New budget train connecting Germany, Czechia and Poland

A new train service operated by Leo Express is now connecting four German cities to Czechia and Poland. Here’s what prospective passengers need to know:

Leo Express hits the tracks in Germany

From June 25, 2026, a new train service will connect Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt, Offenbach, Hanau, Fulda, Erfurt, Eisenach, Gotha, Weimar, Apolda, Naumburg (Saale), Weissenfels, Leipzig, Riesa, Dresden and Bad Schandau with Czechia and Poland.

The 232 line run by Leo Express will stop in Prague, Krakow, Warsaw and Przemyśl, close to the border with Ukraine. Trains depart Frankfurt Airport at 7.53am and arrive in Przemyśl at 2.23am.

“At over 1.300 kilometres, this is one of the longest direct train services in Europe,” said Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express, in a press release. The train company, previously known as Rapid Express, was established in Czechia in 2010. “In Germany, we are creating an alternative to existing operators,” Köhler continued.

Tickets for as little as 10 euros

With so many stops in Germany and tickets for as little as 10 euros, the new service isn’t just a good option for cross-border European travel, but also for travelling affordably by train within the federal republic.

For now, tickets are being sold without a seat reservation, but from January 2027, all ticket purchases will include a reservation. All trains on the route are equipped with WiFi, plug sockets, onboard refreshments and air conditioning.