Leo Express is planning a rail connection to Vienna: What we know!

Leo Express is planning a rail connection to Vienna: What we know!

A new rail adventure could be in the air: The private Czech rail company Leo Express is seriously planning a connection to Vienna. This attractive possibility is becoming more and more concrete as analyzes are currently being carried out to examine its feasibility. Details have already been given regulatory authority presented.

However, Leo Express has not yet communicated any official plans. It should be noted that Vienna is a central hub in Central Europe's rail network and is already served by the ÖBB with long-distance and night trains, as well as by the Westbahn with connections to Munich and the south. Leo Express itself currently offers connections from Prague to Kraków, Žilina, Prešov and Košice.

Connection to Vienna

The intention to set up routes to Vienna was announced at the end of June Rail Control GmbH transmitted. Leo Express suggests two possible routes: one leads from Prague via České Budějovice, Gmünd to Bratislava, the other from Prague via Třeboň, Gmünd also to Bratislava. In Vienna, the Heiligenstadt, Ottakring, Meidling, Hauptbahnhof and Grillgasse stops could be planned.

If everything goes according to plan, operations could start from December 13, 2026 at the earliest, depending on the availability of the necessary capacity. The plan calls for at least two daily connections in each direction - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The trains will consist of six 1st and 2nd class passenger cars, which will be pulled by modern Siemens 193 series Vectron railcars.

Strategic partnerships

The background of the Leo Express company is also interesting: in 2021, the Spanish railway company Renfe acquired 50% of the company. This step not only gives Renfe access to the Czech market, but also strengthens its presence in the Slovak and Polish railway landscape. In addition, the partnership will enable Leo Express to participate in new PSO tenders in these markets.

Leo Express, founded in 2012, has expanded its services beyond the Czech Republic. Before the pandemic, the company operated a long-distance transport service between Berlin and Stuttgart and is now aiming to expand its capacity in the area of ​​public service obligations. Leo Express currently holds PSO contracts in the Czech Republic and, following Renfe's participation, was able to win a 9-year PSO contract in Slovakia for the Bratislava and Komárno route.

It remains to be seen how these ambitious plans will develop. The anticipation of additional rail connections in the region is obvious – there is definitely something in the air! We will continue to monitor the situation and report as soon as there is news.