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Belgrade–Budapest high-speed railway
Serbia, Hungary and China
About Belgrade–Budapest high-speed railway
The rebuilt railway between Belgrade and Budapest, a joint project of Serbia, Hungary and China agreed in 2015, is bringing the two capitals within about three hours of each other.
The back story
Serbia’s railway age began on this route. The first train from Belgrade, in 1884, crossed the Sava to Zemun and ran on into Austria-Hungary, and for more than a century the line north through Novi Sad and Subotica was the country’s link to Central Europe. By the 2010s, though, it had decayed so badly that the trip to Budapest took around eight hours, and some sections allowed only walking pace.
In 2014 and 2015 Serbia, Hungary and China agreed to rebuild the whole 350 km line as part of China’s cooperation with Central and Eastern Europe, financed mainly by loans from China’s Export–Import Bank and built by Chinese contractors with Serbian and Hungarian partners.
The line has transformed travel in northern Serbia, putting Novi Sad within easy reach for a day trip.
Serbia’s section
The Serbian section is complete. Soko high-speed trains have run from Belgrade Centre to Novi Sad since March 2022, in about 36 minutes, and on to Subotica near the Hungarian border since October 2025, at up to 200 km/h. The line has transformed travel in northern Serbia, putting Novi Sad within easy reach for a day trip.
Hungary and the last link
Hungary has rebuilt its section of about 150 km from the border at Kelebija to Budapest for up to 160 km/h, and freight trains already use it. In October 2026 Hungary’s transport minister said tests were complete and that international passenger trains were expected in December 2026, though opening dates have slipped before. With border checks carried out on board, Belgrade to Budapest is planned to take about three hours.
For travellers
Soko trains need a seat reservation, which you can buy at the station or on the Srbijavoz website. Tickets for the through service are expected to cost around €32 each way (about €64 return), though fares have not yet been confirmed. Once it starts, Belgrade and Budapest will make one of the easiest two-capital trips in Europe.
Why it's on our list
- Belgrade–Novi Sad in about 36 minutes
- Belgrade–Budapest planned in about 3 hours
- International trains expected December 2026
- Expected fare around €32 each way, not yet confirmed
Where it stands
Serbian section: Srbijavoz. Hungarian section: statements by Hungary’s transport minister, October 2026.
Open now · 3
Belgrade–Novi Sad, since March 2022, Novi Sad–Subotica–Hungarian border, since October 2025, Soko trains at up to 200 km/h, seat reservation required
Coming next · 3
Hungarian section to Budapest, rebuilt for 160 km/h, Domestic Hungarian trains first, then international trains, expected December 2026, Belgrade–Budapest in about three hours, border checks on board
Partners · 3
Serbia and Hungary, with China, Mainly financed by loans from China’s Export–Import Bank, Built by Chinese contractors with Hungarian and Serbian partners
Listings, fees and opening hours change, so please contact Belgrade–Budapest high-speed railway directly before you visit.
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