Short answer: On 25 June 2026, Czech private operator Leo Express launches a daily direct train between Frankfurt and Przemyśl, the Polish city next to the Ukrainian border. At over 1,300 kilometres through Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland — via Prague, Dresden, Leipzig and Kraków — it is one of the longest direct train services in Europe, with fares starting at €10.
Direct trains crossing three countries have become rare in Europe, where most long journeys mean at least one change. The new Leo Express Frankfurt to Przemyśl train goes against that trend in spectacular fashion: a single service linking one of Europe's biggest financial centres and busiest airports with the gateway to Ukraine, calling at some of Central Europe's most visited cities along the way.
One of Europe's longest direct train routes
The route, announced by Leo Express in December 2025, stretches over 1,300 kilometres and crosses three countries. From west to east, the main stops are:
- Germany: Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt-Süd, Offenbach, Hanau, Fulda, Erfurt, Weimar, Leipzig, Dresden and Bad Schandau
- Czech Republic: Děčín, Ústí nad Labem, Prague, Pardubice, Olomouc, Ostrava and Bohumín
- Poland: Katowice, Kraków, Tarnów, Rzeszów and Przemyśl
That single line ties together Frankfurt's banking skyline, the cultural hubs of Weimar, Dresden and Prague, the industrial heart of Silesia and the historic old town of Kraków — before ending a short hop from the Ukrainian border.
"At over 1,300 kilometres, this is one of the longest direct train services in Europe," says Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express, who frames the route as a way of "removing the iron curtains between Western and Eastern Europe" and providing access to Ukraine.
Timetable: an 18-hour journey, daily in both directions
The service runs once daily in each direction. Train 232 leaves Przemyśl at 13:31 and reaches Frankfurt Airport at 07:53 the next morning — about 18 hours end to end. In the other direction, train 235 departs Frankfurt Airport at 08:27 and arrives in Przemyśl at 02:23.
The arrival just before 08:00 at Frankfurt Airport is deliberate: it connects with morning departures to European and intercontinental flights, turning the train into a genuine feeder service for one of the continent's largest hubs. Passengers from Saxony and Thuringia — including stops such as Weimar and Naumburg — also gain an early-morning direct link to the airport.
Two caveats apply at launch, both linked to engineering work in Germany. On Mondays, the train towards Przemyśl departs four hours earlier, at 12:27. And because of regular maintenance windows, the line initially runs only between Frankfurt Airport and Bohumín on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, and only between Bohumín and Frankfurt Airport on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Checking your exact travel day before booking is essential — you can compare trains, buses and carpooling on Gopaxo to see what actually runs on your date.
Tickets from €10 — and what you get on board
Fares between the two endpoints start at €10, an aggressive entry price for an 18-hour international journey. Tickets went on sale when the route was announced, and seats are sold without reservations at first; Leo Express plans to add seat reservations and a Business Class from January, along with extra onboard services.
On board, the trains offer Wi-Fi, power sockets, onboard refreshments and air conditioning — the same formula the operator uses on its Prague–Kraków and Prague–Prešov services. As with every low entry fare in European rail, the €10 tickets are limited: book early and stay flexible to catch them. Our guide on how to travel cheaper by train collects more tactics that apply here too.
Why this route matters
Leo Express is no newcomer: the Prague-based company has run trains and buses across Central Europe since 2012, and its largest shareholder is Renfe, Spain's national railway. The Frankfurt line is the flagship of a broader 2026 expansion that also includes new international connections from Prague to Bratislava and from Prague via Pilsen and Regensburg to Munich.
The timing fits a wider trend. European operators keep adding ambitious cross-border links — from the new Prague–Copenhagen direct train to fresh night-train projects — as passengers look for alternatives to short-haul flights. A direct daily service to the Ukrainian border also has an obvious practical role, connecting onward travel into Ukraine with the heart of Western Europe.
For travellers, the appeal is simple: one ticket, no changes, and a rolling tour of Central Europe — Frankfurt, Erfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Olomouc, Katowice, Kraków, Rzeszów — for less than the price of an airport sandwich if you book at the right moment.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Leo Express Frankfurt–Przemyśl train start?
The first departure is on 25 June 2026. The service then runs daily in both directions, with reduced sections on certain weekdays at launch because of engineering work in Germany.
How long does the full journey take?
About 18 hours. Train 232 leaves Przemyśl at 13:31 and arrives at Frankfurt Airport at 07:53 the next day; train 235 leaves Frankfurt Airport at 08:27 and reaches Przemyśl at 02:23.
How much do tickets cost?
Fares between the endpoints start at €10. Tickets are already on sale, initially without seat reservations; reservations and a Business Class are planned from January.
Which cities does the train serve?
Major stops include Frankfurt Airport, Frankfurt-Süd, Fulda, Erfurt, Weimar, Leipzig, Dresden, Ústí nad Labem, Prague, Pardubice, Olomouc, Ostrava, Katowice, Kraków, Tarnów, Rzeszów and Przemyśl.
In summary
- Leo Express launches a Frankfurt–Przemyśl direct train on 25 June 2026, one of Europe's longest at over 1,300 km.
- The route crosses Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland, serving Frankfurt Airport, Erfurt, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Ostrava, Katowice, Kraków and Rzeszów.
- Daily in both directions: Przemyśl 13:31 → Frankfurt Airport 07:53; return 08:27 → 02:23 (about 18 hours).
- Fares from €10, with Wi-Fi, power sockets and refreshments on board; seat reservations and Business Class follow from January.
- The line strengthens rail access to the Ukrainian border and is backed by Leo Express's main shareholder, Renfe.
