From Uzhhorod to Vienna without transfers: how Ukrzaliznytsia has strengthened its connection with Central Europe
27 November 20:09
After 2022, Ukrzaliznytsia expanded and synchronized its international rail connections with the European Union. These changes were catalyzed by high demand, in particular, the growing number of Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection in Central Europe.
According to UZ , new and improved flights after 2022 were added to three key EU countries: Hungary, Austria, and Germany.
Direct connection between Zakarpattia and Budapest
The key development was the use of the newly built European gauge, which allowed the launch of new and direct routes from Zakarpattia.
- A new direct flight Berehove – Budapest: The train #36/35, 32/37 Budapest – Nyiregyhaza – Berehove provides a direct connection for Berehove and Chop.
- Airport connection: This train goes through Ferihegy station (Budapest Liszt International Airport).
- Additional connection: The regional train #644/647 Uzhhorod – Záhony allows passengers in Záhony to easily transfer to regular trains of Hungarian Railways to Budapest.
Night train from Uzhhorod to Vienna
In the new schedule, UZ launched for the first time a direct night train to the Austrian capital using European sleeping cars.
- Direct night train: no. 7/346 – 347/8 Uzhhorod – Vienna. The train runs on the newly built European gauge to the border.
- The travel time to Vienna is relatively short and less time-consuming than the trip from Uzhhorod to Kyiv.
- The train stops at the Budapest-Kölenfeld station (convenient subway connection) and Ferihegy (Budapest Airport).
- Travel time on the Kyiv-Vienna flight has been reduced by more than two hours, and the supply of seats on the flight 143/146 Uzhhorod-Vienna has been increased by 25%.
Synchronization with one stopover in Poland
Thanks to cooperation with Polish and German partners (growth of cross-border traffic between Germany and Poland by 54%), UZ has synchronized Ukrainian flights to provide a convenient trip to Germany with only one stopover.
1. Convenient transfers in Przemyśl (Poland)
Ukrainian trains arrive in Przemyśl with a coordinated connection for direct transfer to trains to major German cities:
- Kyiv – Leipzig: Train 51K Kyiv – Przemyśl has a connection to EC134 Via Regia to Leipzig.
- Zaporizhzhia/Dnipro – Berlin: The train 31/32 Zaporizhzhia – Przemyśl has a connection to EC58 Galicia to Berlin.
- Kharkiv – Munich: Train #63/64 Kharkiv – Przemyśl has a connection to EN417 Carpatia to Munich (via Prague).
2. Changes in Chłomo (Poland)
- The train 119/120 Dnipro – Chłom makes it possible to get to Berlin, although it requires two transfers (in Chłom to the train to Ustka and then in Warsaw to the train to Berlin).
- Berlin can also be reached by night trains departing from Kholm and Przemyśl(EC430 and EC440).
It is worth reminding that rail passenger and freight transportation has gained strategic importance as sea routes have been partially or completely blocked.
Convenient passenger hubs, such as Chop, Uzhhorod, and Przemyśl, have become vital transportation gateways to support economic ties and humanitarian cargo.
