Overnight Train Service Expansion: Leo Express Seeks Approval for Belgium to Slovakia Route
The Czech railway firm Leo Express has proposed a new transnational direct night train service that will connect Ostend, Belgium, and Bratislava, Slovakia, starting from 13 December 2026, subject to regulatory approval [1][2][3][4][5].
This ambitious project involves a daily round trip between the two cities, with key stops along the way. In Belgium, the train will call at Ostend, Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Leuven, and Liège. The journey will continue through Germany, with stops in Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Magdeburg, Leipzig, and Dresden [1][2].
Upon entering the Czech Republic, the train will stop at Prague, Pardubice, and Otrokovice. The route will then lead into Slovakia, with stops at Kúty, Malacky, Devínska Nová Ves, and the final destination, Bratislava [1][2][4].
The journey is projected to take approximately 19 hours, with over 50 stops on the route. The eastbound train departs Ostend at 7:10 PM and arrives in Bratislava the next day around 2:18 PM. The westbound train leaves Bratislava at 2:44 PM and arrives back in Ostend at 9:52 AM the following morning [1][2][4].
The train will feature first- and second-class carriages, as well as a couchette car, aiming to expand international rail connections through Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. The Belgian Regulatory Body for Railway Transport and Brussels Airport Operations, along with other regulatory bodies in the countries involved, will make the final decision on whether to grant formal authorisation for the service [3][4].
Leo Express, a private railway firm founded by Leoš Novotný in 2010, has already established strategic partnerships with Uber, Trainline, and FlixTrain, among others. The firm is known for its excellent service in any class, according to train expert The Man in Seat 61 [6].
This new trans-European night train could provide a modern way to access alternative, less well-trodden destinations in Eastern Europe. Furthermore, the service could put Bratislava's under-the-radar Christmas market on the map [7].
[1] The proposed Leo Express transnational direct night train from Ostend, Belgium to Bratislava, Slovakia
[2] Leo Express night train: Bratislava-Ostend
[3] Belgian Regulatory Body for Railway Transport and Brussels Airport Operations
[4] Leo Express application for new transnational direct night train
[5] Brussels Airport Operations
[6] The Man in Seat 61
[7] Bratislava Christmas Market
- The new Leo Express transnational direct night train service, set to start on 13 December 2026, promises to be a significant addition to the European tourism industry, offering an eco-friendly holiday trip across Belgium, Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
- With key stops at Ostend, Bruges, Ghent, Brussels, Leuven, Liège, Aachen, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Magdeburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Prague, Pardubice, Otrokovice, Kúty, Malacky, Devínska Nová Ves, and Bratislava, this tour could be a unique escape for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations.
- The finance sector will play a crucial role in determining the success of this ambitious project, as regulatory bodies like the Belgian Regulatory Body for Railway Transport and Brussels Airport Operations will make the final decision on whether to authorize the service.
- Aiming to expand international rail connections, the train will feature first- and second-class carriages, as well as a couchette car, ensuring a comfortable journey for tourists.
- Strategic partnerships with Uber, Trainline, and FlixTrain, among others, position Leo Express as a reliable choice for travelers, given its excellent reputation for service in any class, according to train expert The Man in Seat 61.
- This modern trans-European night train could potentially put Bratislava's under-the-radar Christmas market on the map, offering visitors a memorable destination for their holiday trip.
