The first railway line in present day Kosovo from Mitrovica to Hani i Elezit (the line continued to Skopje and Thessaloniki) was opened in 1874 during Ottoman rule. During 20th century, were built the railway lines from Mitrovica to Leshak, from Fushe Kosove – Pristina in 1934, Fushe Kosove – Peja in 1936, Pristina – Livadica in 1949, and Klinë – Prizren in 1963.
Last update: 17.07.2024
Railway network in Kosovo is 430 km long, of which 333 km serve both freight and passenger and 97 km is used only forfreight traffic. In recent years the government of Kosovo and European Union has taken steps to rehabilitate and upgrade rail infrastructure in the country. The mainline between Hani i Elezit and Leshak constitutes part of Pan-European Corridor X.
Train travel in Kosovo – domestic trains
Passenger trains in Kosovo are operated by Trainkos (former Kosovo Railway) founded in 2011 and the infrastructure maintained by Infrakos.
According to the offical timetable there are two trains daily between Pristina and Peja. Journey time is 2 hours. There is possible to make a one-day trip to Peja from Pristina, but you must choose the morning train.
In July 2024 a new train between Prishtina and Kline was launched. The town of Kline is located halfway between Prishtina and Peja.
Tickets are cheap. Train is hauled by a diesel locomotive and comprised of ex-DB carriages.
There are no information about passenger trains from Fushe Kosove – Hani i Elezit – Fushe Kosove
Trainkos – official timetable and prices
Map of the railway network in Kosovo (Wikimedia)
The rolling stock is mainly donated by national operators in Austria and Sweden. In 2017 the passenger carriages donated by Deutsche Bahn were introduced. Diesel multiple unit Y1 from Sweden served trains between Hani i Elezit and Fushe Kosove.
Train travel in Kosovo – international trains
There are no international passenger trains in Kosovo. Train from Prishtina to Skopje is announced in timetable but in fact it is out of operation due to engineering works on the route.
North Macedonia
For several years ran an international train from Skopje in North Macedonia to Pristina. Initially direct train was comprised of diesel locomotive, one Macedonian passenger car and one Kosovan passenger car. Later operates as separate trains in Kosovo and Macedonia with change at Hani i Elezit station.
Serbia
There were two trains from Kraljevo to Zvečan operated by Serbian Railways. These trains have not been running for a long time. In January 2017 passenger traffic between Serbia and Kosovo was resumed, but the first train from Belgrade to Mitrovica was painted in the colours of the Serbian flag and bearing the words “Kosovo is Serbian”. Eventually the Serbian authorities stopped the train in Raska, just before the Kosovo border. The incident raised tensions in both countries.
The border crossing in Merdare is closed.
Albania
In 2022 Albania and Kosovo signed and agreement to build the railway line connecting Durrës and Pristina.
Montenegro
There is no railway link between Montenegro and Kosovo.
