Kyiv–Chișinău train to run daily from June 28
Passengers travelling between Ukraine and Moldova will soon benefit from a more frequent rail service, as Ukrainian Railways has announced that the popular Kyiv–Chișinău "Bessarabia" train will operate daily from June 28.
The move follows discussions between Ukrainian Railways and Moldovan Railways, making travel between the two countries more convenient by removing the current every-other-day operating pattern. The daily schedule will simplify journey planning, particularly for passengers making onward international connections.
The timetable is also being adjusted to improve connectivity. From June 29, departure from Chișinău will be moved from 17:42 to 19:52, providing passengers with additional time to connect from flights and other transport services before beginning their rail journey to Kyiv.
The train will consist of both platskart carriages (open-plan sleeping cars with berths) and kupe carriages (compartment sleeping cars). A new family-friendly children's coach will also be introduced on the route from June 28. Developed by Ukrainian Railways, the specially equipped coach has been designed to make long-distance travel easier and more enjoyable for families travelling with young children.
The Kyiv–Chișinău route has become particularly important as it provide access to Chișinău International Airport, which offers flights to destinations across Europe. The airport has become an important alternative departure point for Ukrainian travellers when flights from neighbouring countries are heavily booked or unavailable.
Photo: ID 367154106 © Leonid Andronov from Dreamstime.com
Five-Year Closure Planned for Key Romanian Railway Route
Romania's rail infrastructure manager, CFR SA, has informed train operators that the important railway line between Drobeta-Turnu Severin and Caransebeș will be completely closed for reconstruction work from February 2027 until February 2032.
The closure forms part of the major modernisation of the Craiova – Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Caransebeș railway corridor, a project intended to bring the route up to modern European standards for speed, capacity and safety.
According to a notification issued by CFR SA's Traffic Directorate, the single-track electrified railway will be closed to all traffic for five years while extensive infrastructure works are carried out. These will include the complete renewal of track, signalling and electrification systems along the route.
Train operators have been asked to submit proposals for the 2026-2027 timetable that take account of the forthcoming closure. Passenger and freight services will need to be diverted via alternative routes, with revised operating plans developed well in advance of the start of construction.
The Drobeta-Turnu Severin – Caransebeș section forms part of an important rail link between the historic regions of Oltenia and Banat in western Romania. Its closure is expected to have a significant impact on both domestic and international rail traffic during the construction period.
Once completed, the modernisation programme is expected to deliver faster journey times, improved reliability and greater capacity for both passenger and freight trains. The project is being delivered through CFR SA's externally funded infrastructure investment programme.
The closure represents one of the largest railway infrastructure interventions currently planned on the Romanian network and underlines the scale of investment now being directed towards the country's railways.
Leo Express Launches Frankfurt–Prague–Przemyśl Service, But Route Changes Required Before Start
Private operator Leo Express will launch its new international service linking Frankfurt Flughafen, Praha and Przemyśl on June 25, although passengers will initially encounter a number of temporary changes to the planned operation.
The new route, one of the longest operated by a private railway company in Europe, was originally intended to provide a direct rail connection between Germany, the Czech Republic and south-eastern Poland. However, infrastructure works in Germany and regulatory issues in Poland have forced the operator to revise its plans just days before the inaugural departure.
The most significant change affects the Polish section of the route. Leo Express has been unable to secure final approval to operate trains between Bohumín and Przemyśl after Polish state operator PKP Intercity requested an economic equilibrium test. The objection centred on the fact that the Leo Express service would depart only four minutes ahead of a competing PKP Intercity train.
Until the approval process is completed, replacement buses will operate between Bohumín, Kraków and Przemyśl in both directions, connecting with the train service at Bohumín.
The operator has also had to alter the timetable because of extensive engineering works on the German network. As a result, the service now departs Bohumín in the late afternoon, reaching Prague in the evening before continuing overnight to Frankfurt Airport.
In the opposite direction, trains will leave Frankfurt Airport in the afternoon, reaching Prague shortly after midnight before arriving at Bohumín early the following morning. This represents a significant shift from the original plans, which had envisaged a morning departure from Frankfurt.
Initially, the service will be operated using three former Deutsche Bahn Avmz coaches, each offering 54 seats. All accommodation will be sold as Economy Class during the launch phase. Leo Express plans to expand the train later this summer with additional Business Class coaches and sleeping cars, similar to those already used on its Prague–Prešov services.
Current timetable:
Bohumín 17:45 – Prague 22:32 – Dresden 01:38 – Frankfurt Airport 08:06
Frankfurt Airport 14:39 – Dresden 22:30 – Prague 01:17 – Bohumín 06:01
Leo Express has warned that further timetable adjustments may be necessary while engineering works continue in Germany throughout the summer and autumn. Passengers are advised to check departure times before travel as schedules may vary from day to day.
Oulu–Haparanda Passenger Trains Confirmed for August Launch
Cross-border passenger trains between Finland and Sweden have been confirmed for an August 10 launch, following the signing of an agreement between VR and the Finnish Transport and Communications Agency (Traficom) for services between Oulu, Tornio and Haparanda.
The new route will provide 28 services each week and create a new international rail connection between the two countries.
The service is being introduced as part of Finland's state-supported regional rail programme, with additional funding provided by the cities of Oulu and Tornio, together with the Sea Lapland Development Centre.
The service will provide 28 trains each week, with two departures in each direction every day. Importantly, passenger trains will once again serve central Tornio, restoring rail services to the town after an absence of several decades.
Services will call at Oulu, Kemi, Tornio-Itäinen, Tornio and Haparanda. Trains will be operated using InterCity stock.
The route is expected to strengthen transport links across northern Scandinavia, improving connections not only between Finland and Sweden but also onwards towards Norway. It will also make rail travel between the university cities of Oulu and Luleå significantly easier.
According to VR, the introduction of the route has required extensive cooperation between Finnish and Swedish authorities, including work on customs procedures, border-crossing arrangements and technical railway requirements.
The launch marks a significant milestone for rail travel in northern Europe, creating a new international passenger rail link across the northernmost rail border between Finland and Sweden.
Tickets will go on sale on June 30, with the first trains operating on August 10. Celebratory events are planned at stations along the route on the opening day.
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