Czech private operator Leo Express is preparing a major upgrade to its cross-border services between Czechia and Slovakia, rolling out refurbished Talgo trains, new Prague–Bratislava connections and a raft of comfort-focused improvements designed to reshape how passengers move between the two countries from 2026.
New Prague–Bratislava Route Anchors Talgo Rollout
The centrepiece of Leo Express’s expansion is a new direct Prague–Bratislava service that will lean heavily on leased Talgo rolling stock. From the second quarter of 2026, the company plans to operate two daily return trains linking the Czech and Slovak capitals, bringing a new competitor to one of Central Europe’s busiest rail corridors and adding much-needed capacity on peak days.
The route will run from Prague via Přerov, Hulín, Otrokovice, Staré Město u Uherského Hradiště, Hodonín and Břeclav before reaching Bratislava. That path allows Leo Express to plug several regional gaps, creating direct links such as Olomouc to Bratislava and improving access from the Zlín and Slovácko regions to both capitals without a change of trains.
One of the two daily services will start and end at Bratislava–Petržalka, on the southern bank of the Danube. This creates the first ever direct connection between Prague and Bratislava’s Petržalka district, while the other train pair will serve the city’s main station, where passengers can connect with Leo Express regional services deeper into southern Slovakia.
Advance fares marketed from the equivalent of just a few euros are aimed at keeping the route competitive against incumbent operators and long-distance bus lines. By opening bookings well ahead of the launch, Leo Express is signalling confidence that certification of the new trains will be completed on schedule.
Talgo VI and Talgo S6: What Passengers Can Expect
Behind the new services is a fleet strategy that combines two strands of Talgo technology. On the flagship Prague–Bratislava axis, Leo Express is introducing three Talgo VI locomotive-hauled trainsets leased for ten years from Spanish operator Renfe. Each set comprises 13 articulated coaches with around 350 seats and a maximum speed of 200 kilometres per hour, giving the company a long-distance train tailored for higher speeds and frequent stops.
The trainsets, built originally in the 1980s and comprehensively modernised in 2020, offer a lightweight aluminium construction and Talgo’s characteristic single-axle running gear with passive tilting. The design is intended to smooth out curves at higher speeds, reducing lateral forces felt by passengers and cutting travel times on existing infrastructure without major track upgrades.
Leo Express is also planning to deploy modern low-floor Talgo S6 formations on services between Prague and Bratislava routed via the Zlín Region. These units bring step-free access throughout, full air conditioning and interiors designed for rapid boarding and alighting. The company has publicly emphasised that such low-floor trains remain rare on long-distance routes in the region, where high-floor coaches and multiple sets of steps can create significant barriers for families with strollers, cyclists and passengers with reduced mobility.
Across both Talgo fleets, passengers can expect Wi-Fi, power sockets, onboard refreshments and dedicated zones for luggage and bikes. The focus is on intercity comfort rather than luxury, but the refurbishment programmes and upgrades are intended to place the trains firmly in line with contemporary European standards for medium and long-distance travel.
From Spain to Central Europe: Renfe’s Talgo Lease Deal
The arrival of the Talgo VI trainsets in Czechia is the direct result of a leasing agreement between Leo Express and Renfe’s rolling stock subsidiary. Signed in 2025 for a duration of ten years, the deal sends three of Renfe’s Talgo VI formations north to support the Central European expansion of a company in which the Spanish operator holds a 50 percent stake.
The first 13-car set was transferred from Spain to the Czech Republic in late summer 2025, with testing scheduled at the Velim railway test circuit. Leo Express drivers and onboard staff have undergone training in Spain to familiarise themselves with the distinctive Talgo systems, from articulated couplings to the suspension and braking characteristics that differ from conventional coach stock.
For Renfe, the lease is part of a broader international push that uses Leo Express as a vehicle for growth in Central and Eastern Europe. Rather than leaving modernised Talgo stock idle at home, the Spanish operator is monetising its assets in markets where open-access competition is reshaping the landscape. For Leo Express, the deal brings in proven long-distance rolling stock at lower upfront cost than purchasing brand-new trains, while still offering a striking, modernised product to passengers in Czechia and Slovakia.
The partnership also builds on earlier cooperation, including the leasing of regional diesel multiple units for Slovak public service routes. The Talgo agreement signals that both companies see long-term potential in cross-border services that tie together Czech, Slovak and neighbouring networks with distinctive, recognisable trains.
Route Changes and New Links Across Czechia and Slovakia
Leo Express is using its new Talgo capacity to rethink how cities in Czechia and Slovakia are connected. From the end of April 2026, its new timetable extends existing services from Prague through Přerov, Hulín and Otrokovice onwards to Staré Město u Uherského Hradiště, then pushes further south via Hodonín and Břeclav to Bratislava. This not only restores popular links in the Slovácko region but for the first time stitches them into a through service that reaches the Slovak capital.
By threading the Prague–Bratislava route through these regional nodes, Leo Express is seeking to serve both end-to-end intercity travellers and local passengers making shorter hops. Towns that previously required awkward changes to reach Bratislava now gain direct trains, while residents of Petržalka and areas south of the Danube receive new one-seat rides to Prague for business and leisure.
On the Slovak side, the new Talgo-powered connections dovetail with Leo Express’s public service contract linking Bratislava, Dunajská Streda and Komárno. That regional route, operated with low-floor trains, has recorded strong passenger growth since its launch in late 2023, giving the company a base of Slovak customers already familiar with its brand and service philosophy.
In combination, the upgraded cross-border route and existing regional services create a denser mesh of rail options that make it easier to travel across the Czech–Slovak border without resorting to private cars. They also provide new opportunities for tourism, from wine regions around Hodonín and Břeclav to city breaks split between Prague, Bratislava and eastern Slovakia.
Accessibility, Comfort and Passenger Guarantees
A key selling point of the new Talgo trains is accessibility. Leo Express has repeatedly underlined that its long-distance services on the Czech–Slovak axis will be operated with truly low-floor or barrier-free stock, contrasting with the high-floor coaches commonly used by some competitors. For passengers with reduced mobility, parents travelling with small children, and cyclists with heavy bikes, the difference between a single low-step entrance and multiple steep stairs can determine whether rail is a practical option at all.
The new trains’ interiors reflect this focus. Wide vestibules, multi-purpose spaces near the doors and level access to seating areas are designed to speed up boarding while reducing bottlenecks. That, in turn, can help keep dwell times short at intermediate stops, an important factor in holding down end-to-end journey times on a route with many regional calls.
Comfort guarantees are another tool the operator is using to stand out. Leo Express has extended its year-round promise of functional air conditioning and heating across its intercity network. If the climate control fails to work as advertised, passengers are entitled to a full refund of their fare. Coupled with features such as power outlets at seats, onboard Wi-Fi and a café or trolley service, the company is aiming to position its Talgo trains as a dependable, pleasant environment for both work and relaxation.
These commitments are especially significant given the extremes of Central European weather, where summer heatwaves and cold winters have often exposed weaknesses in older rolling stock. By linking comfort directly to compensation, Leo Express is signalling that the performance of its refurbished Talgo vehicles is central to its brand promise.
Testing, Certification and a Tight Launch Timeline
Before passengers in Czechia and Slovakia can experience the new Talgo trains, the rolling stock must complete a demanding programme of testing and certification. After arrival from Spain, the Talgo VI sets were sent to the Velim test centre, where engineers are assessing everything from braking distances and ride quality to the performance of onboard systems under local conditions.
Because the trains were originally designed for a different operating environment, they are being adapted to meet Central European technical and safety requirements, including compatibility with signalling systems and platform heights. Leo Express has also highlighted work to integrate the Talgo formations into its existing maintenance and operations framework, ensuring that spare parts, tooling and staff expertise are in place before regular passenger service begins.
The company has publicly committed to a launch window in the second quarter of 2026 for the Prague–Bratislava Talgo services. That timeline leaves limited margin for delay, particularly given the complexities of certifying modernised, imported rolling stock. Nonetheless, early ticket sales for spring and early summer dates suggest confidence that formal approvals and staff training will be completed in time.
Industry observers will be watching closely to see whether the certification process proceeds smoothly. Successful entry into service would not only boost Leo Express’s own network but could provide a template for other operators considering the redeployment of refurbished Talgo fleets across Europe.
Strengthening Leo Express’s Position in a Competitive Market
The deployment of Talgo trains on cross-border routes between Czechia and Slovakia comes at a pivotal moment for Leo Express. The company has reported rapid growth in recent years, with passenger numbers and revenues both climbing as it expanded commercial and public service operations across Czechia, Slovakia and Poland. Backed by Renfe as a majority shareholder, the operator has invested in safety systems, dual-voltage capability and fleet modernisation without relying heavily on bank loans.
On the Prague–Bratislava corridor, Leo Express will face established competition from incumbent state operator České dráhy and private rival RegioJet. Both already offer frequent services, some of which continue south to Hungary or northeast to Žilina. The introduction of Talgo-equipped trains adds a new layer of choice for travellers and could spur further improvements in comfort and pricing across the market.
Beyond simple head-to-head competition, the Talgo rollout positions Leo Express as a specialist in cross-border connectivity. Its network already stretches from Czechia into Slovakia and Poland, and the company has signalled ambitions for longer routes linking Central Europe with Germany and even the Belgian coast in the coming years. In that context, the upgraded Prague–Bratislava services and improved links within Slovakia look less like isolated projects and more like building blocks in a wider strategy.
For passengers, the result is likely to be a more dynamic environment in which multiple operators vie for attention on key routes. If Leo Express can deliver on its promises of accessible, comfortable Talgo trains running punctually between Czech and Slovak cities, its latest investment may deepen the integration of the region’s rail networks and raise the bar for long-distance travel standards across Central Europe.