Leo Express has launched ticket sales for its new Prague-Bratislava service
Open-access operator Leo Express has launched ticket sales for its new Prague-Bratislava service using leased Talgo VI trains, with early fares starting from EUR 4. The service is scheduled to begin in Q2 2026 with two return trips daily.
The route will connect Prague with Bratislava via Přerov, Hulín, Otrokovice, Staré Město u Uherského Hradiště, Hodonín and Břeclav. One train pair will terminate at Bratislava-Petržalka on the south bank of the Danube.
The service creates new direct connections previously unavailable on the Czech-Slovak corridor, including Zábřeh na Moravě-Bratislava, Olomouc-Bratislava and Hulín-Bratislava. The trains will also serve the Zlín and Uherský Brod regions with direct access to both capitals.
Rolling stock from Renfe
Leo Express is deploying three Talgo VI trainsets leased from Spanish operator Renfe for 10 years. Each 13-coach trainset offers 354 seats with passive tilting technology, low-floor boarding and café facilities. The trains arrived in the Czech Republic in August and are currently undergoing certification at the Velim test circuit.
The Talgo deployment follows earlier cooperation between the two operators. Renfe acquired a 50% stake in Leo Express in 2021 and previously leased 21 LINT DMUs for Leo Express’s Bratislava-Komárno PSO service launched in December 2023.
Why it matters: The service adds competitive pressure on the Prague-Bratislava corridor while addressing regional connectivity gaps in the Zlín area with barrier-free rolling stock.
What’s next: Leo Express has opened booking for Spring and Summer 2026 travel including Easter, May and June periods, but exact launch dates within Q2 remain unconfirmed pending certification.