Prague-Rijeka train connection enjoys unexpected success

In its first month of operations, the service has been used over 50,000 times

Railway transport has been all the rage in Europe for the past few years when it comes to alternative mobility solutions – it is environmentally friendly, convenient and, above all, cheaper compared to flights and car travel. Yet for railways to truly flourish they also need adequate support and an enticing offer to travellers – boasting both is a recipe for success, as evidenced by the direct Prague-Rijeka line that has been in operation for the past month.

Cross-border travel made easy thanks to railways

The railway line connecting the Czech capital of Prague and the Croatian port city of Rijeka has seen unprecedented numbers of users over the last month. At first, between 30 June and 10 July, it left Prague and headed to Croatia every three days – but since then, it has grown into a daily service.

The largest chunk of travellers hails from Prague and the Czech Republic itself, with barely 10% of ticket sales for the train coming from Croatia. The train has stops in Pardubice, Brno, Bratislava and Ljubljana and has a capacity for some 560 users. Regular tickets for the service cost some 22 euros, while for carriages with beds, the ticket is priced at 30.

The train’s final destination of Rijeka is not only sought after for the city itself but also due to the fact that it acts as a staging ground and connection point to many other tourist hotspots across Croatia and the Dalmatian coast. The central location of Rijeka has without a doubt played a key role in the success of the route.

So far over 50,000 tickets have been sold for the service and 20,000 individuals have made use of the connection. The connection will remain available throughout August and will make its last journey on 26 September 2020 with the closing of the summer season.