The Belgrade–Budapest high-speed train

When does the train start?

The line between Belgrade and Budapest has been rebuilt as a modern, fast railway. The Serbian section, from Belgrade through Novi Sad to Subotica near the border, is finished, and fast trains already run on it every day.

In Hungary, the line from the border at Kelebia to Budapest has also been rebuilt, and freight trains already use it. In October 2026, Hungary’s transport minister said that domestic passenger trains on the Hungarian section could start in the second half of October, with international trains between the two capitals expected in December 2026.

The opening date has moved several times before, so treat December as the target rather than a promise. We will update this page as soon as the first timetable and tickets are published.

Journey time, speed and trains

Planned journey times quoted for direct trains range from about 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours 15 minutes. The fastest timings depend on the final timetable, the number of stops and the time needed at the border.

• Belgrade to Subotica: about 1 hour 10 to 1 hour 20 minutes on the new Serbian line
• Design speed: up to 200 km/h in Serbia and 160 km/h in Hungary
• Today, without a through train, the trip takes most of a day, with changes at Subotica and Szeged

Passports and the border

Hungary is part of the EU and the Schengen area, so this is an external Schengen border. For passenger trains, border checks are planned at Kelebia station on the Hungarian side, with Serbian and Hungarian officers working together, so you should not need to leave the train for long.

Carry your passport or ID card, and check the entry rules for your nationality before you travel, as visitors from outside the EU are registered when they enter the Schengen area.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets for international trains have not gone on sale yet, and fares have not been announced. Sales are expected through the national rail companies of both countries, so watch their websites and apps.

• From Belgrade: Srbijavoz, the Serbian passenger railway (srbijavoz.rs and its app), which already sells tickets for the fast trains to Novi Sad and Subotica
• From Budapest: MÁV, the Hungarian railway (mavcsoport.hu and the MÁV app)
• Today: buy each leg separately, Belgrade to Subotica with Srbijavoz, then the cross-border train to Szeged and on to Budapest

The stations

In Belgrade, the fast trains use Beograd Centar, the modern station at Prokop, south of the city centre. Taxis wait outside, and city buses link it with the centre; remember that public transport in Belgrade is free. The old town is a short taxi ride away.

In Budapest, the terminal for the new international trains will be confirmed with the timetable. Budapest’s main stations all connect with the metro, and the city is easy to explore on foot and by tram.

Belgrade essentials →   Getting around Belgrade →

Arriving in Belgrade

Coming from Budapest? Start with our favourite neighbourhoods: Dorćol for cafés and creative restaurants, Savamala for riverside life, the old town and Kalemegdan for the fortress at sunset, and Belgrade Waterfront for the promenade on the Sava.

Dorćol →   Savamala →   Where to eat →   Where to stay →

Onward through the Balkans

The new line is part of a much older idea: a fast railway corridor from Central Europe through Belgrade towards the south of the Balkans and Greece. For now, Belgrade is the place to change from rail to the road or a short flight onwards.

Our sister guides to Budapest and Athens are already live, and more ULTIMATE city guides across the region are coming soon.

ULTIMATE Budapest City Guide →   ULTIMATE Athens City Guide →

Questions and answers