Czech rail company Leo Express has launched a new direct train service spanning 807 miles (1,300km), one of Europe's longest rail routes, with tickets starting at just €10 (£8.65). The service connects Przemyśl, a city on the Polish-Ukrainian border, to Frankfurt Airport in Germany, operating once daily in both directions.
Route Details and Schedule
Train 232 departs Przemyśl at 1:31pm local time and arrives at Frankfurt Airport the following day at 7:53am. The return service, Train 235, leaves Frankfurt at 8:27am and reaches Przemyśl at 2:23am the next day. The entire journey takes approximately 18 hours.
The route is designed with Frankfurt Airport's international flight schedule in mind, providing seamless connections for travelers. According to Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express, the service 'removes the iron curtains between Western and Eastern Europe, connecting important European centers and providing access to Ukraine.'
Onboard Amenities
Trains feature modernized express coaches equipped with air conditioning, power outlets, food and drink service, and WiFi. Dedicated bicycle sections and a kids' zone with a children's menu and activities are also available. Currently, tickets are sold without seat reservations, but from January 2027, reservations and a business class offering will be introduced.
Market Impact and Background
Nick Brooks, Secretary General of ALLRAIL, praised the launch as 'a clear example of railway market reform working in practice,' adding that 'economically viable long-distance commercial rail connections are exactly what the Open Access regime should deliver.'
Leo Express first entered the European rail market in 2012, primarily connecting Czechia with Slovakia and Poland. The company also offers feeder bus connections to Ukraine. This new route marks Leo Express's first foray into Germany.
