Brenner Railway: Closure and Rail Replacement Service in Summer 2026

Anyone wanting to travel by train over the Brenner Pass towards South Tyrol or Italy in summer 2026 will need to replan their journey. Due to construction work on the Italian side of the Brenner railway line, there will be significant restrictions to long-distance and regional services from mid-July to early August. The ÖBB (Austrian Federal Railways) is also using this Italian maintenance window for urgent renovations on the Austrian section. For travelers, this mainly means rail replacement services by bus, longer journey times, and restrictions on bicycle transport. Anyone driving over the Brenner Pass instead should expect more traffic on the A13 and keep the toll rules for the Brenner motorway in mind.

What's happening on the Brenner line?

The Brenner railway is one of Europe's most important north-south connections. Numerous long-distance and regional trains use the route between Austria and Italy every day, with many travelers going between Innsbruck and Bolzano or further towards Verona and Munich. Upcoming renovation work in Italy means that long-distance rail traffic between Innsbruck and Bolzano will be unable to run, or only run with restrictions, during a tight time window. According to ÖBB spokesperson Christoph Gasser-Mair, the ÖBB is using this window to bundle necessary construction work on the Austrian side, rather than spreading it out over several months.

This affects not only vacation travelers but also commuters in the Wipptal and Inn Valley who travel daily between Tyrol and South Tyrol. Rail freight traffic will also be extensively rerouted during this period. This can mean longer transport routes and higher utilization of other corridors.

Timeline: When which trains will be cancelled

The restrictions occur in several phases, which differ in terms of planning. From July 17, 2026, two out of five daily long-distance connections between Innsbruck and Bolzano will already be affected. Anyone traveling over the Brenner Pass on these days with the Nightjet, Eurocity, or other long-distance trains should check before booking whether the desired connection is still running.

From July 18 to August 1, 2026, long-distance rail traffic on the Innsbruck–Bolzano section will be completely suspended. Instead, the ÖBB will set up rail replacement bus service between the provincial capitals of Innsbruck and Bolzano. As a result, the journey will generally take significantly longer than by train, and connections should be planned with a larger time buffer.

In regional traffic, from July 18, entry into Brenner station will not be possible due to the Italian construction sites. Regional trains will therefore only run as far as, or from, Gries near the Brenner, so that commuters no longer need to change trains at the Brenner itself. For passengers who need to reach the Brenner, replacement buses will operate between Steinach and Brenner.

From July 23 to August 1, 2026, the section from Innsbruck to the Brenner Pass will also be closed for construction work. Regional rail replacement service will then run between Innsbruck Main Station and Brenner station. In South Tyrol, replacement bus service is also planned between Brenner and Bressanone.

What the ÖBB is renovating on the Austrian side

In addition to the Italian works, the ÖBB is carrying out its own renovations during the same phase. According to the railway, the topographically challenging location, snow, frost, and increasing traffic volume have left clear marks on the route. Specifically, frost damage in the Mühltal tunnel is to be repaired. At the same time, maintenance of the track systems is planned in the area between Patsch and Brenner during this period. The ÖBB is thus deliberately using a shared maintenance window to avoid longer individual closures later on.

Bicycles, luggage, and freight traffic

Anyone traveling by bicycle should pay particular attention to the closure phase. According to ÖBB, bicycle transport is not possible on long-distance services. On regional services, bicycle transport on the replacement buses is only possible to a limited extent. Anyone planning a cycling trip over the Brenner Pass should consider alternative routes or different travel times.

The rerouting of trains on the Brenner axis for this period has already been known for some time in freight transport, meaning that shipments are being extensively shifted to alternative routes. For road traffic, this can indirectly mean that more trucks are using alternative routes when rail capacity is lacking.

Effects on drivers crossing the Brenner Pass

Many travelers switch to driving during such periods. The Brenner motorway (A13) remains the most important road connection for transit between Austria and Italy. During the summer holidays and while the railway is closed, additional traffic and risk of congestion can be expected there, especially on weekends and during peak travel times.

Anyone using the A13 is driving on a special toll route. For cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes up to 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass (technically permissible total mass without occupants, field F.1 in the vehicle registration document), the route toll (also called special toll) applies on the entire Brenner motorway instead of the digital vignette. Likewise, for vehicles over 3.5 t technically permissible maximum mass, the route toll applies instead of the distance-based toll. The Europabrücke (Europe Bridge) near Innsbruck is also part of the Brenner tunnel route toll. Detailed information on the meaning of the special toll and on the Brenner (A13) can be found in our guide.

While the Brenner Pass itself is subject to a special toll, access to the A13 via the Inntal motorway A12 requires a vignette for most travelers coming from Germany or Austria. Anyone coming from Innsbruck or Kufstein will therefore generally need a valid vignette for the connecting routes in addition to the route toll. If the technically permissible maximum mass exceeds 3.5 t, the vignette does not apply, and instead the distance-based toll applies. To pay the distance-based toll, you will then need a GO-Box (electronic transmission device). We explain the details of all toll types in our guide Toll in Austria.

Travel planning: train, bus, or car?

Anyone traveling over the Brenner Pass during the closure phase from July 17 to August 1, 2026, should book early and check the current timetables of ÖBB and the Italian railway. With replacement bus services, it's worth allowing extra time for changes, especially with luggage or children. Those who are flexible can choose travel dates outside the main window or travel early in the morning or during the week, when traffic is often lighter.

Drivers should check traffic reports and congestion reports for the A13 and the Brenner road (SS12) in Italy before departure. Anyone wanting to avoid traffic jams can consider extensive alternative routes, such as via the Reschen Pass, the Felbertauern road, or the Tauern motorway corridor, although traffic strain can also be expected there during peak season. Our route planner helps with route planning and shows which toll products apply on your route.

The Europamaut team wishes you a pleasant journey!

Whether by train, bus, or car: anyone who plans ahead for the Brenner closure in summer 2026 will reach their destination more relaxed with good preparation. For the vignette requirement on motorways in Austria, you can conveniently get the 10-day vignette flat rate online from us. If you have any questions, you can reach us at any time by email.