Trains from Belgrade to Niš run through main railway corridor between the largest and third-largest cities in Serbia. In the past, some of the trains rode from Niš towards Skopje, Thessaloniki and Belgrade. Unfortunately the tracks and railway infrastructure are dilapidated and an average speed between Belgrade and Niš is very low and the journey is dull and long, so there are only a few trains, but buses run often.
In 2024 Serbia has started building a 22 km railway bypass around the southern city of Niš. In the future fast trains will stop far from the city centre.
In 2026 construction of the high-speed Belgrade – Niš railway line had started. The railway will be 230 kilometres long and the journey between Belgrade and Niš will last about 100 minutes instead of seven hours.
Currently, I don’t recommend train travel between Belgrade and Niš. Construction of the new railway line is expected to last three to four years but I think it will last a few years more.
Useful websites:
Srbija Voz – timetable
Train travel in Serbia – a general overview
Most important towns and cities:
Belgrade – the capital and largest city of Serbia, situated at the confluence of the Sava and Danube rivers. The most famous historical landmark is Belgrade Fortress, surrounded by Kalemegdan Park. The site contains remains from Roman, Byzantine, medieval Serbian, Ottoman and Austro-Hungarian periods. Belgrade became the capital of modern Serbia in the 19th century and has remained the country’s political, economic and cultural centre. The monumental Church of Saint Sava is one of the largest Orthodox churches in the world. Knez Mihailova Street is the principal pedestrian and shopping street in the historic centre.
Another popular attraction is Skadarlija, a historic bohemian quarter, is famous for traditional restaurants, cafés and its 19th-century atmosphere.
Belgrade is an important railway hub, although its railway network has been substantially transformed by the construction of the modern Belgrade–Novi Sad–Subotica high-speed line. Beograd Centar train station is located a quite far from the city centre.
Lapovo – a small town in central Serbia, located in the Velika Morava valley. Despite its modest size, it is particularly important as a railway junction.
Train from Kraljevo to Kragujevac – a general overview
Jagodina – a a small town in central Serbia, situated in the Morava Valley between Belgrade and Niš. From 1946 to 1992, the city was officially called Svetozarevo, in honour of socialist politician Svetozar Marković. It returned to the name Jagodina in 1992. The city is particularly well known today for its tourist attractions and family entertainment facilities. Aqua Park Jagodina is one of the largest water parks in Serbia and has helped make the city a popular domestic tourist destination. The Jagodina Wax Museum contains wax figures of Serbian historical figures, political leaders, artists and other famous personalities. Đurđevo Brdo Park is a major recreational area overlooking the city. The nearby Zoological Garden is another popular attraction. Jagodina is also a useful base for visiting nearby monasteries and attractions in the Pomoravlje region.
Train from Kraljevo to Kruševac – a general overview
Niš – the third-largest city in Serbia and the principal urban centre of southeastern Serbia. The city lies on the Nišava River, at a strategic crossroads connecting Central Europe with the Balkans and routes towards Sofia, Skopje and Istanbul. The ancient city was known as Naissus and became an important Roman settlement. The archaeological site of Mediana, near Niš, contains the remains of a luxurious Roman imperial residence associated with Constantine the Great. The Niš Fortress is one of the city’s most important landmarks. Although the site has ancient origins, the present fortress was largely constructed by the Ottomans in the 18th century. The Skull Tower (Ćele Kula) is a grim but important monument from the First Serbian Uprising. It was constructed by the Ottomans in 1809 using the skulls of Serbian rebels killed at the Battle of Čegar. The Bubanj Memorial Park commemorates thousands of people executed by German occupation forces during the Second World War. Niš is one of the most important industrial, commercial, educational and cultural centres of southeastern Serbia. The railway station in the city centre is very neglected.
