Innotrans 2026

Rail, city, spectacle – what makes InnoTrans special?

InnoTrans is the world’s leading trade fair for transport technology – with a clear focus on rail and public transport systems. Every two years, it transforms the grounds of Messe Berlin into a huge laboratory for the mobility of tomorrow.

2024 was already a record year: Around 170,000 visitors from more than 120 countries met nearly 3,000 exhibitors from 59 countries, who completely filled the halls, outdoor area and track facilities.

In 2026, the fair celebrates its 30th anniversary and enters its 15th edition – once again as the leading trade fair branded “THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY” for everything that moves on rails, in tunnels or in urban public transport.

Save the Date: InnoTrans 2026 at a glance

InnoTrans takes place from Tuesday, September 22, to Friday, September 25, 2026 at the ExpoCenter City exhibition grounds, Messedamm 22, 14055 in Berlin.

Opening hours:
- Sept. 22–24: 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Sept. 25: 9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Target audience: trade visitors only – a B2B event, not a traditional public Saturday.

The entire exhibition grounds will be used: 42 halls, a huge outdoor and track area with around 3.5 kilometers of track, and the Bus Display in the summer garden.

Rail meets Future – the key topics & segments

In terms of content, InnoTrans is divided into five major exhibition segments that together cover the entire value chain of transport technology:

Railway Technology – everything related to rail vehicles: multiple units, locomotives, drive technology, components, bogies, brakes and the associated onboard systems.
Railway Infrastructure – tracks, switches, superstructure, signaling and safety technology, as well as construction and maintenance machinery for a stable and efficient network.
Public Transport – solutions for urban and regional mobility: trams, metros, e-buses, ticketing, Mobility-as-a-Service and integrated public transport concepts.
Interiors incl. Travel Catering & Comfort Services (TCCS) – vehicle equipment, interior design, lighting, climate control, safety and design; complemented by everything that makes the travel experience on board more comfortable – from onboard catering to service trolleys and tableware to textiles, amenities and hygiene solutions.
Tunnel Construction – tunnel boring machines, construction, safety technology, communication, maintenance and consulting for underground projects.

Within the Interiors segment, TCCS (Travel Catering & Comfort Services) plays a special role: here the fair focuses on products and services related to catering, comfort and service quality on trains. The goal is to make train travel so pleasant that it becomes even more attractive in competition with cars, long-distance buses and airplanes.

In addition, there are new focus areas such as Mobility+, which builds bridges to the wider mobility ecosystem, as well as the InnoTrans Campus for young talent and professionals.

A real unique selling point is the outdoor and track area: complete trains, locomotives, double-deck cars, measuring vehicles or service vehicles stand on several kilometers of track – all accessible, photographable and ready for live demos.

AI, Innovation & New Mobility

InnoTrans is no longer just a hardware show, but is strongly shaped by digitalization & AI. You should keep two formats on your radar:

The AI Mobility Lab is a dedicated exhibition and stage area where companies showcase AI-based solutions for mobility: from predictive maintenance to fleet management and traffic forecasting to cybersecurity, robotics and data protection topics related to smart mobility. Talks, demos and pitches also take place here, demonstrating how AI can make the operation of rail and public transport systems more efficient and safer.
The new hackathon “AI on Track” is an independent supporting program format. Here, interdisciplinary teams work on specific industry challenges – for example, optimizing timetables, capacity forecasting, disruption management or energy efficiency using AI. The result is prototypes, pitches and often contacts that turn into real projects.

Together, AI Mobility Lab and “AI on Track” form something like the “AI hub” of InnoTrans: exhibition space, stage and laboratory for data-driven mobility solutions.

Who should definitely have InnoTrans 2026 in their calendar?

InnoTrans is a must-attend event if you:

work in rail vehicle manufacturing, infrastructure or components,
are involved with transport companies, public transport operators or transport associations,
prepare decisions in the public sector, transport ministry or at contracting authorities,
address mobility topics as a consultant, investor, start-up or IT service provider,
are a student or young professional heading toward railway, mobility or infrastructure.

Thanks to its international focus, you’ll meet practically the entire industry in four days: manufacturers, suppliers, operators, policymakers, associations and research institutions – from major players to highly specialized niche providers.

A day at InnoTrans

In the morning, you start in one of the large halls with a coffee and the plan to “quickly” walk through Railway Technology – and realize after an hour that you’ve only covered half a hall.

Then you head out to the outdoor area: you board new multiple units, examine driver’s cabs, passenger information systems or new entrances in detail, take photos and arrange to meet colleagues at the next vehicle. In between, you sit on one of the outdoor stages for a talk on hydrogen trains or digital capacity management.

In the afternoon, many switch to the InnoTrans Convention, client meetings or the business lounge. Strategic topics are discussed there, collaborations are initiated and projects are developed further. Toward evening, you automatically end up networking: stand receptions, association events or spontaneous gatherings in the City Center – perhaps even very close to one of our hotels (feel free to read the following section)?

In short: a day at InnoTrans is packed – and that’s exactly why it’s worth paying attention to good connections and restful balance when choosing your hotel.

Arrive well, sleep well in our five little BIG hotels

The ExpoCenter City exhibition grounds are located in the west of the city at the Funkturm. With the S-Bahn (Messe Süd / Westkreuz), U2 (Kaiserdamm, Theodor-Heuss-Platz) or bus, you’ll get there quickly – and just as quickly back to your favorite neighborhood in the evening. This is where our five properties come in:

The fjord hotel berlin is quietly located on a side street near Potsdamer Platz. From here, you can quickly reach the fair or Charlottenburg via the U2 or S-Bahn, while also having short distances to the city center for dinner, drinks or a walk in the Tiergarten.
At LINDEMANN´S on Potsdamer Straße, you’ll stay right in the heart of urban life between City West and Kreuzberg. Bus and U-Bahn will get you to the exhibition grounds in about 20–30 minutes, while in the evening you have galleries, bars and restaurants practically on your doorstep.
the YARD in Kreuzberg is your boutique retreat with courtyard and spa. Ideal if you spend hours walking around the exhibition grounds during the day and want to relax in the spa, by the Landwehrkanal or in the neighborhood in the evening – without sacrificing good public transport connections to the fair.
With CALMA Berlin Mitte, you’re right in the heart of exciting Berlin-Mitte, yet in a quiet courtyard: short distance to Hackescher Markt, Museum Island, trendy bars and restaurants. You can comfortably take the S-Bahn to InnoTrans via Friedrichstraße or Hauptbahnhof toward Westkreuz/Messe Süd – combining trade fair business with capital city flair.
Anna 1908 in the southwest is perfect if you prefer things a bit quieter and more charming. From here, you can quickly reach the fair via S-Bahn and U-Bahn, while staying in a classic Berlin old-building neighborhood – ideal for longer stays or if you’re looking for a kind of “home base” with colleagues.

Whichever little BIG Hotel you choose: you’ll get a mix of relaxed design, personal atmosphere and good connections – exactly what you need after an InnoTrans day full of meetings, innovations and kilometers on the meter. In addition, you’ll receive a 5% discount for all overnight stays between Sept. 21–26, 2026 with the code LBH_IT26

Tickets, travel & planning – how to make your InnoTrans trip relaxed

Tickets for InnoTrans 2026 are available from March in the fair’s official online shop. There are day and season tickets for trade visitors; it’s often worth checking early-bird allocations.

For travel, the train is recommended: from Hauptbahnhof, you can quickly reach the City West corridor (Zoologischer Garten, Charlottenburg, Westkreuz) via S-Bahn, U-Bahn or regional train and continue to the fair. Those arriving by plane land at BER and travel from there by FEX or regional train in about 30 minutes to the city and then on to ExpoCenter City.

Two or three practical tips:

Check the hall and site map beforehand – otherwise you’ll easily get lost among 40+ halls and the outdoor area.
Plan for comfortable shoes, power bank and water bottle – the trade fair days are long.
Schedule appointments early: Many decision-makers plan their agenda weeks before the fair; the earlier you inquire, the easier it is to find slots.

Then nothing stands in the way of your visit to InnoTrans 2026 in Berlin – with plenty of rail innovation on the grounds and a little BIG bed you can relax into in the evening.