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

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

A new rail adventure could be in the air: the private Czech railway company Leo Express is seriously planning a connection to Vienna. This attractive option always takes on more concrete forms, since analyzes are currently being carried out to check the feasibility. Details have already been presented with the Regulatory authority So far, Leo Express has not yet communicated official plans. It should be noted that Vienna is a central hub in the Central Europe rail network and is already approached by the ÖBB with long-distance and night trains as well as from the Western Railway to Munich and south. Leo Express itself currently offers connection options from Prague to Krakow, Žilina, Prešov and Košice.

connection to Vienna

The intention of setting up routes to Vienna was sent to the Schienen-Control GmbH . 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 intended.

If everything goes according to plan, the company could start at the earliest from December 13, 2026, depending on the availability of the necessary capacities. The plan provides for at least two daily connections per direction - one in the morning and one in the afternoon. The trains are said to consist of six passenger cars of the 1st and 2nd grade, which are drawn from Siemens from the modern Vectron drives in the 193 series.

strategic partnerships

The background of the Leo Express company is also interesting: in 2021 the Spanish railway company Rennfe acquired 50% of the company. This step not only opens up access to the Czech market, but also increases its presence in the Slovak and Polish railway landscape. In addition, Leo Express can take part in new PSO advertisements in these markets through the partnership.

Leo Express, founded in 2012, has expanded its services beyond the Czech Republic. Before the pandemic, the company operated a long -distance service between Berlin and Stuttgart and is now aiming to expand its capacities in the area of public service obligations. Leo Express currently holds PSO contracts in the Czech Republic and, after the participation of Renfe, 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 for additional rail connections in the region is obvious - there is definitely something in the air! We will continue to observe and report the situation as soon as there is news.