Deutsche Bahn has closed the railway between Frankfurt-Höchst and Mainz-Kostheim, on the Wiesbaden side, so that a new signal box can be built. The S1 suburban train is already out of service on this stretch, and from Friday evening regional trains to and from Frankfurt are also cancelled or diverted.
What happened
According to hessenschau, the public broadcaster for the state of Hesse, Deutsche Bahn will close the section between Mainz-Kostheim (Wiesbaden) and Frankfurt-Höchst several times over the coming weeks. The first closure lasts about a week.
The S1 was originally due to stop running later, but its trains have been cancelled since 5am on Friday. Rail replacement buses run in its place. hessenschau reports that the town of Hattersheim in the Main-Taunus-Kreis (Main-Taunus district) told residents about the earlier start before it happened. The line is due to close completely from 9pm, which means the regional lines RB10, RE4 and RE14 will also be partly cancelled or sent on other routes.
Deutsche Bahn says the closure is needed to install an elektronisches Stellwerk (electronic signal box) in Flörsheim in the Main-Taunus district. Cables have to be laid and signals built. The company will also use the closures for work at Hochheim station and on the Regionaltangente West, a new rail link being built in the west of the Frankfurt area.
What it means for you
If you commute between Frankfurt and Wiesbaden or Mainz, or live in towns such as Hattersheim, Flörsheim or Hochheim, these are the dates to plan around, as reported by hessenschau:
- Until 5am on 24 October: the line is fully closed.
- 24 to 29 October: the line closes at night only.
- After that, until 4am on 21 November: the line is fully closed again.
S-Bahn S1
S1 trains do not serve the stops between Frankfurt-Höchst and Wiesbaden Hbf (Hauptbahnhof, the main station). Two replacement bus lines run instead:
- S1E calls at every stop.
- S1X is an express bus that calls only at Wiesbaden Hbf, Hattersheim, Frankfurt-Sindlingen, Frankfurt-Höchst Farbwerke and Frankfurt-Höchst.
During the Hochheimer Markt, a traditional fair in Hochheim, from 6 to 10 November inclusive, extra replacement buses will run and serve extra stops.
Regional trains
The RB10 Rheingau line runs once an hour. Between Mainz-Kastel and Frankfurt Hbf it is diverted via Rüsselsheim and does not stop there. At night some trains go via Mainz Hbf instead, and these do stop. The extra trains that normally run between the hourly ones are cancelled between Wiesbaden Hbf and Frankfurt Hbf, including on 24 and 25 October.
On the RE4 and RE14, some trains between Frankfurt Hbf and Mainz Hbf or Worms Hbf are cancelled. hessenschau says the changes depend on the day of the week and the time of day, so check your own connection before every trip.
What to watch next
hessenschau reports that commuters face more disruption at the end of November. From 19 to 26 November, Deutsche Bahn plans to replace points (Weichen) at Frankfurt-Höchst station. The effects:
- The RB10 is partly cancelled on 20 November and on 25 and 26 November, and fully cancelled on 21 and 22 November.
- The RE4 and RE14 do not run between Frankfurt Hbf and Mainz Hbf on 21 and 22 November or on 25 and 26 November.
- The S1 and S2 run to a changed timetable (Takt) until 26 November.
- The S2 does not run between Frankfurt-Höchst and Niedernhausen from 9pm to 4am. Replacement buses run instead.
- The RB12 does not run between Frankfurt-Höchst and Frankfurt Hbf.
The S1 closure has already started earlier than first announced, so check the latest information from Deutsche Bahn or your local transport provider before you set off, especially for late-evening and night journeys.
Source: hessenschau
Sources
- hessenschau: Bahn sperrt Strecke zwischen Frankfurt und Wiesbaden – S1 fährt nicht mehr, accessed 16 October 2026
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