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Czech railway company plans exciting connection to Vienna!
Leo Express is planning a rail connection to Vienna with stops in Ottakring and other stations, with operations starting in 2026 at the earliest.
Czech railway company plans exciting connection to Vienna!
The Czech railway company Leo Express plans to expand travel connections to Vienna. Concrete analyzes have been underway for some time and details have already been submitted to the regulatory authority. The company, founded in 2012, aims to provide a connection between Prague and the Austrian capital, as reported by meinbezirk.at. Vienna, as an important hub in Central Europe's rail network, could thus become even easier to reach.
As part of this effort, Leo Express submitted a letter of intent to Eisenbahn-Control GmbH at the end of June. The aim is to set the course for possible routes to Vienna. However, concrete timetables have not yet been announced and Leo Express emphasizes that this is currently just an analysis. Operations could begin no earlier than December 13, 2026, provided the necessary capacity is available.
Route suggestions and driving routes
The routes envisaged by Leo Express would lead from Prague to Vienna via two possible variants: firstly via České Budějovice, Gmünd and on to Bratislava, and secondly via Třeboň, also to Gmünd and then on to Bratislava. Several stops are planned in Vienna, including Heiligenstadt, Ottakring, Meidling, Hauptbahnhof and Grillgasse. At least two connections per day and direction are planned - one in the morning and one in the afternoon, which could make it easier for commuters to travel between the cities.
The trains will consist of six passenger cars, including both 1st and 2nd class. The train is powered by state-of-the-art Vectron railcars of the 193 series from Siemens. In order to obtain approval to operate the new connection, Leo Express must provide detailed information on its planned operations for the first three to five years of operation.
International context and future outlook
Leo Express's efforts are the latest step in the expansion of international rail connections in Central Europe. The company already has a strong presence in the Czech Republic, as well as in Slovakia and Poland, where it operated long-distance transport between Berlin and Stuttgart before the pandemic. In addition, through Renfe's strategic acquisition of 50%, Leo Express has access to resources and licenses for the German market, which further leverages its growth potential. The renfe.com information shows that Leo Express is an important player in the competition for public service obligations in the said countries.
With all of this progress, it should be clear: Leo Express has a good hand when it comes to improving rail connections in the region. The next steps will be crucial for the successful implementation of the connection to Vienna, which should represent an exciting option for travelers.