Leo Express Launches 1,300-km Direct Train Service Linking Frankfurt Airport to Ukraine’s Border

On 25 June 2026, Prague-based private operator Leo Express will start a daily inter-European rail service covering more than 1,300 km between Frankfurt Airport in Germany and Przemysl, Poland, a border point with Ukraine. The line will become one of Europe’s longest direct train routes.

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Leo Express, an international train and bus company headquartered in Prague, is operating the new line. Its chief executive officer, Peter Köhler, has overseen the project.

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The west-bound train leaves Przemysl at 13:31 and arrives at Frankfurt Airport at 07:53 the next morning. The east-bound service departs Frankfurt Airport at 08:27 and reaches Przemysl at 02:23. Intermediate stops include Kraków, Ostrava, Prague, Dresden, Leipzig and Erfurt. One train runs each direction per day.

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The service spans over 1,300 km, with travel times of roughly 18 hours 22 minutes westbound and 18 hours eastbound. It serves nine major stations across Germany, Czechia and Poland. Onboard amenities include Wi-Fi, power outlets, refreshments and air-conditioned cabins.

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The corridor links Western and Eastern Europe, offering a direct rail connection to the Ukrainian border and enabling seamless transfers at Frankfurt Airport to European and intercontinental flights. The route is positioned to improve regional mobility and support access to Ukraine.

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CEO Peter Köhler said the new route removes the “iron curtains” between Western and Eastern Europe, connects important European centres, and provides access to Ukraine. He highlighted the “excellent arrival time at 7:53 am at Frankfurt Airport, providing seamless transfers to European and intercontinental flights,” and noted that the return service “enables a daily connection to Prague with later arrivals in Kraków and Przemysl” while offering a direct link between Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt and Frankfurt.

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• “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.” — Peter Köhler, CEO, Leo Express

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• “Kohler noted the strategic timings in a statement: “Leo Express offers a connection with an excellent arrival time at 7:53 am at Frankfurt Airport, providing seamless transfers to European and intercontinental flights.” — Peter Köhler, CEO, Leo Express

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• “The return connection at 8:27 am also enables a daily connection to Prague with later arrivals in Kraków and Przemysl. At the same time, the train provides a direct connection between Prague, Dresden, Leipzig, Erfurt and Frankfurt.” — Peter Köhler, CEO, Leo Express

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• 25 June 2026 – Inaugural west-bound and east-bound services commence with the scheduled departure and arrival times.

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• Ongoing – Daily operation continues throughout the summer season.

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The service will maintain its daily timetable and onboard amenities for the remainder of the season. No further extensions have been announced.

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