Belgrade to Budapest Passenger Rail to Launch in December
New cross-border rail service connects Belgrade, Budapest, and Vienna starting December 13, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Europe
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Passenger train services between Belgrade and Budapest are scheduled to resume on December 13, 2026, following a seven-year suspension for modernization. The new connection will feature eight daily departures from Belgrade, with two services extending to Vienna.
Why it matters
The modernization project aims to reduce transit times and improve international connectivity across the region. The launch follows the resumption of freight traffic on the line earlier this year.
Travel times are expected to reach three hours to Budapest and six hours to Vienna, with ticket prices set at approximately EUR 35 and EUR 43 respectively. Trains will reach maximum speeds of 200 km/h on the Serbian section and 160 km/h on the Hungarian section.
The details
Serbian operators will utilize Chinese-built multiple-unit trains for the route, while Hungarian rolling stock will service the direct lines to Vienna. The project, which also includes a target of 21 minutes for border procedures at Kelebia, was financed partially by Chinese loans.
Timeline
Freight traffic resumed on the Budapest-Belgrade line on February 27, 2026.
The government announced its intent to lift loan confidentiality in the summer of 2026.
Passenger train services are scheduled to launch on December 13, 2026.
Travel Outlook
This rail expansion follows a multi-year effort to modernize infrastructure that has historically limited cross-border transit between these European capitals. The connection signals a shift toward faster, high-speed regional travel, bridging gaps between Balkan and Central European rail networks.
Travelers should anticipate a three-hour transit time to Budapest and a six-hour journey to Vienna, with border procedures at Kelebia targeted for 21 minutes. Passengers can expect ticket prices of EUR 35 to Budapest and EUR 43 to Vienna once services commence in December.
The takeaway
The return of this route reopens a vital corridor for international travelers across three major European cities. Passengers looking to book should account for the new transit durations to better manage their cross-border itineraries.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in Europe rail travel.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Daily News Hungary.
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