České dráhy boosts long-distance offer for 2026 with new trains and expanded international links

České dráhy Siemens Vectron locomotive with passenger coaches at a European rail station platform
© České dráhy
Changes include new direct routes to Villach and Copenhagen, additional InterCity and EuroCity services, deployment of new rolling stock, and a group fare discount for online bookings.

České dráhy (ČD) will implement several network and fleet changes with the 2025/2026 timetable, starting 14 December.

A total of 8,723 passenger trains are planned, covering roughly 327,000 kilometres daily. ČD will operate 38 modern trainsets of the Jet family (ComfortJet, Railjet, InterJet) as well as Pendolino units. The number of Railjet-branded international services will rise to 51 – up by 30 from the previous schedule.

© České dráhy
© České dráhy

New international and domestic connections  

ComfortJet trains will run to Villach in southern Austria, near the Slovenian and Italian borders. From May 2026, a direct service between Prague and Copenhagen will be restored after more than a decade. Additional departures to Hamburg will also be introduced in spring.

Domestic long-distance services will also be expanded. On the Prague–České Budějovice route, two new InterCity “Jižní expres” services and a late evening R-speed service “Vltava” will be added. The last departures from Linz, Tábor, and České Budějovice will run approximately one hour later than in the current timetable.

Capacity will increase on routes to Berlin, Vienna, and – from May – Hamburg. ComfortJet sets released from international duties will be reassigned to domestic routes, including services such as Rožmberk and Labe, which will receive more air-conditioned coaches. Slovácký expres to Luhačovice already uses Ampz first-class cars.

© České dráhy
© České dráhy

Regional modernisation and new discount offer  

ČD will continue modernising regional fleets. RegioFox DMUs will enter service in Central Bohemia and Hradec Králové regions from December, replacing older diesel trains on routes such as Prague–Mělník–Mladá Boleslav and Hradec Králové–Letohrad.

EuroNight Carpatia will launch between Bohumín and Przemyśl, carrying through coaches from Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Budapest. The Baltic Express between Prague and Poland’s Tricity area will include a Czech dining car on the full route.

Infrastructure upgrades and fleet renewal are expected to increase the share of barrier-free trains to 85%. Nearly 500 more trains will offer power sockets, USB ports, and Wi-Fi.

From January to March 2026, ČD will introduce a new 25% discount for small groups (2–5 passengers) booking online via the ČD e-shop or Můj vlak app. The discount applies to both first and second class and can be combined with other fare reductions.


Join Our Circle of Insiders: Receive the Weekly Digest That Keeps You Ahead!

Latest Railway News

Top news