Madonna on stage
Photo: Getty Images for MTV/ViacomCBS, Theo Wargo. All rights reserved.
On Wednesday evening (November 15th), Madonna will play the first of four German concerts on her “The Celebration Tour” in Cologne’s Lanxess Arena. Anyone traveling by train could have a difficult time getting home – because a nationwide strike would have a massive impact on regional and long-distance transport.
The German Locomotive Drivers’ Union (GDL) announced for November 15th and November 16th. a warning strike. This starts on Wednesday evening at 10 p.m. and ends Thursday evening at 6 p.m.
Information about S-Bahn and regional trains
As the “Rheinische Post” reports, both regional trains and S-Bahn trains are affected. Replacement buses should be used. Some S-Bahn trains should run at least once an hour. These include the lines S1 (Dortmund-Solingen), S6 (Essen-Cologne), S8 (Hagen-Mönchengladbach) and S19 (Düren-Au an der Sieg). Some regional trains also maintain at least a 60 or 120 minute frequency. Alternatively, you can travel by car: concert goers can use the parking garages P1 to P4, the bus parking lot P5 and the Köln-Arcaden parking garage.
Deutsche Bahn said in a statement that the GDL strike would have a “massive impact on all German rail operations”.
Madonna: “The Celebration Tour”
The pop megastar arrived in the city on the Rhine the day before in the pouring rain. The musician is playing another concert in Cologne the following day, and two Berlin concerts are on the program at the end of November.
The tour dates:
Wed. November 15th, 2023 Cologne Lanxess Arena
Thu. November 16th, 2023 Cologne Lanxess Arena – additional date
Tue. November 28th, 2023 Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena
Wed. November 29th, 2023 Berlin Mercedes-Benz Arena – additional date