Germany: Warning Strikes Hit Regional Buses and Trains in Two States

October 1, 2026 — The verdi union is holding warning strikes at regional transport companies in two German states this week. A five-day bus strike in four northern cities was called off after a pay deal. Deutsche Bahn’s national services are not on strike.

Baden-Württemberg: SWEG, Wednesday September 30 to Friday October 2

Buses: affected around Weil am Rhein, Müllheim, Endingen, Emmendingen, Lahr, Offenburg, Schutterwald, Kehl, Gammertingen, Wiesloch, Sinsheim, Dörzbach and Lauda-Königshofen. School transport is cancelled.
No trains on these lines:
- Bad Krozingen–Münstertal
- Achern–Ottenhöfen
- Biberach–Oberharmersbach
- Hechingen–Gammertingen
Also affected: Endingen–Gottenheim and Gammertingen–Engstingen–Schelklingen.
Shorter trains: possible around Tübingen, Hechingen, Albstadt, Sigmaringen, Aalen, Munderkingen and Ulm.

North Rhine-Westphalia: Thursday, October 1 (full day)

Operators on strike: Mindener Kreisbahnen, MKB-MühlenkreisBus (Minden-Lübbecke district), Wanne-Herner Eisenbahn und Hafen, ETZ and RheinCargo.
Scale: this is not a statewide transit strike.
Next talks: October 5.

Called off

Northern bus strike averted: verdi and employers reached a pay deal on September 29. The planned five-day bus strike in Kiel, Lübeck, Neumünster and Flensburg (September 30 to October 4) will not go ahead.
Deutsche Bahn: no strike is under way. Talks with the GDL and EVG unions are continuing.

What it means for airline travelers

Arriving at Basel-Mulhouse, Stuttgart or Strasbourg? If you were heading into the Black Forest or southern Baden on Friday, check SWEG and DB Regio connections before you set out. Plan a rental car or taxi for rural legs.
Long-distance trains run normally. DB ICE and IC services are not affected, so they are the most reliable way between major cities this week.
Watch the October 5 talks. NRW negotiations resume that day, and more warning strikes could follow at short notice.