Luxembourg's national railway operator CFL will carry out an unprecedented series of infrastructure works this summer, causing major disruptions across five key rail corridors between July and September and forcing thousands of passengers onto replacement bus services. Rail links connecting Luxembourg with France, Belgium, and Germany – as well as several domestic routes – will be closed at different times as CFL advance major modernisation projects.
Nearly 200 drivers will operate around 1,000 replacement bus journeys each day to maintain passenger services.
The most significant disruption will affect the Luxembourg City–Thionville–Metz line, which will be completely closed from 16 July to 23 August. The shutdown will allow work to progress on the new Bettembourg–Luxembourg City rail link, upgrades to power supply and signalling systems, and the completion of the Howald transport hub, which is expected to fully open by the end of the year.
Replacement buses will depart from the Rocade stop behind Luxembourg City's central station, with journeys expected to take around 45 minutes longer than usual. Three substitute bus routes, including a direct peak-hour service, will be available.
Southern Luxembourg will also face extensive disruption. Rail services between Luxembourg City and Bettembourg will be suspended from 16 July to 14 August, followed by a closure between Luxembourg City and Esch-sur-Alzette from 15 to 23 August.
CFL will operate several replacement bus routes serving Howald, Bettembourg, Noertzange, Schifflange, and Esch-sur-Alzette, with increased frequencies during peak hours.
Passengers travelling to Rumelange and Noertzange will be directed to the RGTR and TICE bus networks. Services to Volmerange-les-Mines will also be interrupted twice during the summer, with alternative transport provided.
Cross-border passengers travelling to Belgium will also be affected. Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel will renew tracks near the border, resulting in the closure of the Kleinbettingen–Arlon section from 6 to 10 July.
Buses will replace trains, while InterCity services between Brussels and Luxembourg City will operate entirely by road. Additional weekend disruptions are scheduled for 4–5 and 11–12 July, followed by reduced rail services until 9 August.
In northern Luxembourg, CFL will carry out rock face stabilisation and track renewal works between Ettelbruck, Troisvierges, Gouvy, Kautenbach, and Wiltz. From 24 August to 14 September, trains on these routes will be replaced by buses operating at varying frequencies depending on the section and day of the week.
The rail connection with Germany will also be suspended between Luxembourg City and Igel from 24 August to 14 September while more than 11 kilometres of track are renewed and the cross-border section is upgraded in cooperation with DB InfraGo AG. Details of the replacement bus services are expected to be announced by 10 August.
CFL say the extensive programme is essential to modernise Luxembourg's increasingly congested rail network and prepare for major infrastructure projects scheduled for completion by 2027, although passengers should expect significant delays, detours, and longer journey times throughout the summer.
