On Friday, the Serbian section of the Budapest-Belgrade railway line was officially inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in the joint infrastructure project between the two countries. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić attended the first Belgrade-Subotica train journey, calling the event a historic occasion.
Budapest-Belgrade railway: a historic symbol
During the celebratory ride, Vučić said the railway would become an eternal symbol of friendship and partnership between Hungary and Serbia. The Serbian president emphasised that relations between the two countries are at a historic high and expressed hope that this will remain so in the future. He added that he was proud to be part of “making history” with the opening, which could bring faster economic growth and attract new investors to Serbia.
Fast and modern transport
On the 108.1-kilometre section between Novi Sad and Subotica, trains can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h, according to Magyar Építők. Thanks to this, travel between Novi Sad and Subotica will take only 41 minutes, while the 184-kilometre journey from Belgrade to Subotica will take about 70 minutes.
Once the entire line is completed, travel time between the Serbian and Hungarian capitals is expected to drop to less than 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Technical developments and investments
The newly opened section includes four bridges, two viaducts, 27 overpasses, and 15 underpasses. In addition, for the first time in Serbia, three wildlife crossings have been constructed to meet environmental protection goals. On the Belgrade-Novi Sad section, high-speed trains have already been operating since March 2022, completing the journey in just 36 minutes.
Hungarian section: nearing completion
Another key part of the project is the Hungarian section of the railway, built by Hungarian company RM International Zrt. along with two Chinese firms, China Tiejiuju Engineering & Construction Kft. and China Railway Electrification Engineering Group. Hungarian Minister for Construction and Transport János Lázár previously announced that the Hungarian section could be completed by January 2026, according to VG.hu.
Opening delayed by tragic accident
The Serbian section was originally scheduled to open in November 2024. However, the inauguration was postponed due to the tragic collapse of the canopy at Novi Sad railway station, which claimed 16 lives.
What can passengers expect?
The Budapest-Belgrade railway promises exciting opportunities for travellers. The modern, high-speed trains are expected to provide a faster and more comfortable connection between the two capitals, reducing the current six- to seven-hour travel time to under three hours. Once completed, the line could make rail transport a competitive alternative to air and road travel.
The project not only aims to strengthen economic ties but could also boost tourism. Improved accessibility will make it easier for travellers to enjoy weekend trips, city breaks, and discover the cultural and gastronomic offerings of the region. Thus, the Budapest-Belgrade line is not just an infrastructure development, but also a new bridge connecting people and countries.
“Sándor, when will you finish your part?”
Aleksandar Vučić asked Nándor Csepreghy, who was sitting opposite him on the train, “Sándor, when will you finish your part? In February? In March?”, Telex wrote. The Hungarian Deputy Minister of Construction and Transport was not particularly bothered by the Serbian president’s mistake in his name. He replied: “No, no, no, it will be ready in November this year. Freight transport will start in December, and passenger trains in February or March. We had a meeting with the ministers today, and we are on the last chapter. It will be ready before the next election.”
High speed to Belgrade. Why would you want to visit Belgrade? You want to visit Vienna – good luck. The only purpose of the line is to facilitate Chinese exports from Piraeus to the rest of Europe. There is no stop in Szeged or Kecskemet so it serves no purpose inside Hungary. Like every corrupt deal Fidesz makes the terms of the agreement with the Chinese is secret and publication of the terms including the government’s analysis of the economic viability of the line is forbidden for 10 years. The cost of the Hungarian section is estimated at $3.6 billion. Hungary can’t afford corrupt waste of money like that.
This is a phenomenal news and it will definitely exelerate the overall future projects in the railways that you see everywhere in the region and it is expecting that the overall occupancy of the train will be 80-90% and highly profitable…