ÖBB to restore direct Vienna-Belgrade rail link in 2027

Austrian Federal Railways (ÖBB) has announced plans to re-establish a direct rail connection between Vienna and Belgrade in 2027, marking the return of the service for the first time since 2019. The new schedule aims to provide two daily departures in each direction, with an estimated travel time of approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

The implementation of this service depends on obtaining necessary transit permits to use the railway lines through Hungary. While the new European winter timetable is set to take effect on December 13, 2026, the exact start date for the Belgrade route remains unconfirmed. Hungarian Transport Minister David Vitázy recently noted that testing on the high-speed section from Budapest to the Serbian border has been completed, suggesting service could potentially begin as early as the second half of December.

This restoration is part of a broader expansion of ÖBB’s international services, which includes planned new connections to Germany, Italy, and Slovakia. The Vienna-Belgrade line is expected to serve as a vital link for tourism, business, and the Serbian diaspora traveling between the two capitals.