diff --git a/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.test.tsx b/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.test.tsx
index ad45ea282..69c6c2ffd 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.test.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.test.tsx
@@ -387,6 +387,13 @@ describe('TransportModal', () => {
     expect(screen.queryByPlaceholderText(/e\.g\. Lufthansa/i)).not.toBeInTheDocument();
   });
 
+  it('FE-PLANNER-TRANSMODAL-022b: a trip without start/end dates only offers the manual form', () => {
+    render(<TransportModal {...defaultProps} tripHasDates={false} places={[]} accommodations={[]} />);
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Automated transport' })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.queryByRole('button', { name: 'Manual transport' })).not.toBeInTheDocument();
+    expect(screen.getByPlaceholderText(/e\.g\. Lufthansa/i)).toBeInTheDocument();
+  });
+
   it('FE-PLANNER-TRANSMODAL-023: initialAutomated opens straight in the transit search with the day preset', () => {
     const days = [{ id: 10, trip_id: 1, day_number: 1, date: '2025-06-01', title: 'Day 1' }] as any;
     render(<TransportModal {...defaultProps} days={days} selectedDayId={10} initialAutomated places={[]} accommodations={[]} />);
diff --git a/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.tsx b/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.tsx
index 8a01addaf..725487340 100644
--- a/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.tsx
+++ b/client/src/components/Planner/TransportModal.tsx
@@ -156,11 +156,13 @@ interface TransportModalProps {
   accommodations?: Accommodation[]
   /** Open directly in the Automated public-transit mode (day-header tram button, "change route"). */
   initialAutomated?: boolean
+  /** Transit search needs real dates to depart on, so the Automated mode is hidden on a dateless trip. */
+  tripHasDates?: boolean
   /** Pre-seed the transit search — used by "change route" on an existing journey. */
   transitPrefill?: { from?: PickedPlace | null; to?: PickedPlace | null } | null
 }
 
-export function TransportModal({ isOpen, onClose, onSave, reservation, days, selectedDayId, files = [], onFileUpload, onFileDelete, onOpenExpense, prefill = null, places = [], assignments = {}, accommodations = [], initialAutomated = false, transitPrefill = null }: TransportModalProps) {
+export function TransportModal({ isOpen, onClose, onSave, reservation, days, selectedDayId, files = [], onFileUpload, onFileDelete, onOpenExpense, prefill = null, places = [], assignments = {}, accommodations = [], initialAutomated = false, transitPrefill = null, tripHasDates = true }: TransportModalProps) {
   const { t, locale } = useTranslation()
   const toast = useToast()
   const isBudgetEnabled = useAddonStore(s => s.isEnabled('budget'))
@@ -606,8 +608,10 @@ export function TransportModal({ isOpen, onClose, onSave, reservation, days, sel
       }
     >
       {/* Manual vs Automated creation switch (#1065) — creating only; editing a
-          journey re-enters via "change route" with the switch hidden. */}
-      {!reservation && (
+          journey re-enters via "change route" with the switch hidden. Without
+          trip dates there is nothing to plan a departure against, so Automated
+          is not offered and only the manual form shows. */}
+      {!reservation && tripHasDates && (
         <div className="bg-surface-secondary" style={{ display: 'flex', borderRadius: 11, padding: 3, gap: 2, marginBottom: 14 }}>
           {([['manual', t('transport.modeManual')], ['automated', t('transport.modeAutomated')]] as const).map(([m, label]) => {
             const active = (m === 'automated') === automated
diff --git a/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.test.tsx b/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.test.tsx
index ec5f1d019..89dc4e8ef 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.test.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.test.tsx
@@ -657,6 +657,30 @@ describe('TripPlannerPage', () => {
     });
   });
 
+  describe('FE-PAGE-PLANNER-020b: the transit (tram) action needs trip dates', () => {
+    async function renderWithTripDates(dates: { start_date: string | null; end_date: string | null }) {
+      vi.useFakeTimers();
+      const { trip } = seedTripStore({ id: 42 });
+      seedStore(useTripStore, { trip: { ...trip, ...dates } } as any);
+      renderPlannerPage(42);
+      act(() => { vi.runAllTimers(); });
+      vi.useRealTimers();
+      await waitFor(() => {
+        expect(screen.getByTestId('day-plan-sidebar')).toBeInTheDocument();
+      });
+    }
+
+    it('passes onPlanTransit when the trip has a start and end date', async () => {
+      await renderWithTripDates({ start_date: '2025-06-01', end_date: '2025-06-05' });
+      expect(capturedDayPlanSidebarProps.current.onPlanTransit).toBeInstanceOf(Function);
+    });
+
+    it('omits onPlanTransit — hiding the tram button — when the trip has no dates', async () => {
+      await renderWithTripDates({ start_date: null, end_date: null });
+      expect(capturedDayPlanSidebarProps.current.onPlanTransit).toBeUndefined();
+    });
+  });
+
   describe('FE-PAGE-PLANNER-021: handlePlaceClick covers place selection logic', () => {
     it('calls handlePlaceClick through captured DayPlanSidebar props', async () => {
       vi.useFakeTimers();
diff --git a/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.tsx b/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.tsx
index a4c2a7abd..e365d2dbb 100644
--- a/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.tsx
+++ b/client/src/pages/TripPlannerPage.tsx
@@ -223,6 +223,9 @@ export default function TripPlannerPage(): React.ReactElement | null {
   const meId = useAuthStore(s => s.user?.id ?? -1)
   const displayCurrency = useSettingsStore(s => s.settings.default_currency)
   const costsBase = (displayCurrency || trip?.currency || 'EUR').toUpperCase()
+  // Transit search departs against a real date, so the whole Automated mode —
+  // the day-header tram button and the modal's mode switch — is off without one.
+  const tripHasDates = Boolean(trip?.start_date && trip?.end_date)
   const loadBudgetItems = useTripStore(s => s.loadBudgetItems)
   const [bookingExpense, setBookingExpense] = useState<{ editing: BudgetItem | null; prefill?: ExpensePrefill } | null>(null)
   const openBookingExpense = (req: BookingExpenseRequest) => {
@@ -409,7 +412,7 @@ export default function TripPlannerPage(): React.ReactElement | null {
                   onAddReservation={(dayId) => { setEditingReservation(null); tripActions.setSelectedDay(dayId); setShowReservationModal(true) }}
                   onAddTransport={can('day_edit', trip) ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(false); setShowTransportModal(true) } : undefined}
                   onOpenTransit={(r) => setTransitJourney(r)}
-                  onPlanTransit={can('day_edit', trip) ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(true); setShowTransportModal(true) } : undefined}
+                  onPlanTransit={can('day_edit', trip) && tripHasDates ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(true); setShowTransportModal(true) } : undefined}
                   onEditTransport={can('day_edit', trip) ? (reservation) => { setEditingTransport(reservation); setTransportModalDayId(reservation.day_id ?? null); setShowTransportModal(true) } : undefined}
                   onEditReservation={can('reservation_edit', trip) ? (r) => { setEditingReservation(r); setShowReservationModal(true) } : undefined}
                   onDayDetail={(day) => { setShowDayDetail(day); setSelectedPlaceId(null); selectAssignment(null) }}
@@ -632,7 +635,7 @@ export default function TripPlannerPage(): React.ReactElement | null {
                   </div>
                   <div style={{ flex: 1, overflow: 'auto', paddingBottom: 'env(safe-area-inset-bottom, 0px)' }}>
                     {mobileSidebarOpen === 'left'
-                      ? <DayPlanSidebar tripId={tripId} trip={trip} days={days} places={places} categories={categories} assignments={assignments} selectedDayId={selectedDayId} selectedPlaceId={selectedPlaceId} selectedAssignmentId={selectedAssignmentId} onSelectDay={(id) => { handleSelectDay(id); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onPlaceClick={(placeId, assignmentId) => { handlePlaceClick(placeId, assignmentId) }} onReorder={handleReorder} onReorderDays={handleReorderDays} onAddDay={handleAddDay} onUpdateDayTitle={handleUpdateDayTitle} onAssignToDay={handleAssignToDay} onRouteCalculated={(r) => { if (r) { setRoute([r.coordinates]); setRouteInfo(r) } }} reservations={reservations} visibleConnectionIds={visibleConnections} onToggleConnection={toggleConnection} onAddReservation={(dayId) => { setEditingReservation(null); tripActions.setSelectedDay(dayId); setShowReservationModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onAddTransport={can('day_edit', trip) ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(false); setShowTransportModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} onOpenTransit={(r) => { setTransitJourney(r); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onPlanTransit={can('day_edit', trip) ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(true); setShowTransportModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} onAddPlace={() => { setEditingPlace(null); setShowPlaceForm(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onDayDetail={(day) => { setShowDayDetail(day); setSelectedPlaceId(null); selectAssignment(null) }} onRemoveAssignment={handleRemoveAssignment} onEditPlace={(place, assignmentId) => { setEditingPlace(place); setEditingAssignmentId(assignmentId || null); setShowPlaceForm(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onDeletePlace={(placeId) => handleDeletePlace(placeId)} accommodations={tripAccommodations} routeShown={routeShown} routeProfile={routeProfile} onToggleRoute={() => setRouteShown(v => !v)} onSetRouteProfile={setRouteProfile} onNavigateToFiles={() => { setMobileSidebarOpen(null); handleTabChange('dateien') }} onExpandedDaysChange={setExpandedDayIds} pushUndo={pushUndo} canUndo={canUndo} lastActionLabel={lastActionLabel} onUndo={handleUndo} onEditTransport={can('day_edit', trip) ? (reservation) => { setEditingTransport(reservation); setTransportModalDayId(reservation.day_id ?? null); setShowTransportModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} onEditReservation={can('reservation_edit', trip) ? (r) => { setEditingReservation(r); setShowReservationModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} initialScrollTop={mobilePlanScrollTopRef.current} onScrollTopChange={(top) => { mobilePlanScrollTopRef.current = top }} showRouteToolsWhenExpanded isMobile />
+                      ? <DayPlanSidebar tripId={tripId} trip={trip} days={days} places={places} categories={categories} assignments={assignments} selectedDayId={selectedDayId} selectedPlaceId={selectedPlaceId} selectedAssignmentId={selectedAssignmentId} onSelectDay={(id) => { handleSelectDay(id); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onPlaceClick={(placeId, assignmentId) => { handlePlaceClick(placeId, assignmentId) }} onReorder={handleReorder} onReorderDays={handleReorderDays} onAddDay={handleAddDay} onUpdateDayTitle={handleUpdateDayTitle} onAssignToDay={handleAssignToDay} onRouteCalculated={(r) => { if (r) { setRoute([r.coordinates]); setRouteInfo(r) } }} reservations={reservations} visibleConnectionIds={visibleConnections} onToggleConnection={toggleConnection} onAddReservation={(dayId) => { setEditingReservation(null); tripActions.setSelectedDay(dayId); setShowReservationModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onAddTransport={can('day_edit', trip) ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(false); setShowTransportModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} onOpenTransit={(r) => { setTransitJourney(r); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onPlanTransit={can('day_edit', trip) && tripHasDates ? (dayId) => { setTransportModalDayId(dayId); setEditingTransport(null); setTransitPrefill(null); setTransportModalAutomated(true); setShowTransportModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} onAddPlace={() => { setEditingPlace(null); setShowPlaceForm(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onDayDetail={(day) => { setShowDayDetail(day); setSelectedPlaceId(null); selectAssignment(null) }} onRemoveAssignment={handleRemoveAssignment} onEditPlace={(place, assignmentId) => { setEditingPlace(place); setEditingAssignmentId(assignmentId || null); setShowPlaceForm(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onDeletePlace={(placeId) => handleDeletePlace(placeId)} accommodations={tripAccommodations} routeShown={routeShown} routeProfile={routeProfile} onToggleRoute={() => setRouteShown(v => !v)} onSetRouteProfile={setRouteProfile} onNavigateToFiles={() => { setMobileSidebarOpen(null); handleTabChange('dateien') }} onExpandedDaysChange={setExpandedDayIds} pushUndo={pushUndo} canUndo={canUndo} lastActionLabel={lastActionLabel} onUndo={handleUndo} onEditTransport={can('day_edit', trip) ? (reservation) => { setEditingTransport(reservation); setTransportModalDayId(reservation.day_id ?? null); setShowTransportModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} onEditReservation={can('reservation_edit', trip) ? (r) => { setEditingReservation(r); setShowReservationModal(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) } : undefined} initialScrollTop={mobilePlanScrollTopRef.current} onScrollTopChange={(top) => { mobilePlanScrollTopRef.current = top }} showRouteToolsWhenExpanded isMobile />
                       : <PlacesSidebar tripId={tripId} places={places} categories={categories} assignments={assignments} selectedDayId={selectedDayId} selectedPlaceId={selectedPlaceId} onPlaceClick={(placeId) => { handlePlaceClick(placeId); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onAddPlace={() => { setEditingPlace(null); setShowPlaceForm(true); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onAssignToDay={handleAssignToDay} onEditPlace={(place) => { openPlaceEditor(place); setMobileSidebarOpen(null) }} onDeletePlace={(placeId) => handleDeletePlace(placeId)} onBulkDeletePlaces={(ids) => setDeletePlaceIds(ids)} onBulkDeleteConfirm={(ids) => confirmDeletePlaces(ids)} onBulkChangeCategory={(ids, catId) => confirmChangeCategory(ids, catId)} days={days} isMobile onCategoryFilterChange={setMapCategoryFilter} onPlacesFilterChange={setMapPlacesFilter} pushUndo={pushUndo} initialScrollTop={mobilePlacesScrollTopRef.current} onScrollTopChange={(top) => { mobilePlacesScrollTopRef.current = top }} />
                     }
                   </div>
@@ -736,7 +739,7 @@ export default function TripPlannerPage(): React.ReactElement | null {
       />
       <TripMembersModal isOpen={showMembersModal} onClose={() => setShowMembersModal(false)} tripId={tripId} tripTitle={trip?.title} onMembersChanged={refreshMembers} />
       <ReservationModal isOpen={showReservationModal} onClose={() => { if (importReviewActive) { advanceImportReview() } else { setShowReservationModal(false); setEditingReservation(null); setBookingForAssignmentId(null) } }} onSave={async (data) => { const r = await handleSaveReservation(data); if (importReviewActive && r) advanceImportReview(); return r }} reservation={editingReservation} prefill={reservationPrefill} days={days} places={places} assignments={assignments} selectedDayId={selectedDayId} files={files} onFileUpload={canUploadFiles ? (fd) => tripActions.addFile(tripId, fd) : undefined} onFileDelete={(id) => tripActions.deleteFile(tripId, id)} accommodations={tripAccommodations} defaultAssignmentId={bookingForAssignmentId} onOpenExpense={openBookingExpense} />
-      {showTransportModal && <TransportModal isOpen={showTransportModal} onClose={() => { if (importReviewActive) { advanceImportReview() } else { setShowTransportModal(false); setEditingTransport(null); setTransportModalDayId(null); setTransportModalAutomated(false); setTransitPrefill(null) } }} onSave={async (data) => { const r = await handleSaveTransport(data); if (importReviewActive && r) advanceImportReview(); return r }} reservation={editingTransport} prefill={transportPrefill} days={days} selectedDayId={transportModalDayId} files={files} onFileUpload={canUploadFiles ? (fd) => tripActions.addFile(tripId, fd) : undefined} onFileDelete={(id) => tripActions.deleteFile(tripId, id)} onOpenExpense={openBookingExpense} places={places} assignments={assignments} accommodations={tripAccommodations} initialAutomated={transportModalAutomated} transitPrefill={transitPrefill} />}
+      {showTransportModal && <TransportModal isOpen={showTransportModal} onClose={() => { if (importReviewActive) { advanceImportReview() } else { setShowTransportModal(false); setEditingTransport(null); setTransportModalDayId(null); setTransportModalAutomated(false); setTransitPrefill(null) } }} onSave={async (data) => { const r = await handleSaveTransport(data); if (importReviewActive && r) advanceImportReview(); return r }} reservation={editingTransport} prefill={transportPrefill} days={days} selectedDayId={transportModalDayId} files={files} onFileUpload={canUploadFiles ? (fd) => tripActions.addFile(tripId, fd) : undefined} onFileDelete={(id) => tripActions.deleteFile(tripId, id)} onOpenExpense={openBookingExpense} places={places} assignments={assignments} accommodations={tripAccommodations} initialAutomated={transportModalAutomated} transitPrefill={transitPrefill} tripHasDates={tripHasDates} />}
       {/* Journey view for a saved public-transit entry (#1065) */}
       {transitJourney && (
         <TransitJourneyModal
diff --git a/wiki/Transport-Flights-Trains-Cars.md b/wiki/Transport-Flights-Trains-Cars.md
index d49e551af..11ff0d224 100644
--- a/wiki/Transport-Flights-Trains-Cars.md
+++ b/wiki/Transport-Flights-Trains-Cars.md
@@ -10,6 +10,8 @@ Open the **Transports** tab in the trip planner and click **Add**, or open the p
 
 The **Add transport** dialog has two modes: **Manual transport** (the classic form) and **Automated transport** — a public-transit route search powered by [Transitous](https://transitous.org/), free open data with no API key or paid provider. The **transit button** (tram icon) on each day header opens the dialog straight in the Automated mode. (The rename pencil this button replaced moved next to the day name in the day detail panel.)
 
+The mode switch only appears when the trip has a **start date and an end date** — a transit search needs real dates to depart against. On a trip without dates the dialog opens directly on the manual form; add dates in the trip settings to get the Automated mode back.
+
 - Pick **from** and **to** (stop/station search; the day's own places and hotels appear as quick picks), a **depart/arrive** time, and filter by mode: train, subway, tram, bus, ferry, cable car.
 - Rank the results by **best route**, **fewer transfers**, or **less walking**.
 - Each result shows local departure/arrival times, duration, transfers, walking time and the line badges in their official colors; expand it for the stop-by-stop breakdown.