First trains via European standard gauge launched from Uzhhorod to Bratislava, Budapest, and Vienna: Ministry for Communities and Territories Development

On September 12, the first direct passenger trains via 1435 mm standard gauge departed from Uzhhorod to three EU cities — Bratislava, Budapest, and Vienna. Today, 280 passengers will have an opportunity to evaluate the quality and convenience of the new connection.

Ticket sales began on September 5, the day of the opening of the new European-gauge section between Chop and Uzhhorod, built from scratch for the first time in the modern history of Ukraine. Construction began in 2024 and was completed in less than a year, despite the war and all the difficulties.

The project was implemented by Ukrzaliznytsia in cooperation with the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development of Ukraine. Funding was provided by partners — the European Commission (Connected Europe Facility program) and the European Investment Bank.

Trains' schedule is as follows:

Train 961/618 Uzhhorod – Bratislava

Uzhhorod (8:09) → Bratislava (18:33)

Bratislava (11:27) → Uzhhorod (22:35)

Train 146 Uzhhorod – Budapest – Vienna.

Uzhhorod (8:09) → Budapest (14:20) → Vienna (17:20)

Vienna (10:42) → Budapest (13:19) → Uzhhorod (22:35)

From December 2025, when the schedules are updated, passengers will be offered convenient connections with domestic routes. In particular, there will be more night trains that will link up for convenient transfers to European trains.

In addition, from September 12, 2025, a new route 644/647 Záhony – Berehove – Borzhava will be launched. The train will run on a 1435 mm Euro gauge and will directly connect Berehove with Záhyon, an important transfer hub from which numerous trains depart for Hungary, including Budapest.

Tickets are available in the Ukrzaliznytsia app and website, as well as on the websites of the Hungarian and Slovak railways.