Border Crossings: France - Germany

(Thionville -) Apach (Moselle) SNCF - Perl DB (- Trier)

[E*] DB operates freight to Apach using dual-frequency electric locomotives. Regular passenger services terminate short of the border, SNCF at Apach and DB at Perl. A limited cross-border passenger service operates at weekends, comprising two round trips from Metz to Trier, operated by SNCF. On 4 April 2019 Grand Est and Rheinland-Pfalz announced that they were working on plans to improve the service by 2024. In December 2021 Grand Est issued an invitation to tender for a two-hourly Trier – Perl – Metz service, running every day, to begin on 8 December 2024.

(Bouzonville -) Guerstling SNCF - Niedaltdorf DB (- Dillingen (Saar))

[D] Freight only. DB operates a passenger service between Dillingen (Saar) and Niedaltdorf. Regular cross-border freight ceased in 2013 and the line in Germany was up for sale or closure, but it has been reprieved as part of the general moratorium on line closures in Germany. A shuttle service has operated for a number of years on Good Friday from Dillingen (Saar) in conjunction with the market at Bouzonville - see Niedaltdorf – Bouzonville for details and train timings.

(Bouzonville -) Hargarten-Falck SNCF - Überherrn DB (- Völklingen)

Line closed.

Reumaux HBL - Merlebach Nord HBL

[D] This line is part of the Houillères du Bassin de Lorraine system, a network serving the remaining mining industry in the area. The unadvertised passenger service over this line has ceased.

(Forbach -) Stiring-Wendel SNCF - Saarbrücken DB

[E*] DB ICE trains run between Frankfurt and Paris via this route. SNCF diesel multiple-units are used on local trains. Most freight trains use DB dual-frequency electric locomotives.

Sarreguemines SNCF - Hanweiler-Bad Rilchingen DB (- Saarbrücken)

[E] Stadtbahn Saar GmbH works a light rapid transit system between Sarreguemines and Saarbrücken, using DB and SNCF tracks south from Brebach. The through workings between Strasbourg and Saarbrücken are operated by SNCF diesel multiple-units. The line between Sarreguemines and Saarbrücken is electrified at the German standard 15kV 16.7Hz.

Wissembourg SNCF - Schweighofen DB (- Winden (Pfalz))

[D] DB works to Wissembourg. In December 2021, Grand Est issued an invitation to tender for an hourly Neustadt (Weinstr.) – Wissembourg – Haugenau – Strasbourg service, to begin in December 2024.

Lauterbourg SNCF - Berg DB (- Wörth (Rhein))

[D] DB works to Lauterbourg. In December 2021, Grand Est issued an invitation to tender for an hourly Karlsruhe – Wörth (Rhein) – Lauterbourg – Strasbourg service, to begin in December 2024.

Roeschwoog SNCF - Wintersdorf DB (- Rastatt)

Line Closed.

Strasbourg SNCF - Kehl DB

[E*] SNCF dual-system TGVs work between Paris/Marseille and various stations in Germany. DB multi-system ICEs work between Paris and Stuttgart/Frankfurt (Main). The regular local trains between Strasbourg and Offenburg are operated by Ortenau S-Bahn GmbH with RegioShuttle diesel railcars.

Strasbourg CTS: Port du Rhin - Kehl Bahnhof

[E] Tram line D of the Compagnie des Transports Strasbourgeois was extended across the river Rhin (Rhine), to Kehl Bahnhof on 29 April 2017. The line was further extended to Kehl Rathaus on 23 November 2018.

(Mulhouse -) Bantzenheim SNCF - Neuenburg (Baden) DB (- Müllheim (Baden))

[E*] SNCF works freight to Neuenburg (Baden) using dual-frequency electric locomotives. A full passenger service using SNCF diesel units replaced the former seasonal service from 9 December 2012. A through TGV between Paris and Freiburg im Breisgau was introduced in August 2013, but this service now runs via Kehl.

See also

• Border Crossings - General Information