Hungary-Serbia Railway Hungary Section Launches Freight Service
Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-02-28 Origin: Site
A Landmark Belt and Road Project in Central and Eastern Europe
On February 27, 2026, local time (7:00 Beijing time), a fully loaded freight train departed from Ferencváros Station in Budapest, Hungary. This historic moment officially marks the start of freight operations on the Hungary-Serbia Railway Hungary section, a flagship project under the Belt and Road Initiative.
Major Breakthrough in Transport Efficiency
Before the full completion of the Hungary-Serbia Railway, travel between Budapest and Belgrade took nearly 8 hours.
Once fully operational, travel time will be drastically reduced to approximately 3.5 hours.
As a key north-south transport artery, the railway strongly connects Central and Eastern Europe, improves cross-border mobility of people and goods, upgrades travel conditions for local residents, and drives regional economic and social development.
China-Hungary Cooperation: Flagship Belt and Road Project
The Hungary section was jointly constructed by subsidiaries of China Railway Group Limited and local Hungarian companies.It serves as:
A landmark project of China-Hungary Belt and Road cooperation
A flagship initiative for China-CEE cooperation
The first successful integration of China’s railway technology and equipment with the EU’s TSI (Technical Specification for Interoperability)
This achievement provides valuable experience for Chinese railway standards to go global and participate in international rule-making.
Advanced Design & Technical Specifications
The Hungary-Serbia Railway links Budapest (Hungary) and Belgrade (Serbia).
Length of Hungary section: 158.6 km
Type: dual-track electrified railway
Operation mode: passenger-freight dual use
Design speed: up to 160 km/h
Construction started: 2022
The scientific design supports both efficient passenger transport and stable freight logistics, laying a solid foundation for cross-border trade in the region.
Strategic Value of Freight Launch
The launch of freight services on the Hungary-Serbia Railway Hungary section is another major achievement of China-Hungary cooperation.
It creates new opportunities for logistics and trade in Central and Eastern Europe, enhances regional connectivity, and promotes deeper and higher-level international cooperation.
