New 800-mile railway line launch to open on June 25 – one of Europe's longest

A new train route stretching 800 miles and touted as one of Europe’s longest is set to open on June 25. The Czechia-based operator, Leo Express, is expected to launch the service, which will connect destinations in the Czech Republic, Germany and Poland. It will reach all the way to the Ukrainian border and take about 18 hours to travel along its entire length.

Cities along the route include Kraków, Ostrava, Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, Frankfurt am Main and Frankfurt Airport. Leo Express boss, Peter Köhler, said: “With this new route, we are also removing the iron curtains between Western and Eastern Europe, connecting important European centres and providing access to Ukraine.”

West-bound, the route departs from Przemyśl in south-east Poland, with a departure time earmarked for 1.31pm local time.

The service arrives at Frankfurt Airport a day later at 7.53am local time.

East-bound, passengers depart from Frankfurt Airport at 8.27am with the service to Przemyśl terminating at 2.23am the next day, according to Euronews.

Mr Köhler told the same media outlet that the arrival time at Frankfurt Airport was “excellent” as it would provide “seamless transfers” to flights across the continent and around the world.

The service includes wifi, access to power sockets, air conditioning and on-board catering.

Przemyśl has been one of the main railway hubs for travellers from Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. The city lies just over six miles from the Polish-Ukrainian border.

Leo Express’s new route is one of several lengthy rail journeys in Europe.

Optima Express takes over 30 hours one way for a journey of about 995 miles. It runs from Villach in Austria to Edirne in north-west Türkiye.

Another lengthy route can take you from Stockholm to Innsbruck in a little over 27 hours, travelling some 1,460 miles.

Britain’s longest service is the Caledonian Sleeper from London Euston to Fort William, which covers 521 miles. It takes 12 hours and 45 minutes Monday to Friday and 13 hours on a Saturday.