Serbia is entering a new era of rail travel. The long-awaited high-speed railway between Belgrade and Subotica officially opens for passenger traffic on Wednesday, October 8, 2025 at noon. For the first five days—until Sunday, October 12—rides will be free of charge, giving people the chance to experience the modern service firsthand.
Travel Time: 80 Minutes for 183 km
The new route covers 183 kilometers between Belgrade’s Prokop station and Subotica in under 80 minutes. Subotica, Serbia’s fifth-largest city, lies in the country’s north near the Hungarian border, making it a key cultural and economic hub as well as a gateway toward Central Europe.
This is a dramatic improvement compared to the old and extremely unpredictable railway, where trains crawled along at around 40 km/h. Now, trains will operate at speeds of up to 200 km/h, with test runs reaching 220 km/h.
For comparison, the travel time between Novi Sad and Subotica will be just 41 minutes on the high-speed Soko trains. In addition to express services, Interregio trains will run on the same route, with travel times ranging between 54 and 99 minutes, depending on the number of stops.
Trains between Belgrade and Subotica will run roughly every two hours, with a total of 13 departures per day: 9 Interregio services with more stops and longer travel times, and 4 high-speed Soko trains.
Ticket Prices
After the free five-day trial period, tickets will be approximately priced as follows:
- 1,200 RSD (approx. €10) for a one-way trip
- 2,000 RSD (approx. €17) for a return ticket
That means passengers will be able to travel almost 200 kilometers in comfort for the price of a modest dinner in Belgrade.
You can buy railway tickets in Serbia in several ways, but the quickest and most reliable option is through the ‘Srbijavoz’ mobile app, where you can pay by card. After purchase, you’ll instantly receive a QR-code e-ticket that can be shown on your phone (no printing required).
Construction and Infrastructure
Work on this key section of the Belgrade–Budapest railway began in November 2021. The project includes:
- 108.1 km of new track allowing speeds up to 200 km/h
- Around 273 km of newly laid rails
- Double-track lines with upgraded stations
- 4 bridges, 2 viaducts, 27 overpasses, and 15 underpasses
- 3 eco-ducts, each 46 meters long, built for safe animal crossings—the first of their kind in Serbia
- A total of 33 culverts, 14 pedestrian underpasses, and 302 switches
This massive investment doesn’t just improve speed—it makes travel safer, more reliable, and environmentally friendlier.
Next Stop: Budapest
The Belgrade–Subotica line is only part of the story. By late February or early March 2026, passenger services will extend all the way to Budapest, cutting travel time between the two capitals to just 2 hours and 45 minutes. Freight transport to Hungary is expected to begin within the next two months.
During the promotional ride on the Belgrade–Subotica railway on Friday, October 3, President Aleksandar Vučić highlighted the project’s international importance, stressing that the new line strengthens Serbia’s ties with Hungary and the rest of Europe:
“I am very happy—we are connecting ourselves to Europe through Budapest. Thanks to Viktor Orbán, we started building this line. I am glad we finished it efficiently, quickly, and even earlier than expected. Economically, it will bring a lot, connecting Budapest and Belgrade further. It will remain a symbol of friendship. Relations between Serbia and Hungary are at their highest level.”
A New Era for Serbian Railways
For Serbia, this railway represents a leap into the future of European infrastructure. What used to be a long, tiring journey will now take just over an hour, reshaping commuting, business, and tourism opportunities in the region.
With affordable tickets, modern trains, and reliable travel times, the Belgrade–Subotica high-speed line is set to become one of Serbia’s most important transportation links—and the start of an even greater connection with Budapest and beyond.
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