Serbia has an extensive railway network, but it has been neglected for many decades. Recently, the railways have purchased new rolling stock to service regional and long-distance services, construction and rehabilitation of the main railway lines is underway, and there is a project of rehabilitation of local lines in Vojvodina. There’s a lot that needs to be done.
Last updated: 08.02.2024
The first standard-gauge railway line in present day Serbia was opened in 1854. The railway line Oravica – Jasenovo – Bazijaš started and ended in present day Romania, and only 27 kilometers were laid within the territory of Serbia. The most important railway station in Serbia was Bela Crkva.
In 1882 the narrow gauge railway from Majdanpek copper processing plant to Velike Livade (12 km) was put into operation. It was an industrial narrow gauge railway, occasionally used for passenger transport.
On 7 September 1884 the King Milan of Serbia traveled by train from Belgrade to Vienna.
The first train from Belgrade to Niš departed on 9 September 1884.
In 1970 was opened first electrified line between Belgrade and Šid. Six years later was completed and opened line from the Belgrade to Bar.
In 2015 The Železnice Srbije company was divided into three separate businesses.
Train travel in Serbia – domestic trains
There are many passenger trains in Serbia but The train is a good choice if you want to visit Novi Sad and Belgrade, or if you have booked accommodation in Subotica and want to go to the charming town of Sombor or to the lake in Palić.
Passenger trains are operated by Srbijavoz. Rolling stock varied, many of Yugoslavia-era passenger carriages ended at train graveyard, although these carriages were comfortably enough. Diesel multiple units often break down during the heat.
Srbijavoz official website – timetable, prices, additional information
Long-distance domestic trains run on the following routes:
Belgrade – Zvornik (twice a day)
Belgrade – Šid (only regional trains)
Belgrade – Niš (only regional trains)
Belgrade – Prijepolje teretna (regional and international trains)
Subotica – Zrenjanin (once a day, regional train)
Regional domestic trains run on the following routes:
Belgrade – Vršac
Belgrade – Užice – Valjevo
Belgrade – Novi Sad (additional to Soko trains)
Belgrade – Ruma – Sremska Mitrovica
Smederevo – Požarevac
Subotica – Sombor
Subotica – Kikinda
Zrenjanin – Kikinda
Novi Sad – Sombor
Niš – Zaječar
Kraljevo – Lapovo
Kraljevo – Požega
Types of the train in Serbia:
The different train types and categories in Serbia:
Regional (Re) – formerly “putnički voz”. Slow local trains. It stops at all stations. Usually served by diesel RA2 multiple unit produced in Russia or old Swedish diesel multiple unit Y1 (Niš – Zaječar).
BgVoz – urban rail system that connects the city of Belgrade with nearby cities . It is operated by the public transit corporation GSP Belgrade. The rolling stock consists of Soviet-era RVR multiple units.
Brzi voz (B) – fast train. Usually comprised of diesel locomotive and passenger carriages or diesel RA2 multiple unit. It stops at main stations only.
Regional Express (REx) – fast trains operated by modern, comfortable and air-conditioned Stadler Flirt 3 (ŽS 413). You can choose between first and second class.
SOKO – high-sped train from Beograd to Novi Sad (75 km). The Stadler Kiss electric multiple units (ŽS 410) are going up to 200 km/h, connecting two biggest cities in 36 minutes. The high-speed service was inaugurated in March 2022. Seat reservation is compulsory.
Tickets for local trains are very cheap, tickets for SOKO are relatively expensive.
Train travel in Serbia – international trains
There are very few passenger international trains in Serbia. Most popular is the train from Belgrade to Bar. A several years ago there were much more international trains.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
There are no passenger trains between Serbia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Fast train from Belgrade to Zvornik terminates at Mali Zvornik close to the border but you need to cross the border on your own and there are no trains from Zvornik in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
A short section of a Belgrade – Bar railway line of passes through Bosnia but the trains don’t stop on the territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Train from Belgrade to Sarajevo was suspended many years ago.
Bulgaria
Due to reconstruction and modernization of the whole railway line from Niš to Dimitrovgrad all passenger trains to Bulgaria were cancelled until further notice. The works started in 2023.
Croatia
All passenger train services between Serbia and Croatia have been suspended due to the pandemic.
Hungary
On 28 November 2023 passenger trains from Szeged to Subotica were reinstated. Trains run 5 times a day. There are fast and comfortable Intercity trains from Szeged to Budapest. Ticket costs 3,20 EUR
Online timetable and e-shop of Hungarian Railways
Srbijavoz – online timetable
Direct trains Budapest – Belgrade are suspended due to the construction of the high-speed railway between the two capitals.
Kosovo
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.
Montenegro
Famous all over the world Belgrade – Bar train currently run from Zemun to Bar. Overnight train comprised of seat carriage, couchette cars and sleeping cars runs all year round. During summer season additional daytime train is launched. In the summer season of 2024, a train from Novi Sad to Bar will run.
North Macedonia
There are no passenger trains between Serbia and North Macedonia. The main north–south line from Niš in to Thessaloniki passes through North Macedonia, but due to engineering works in Serbia all passenger services are suspended. There are plans to upgrade railway line from Niš to North Macedonian border to 160 km/h.
In 2010 there were two trains from Belgrade to Thessaloniki through Skopje: daytime and overnight train. Several years later daytime train was shortened to Skopje and ceased, overnight train ran as a summer train and was suspended.
Romania
There are no trains between Serbia and Romania. Train from Belgrade to Bucharest was suspended many years ago. Local trains Vršac – Timisoara were suspended because of pandemic. So far, no connection has been restored.
The Šargan Eight
One of the biggest tourist attractions in Greece is the Šargan Eight heritage narrow gauge railway, considered one of the most beautiful railway lines in Europe. Narrow gauge railway is running from the village of Mokra Gora to Šargan Vitasi station.
Construction of the railway line began during World War I and was extremely due to the mountainous terrain and poisonous snakes. The works were halted in 1916 after explosion during the digging of the tunnel killed between 150 and 200 Italian and Russian prisoners. The construction was resumed in 1921 in the newly formed Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes. The first train to Vardište made his journey on 25 January 1925.
The railway line was closed on 28 February 1974. Between 1999 and 2003 the Serbian section of the line was rebuilt by the Serbian Ministry of Tourism and the Yugoslav state railway JŽ. The line became fully operational on 1 September 2003. The line was extended to Višegrad in 2010.
Currently seasonal trains run from Mokra Gora to Šargan Vitasi and back, with occasionally running to Višegrad. The trains passes through the most beautiful mountain areas of Mokra Gora with 5 bridges and 22 tunnels and a descent of 300 m (980 ft) was surmounted with the tracks which curve in the shape of 8, hence the name.
Regular trains hauled by diesel locomotive are comprised of restored carriages from 1930s.
Trains usually run from April 1 to October 31 and from December 25 mid-January.
Srbijavoz – more information (Serbian language)
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