On 3 October, the President of Serbia, Aleksandar Vučić, officially inaugurated the Novi Sad – Subotica high-speed rail line, marking a major milestone in the country’s modern transport infrastructure.
The event was commemorated with a maiden journey on the new route, joined by representatives of China Railway International and China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), the firms responsible for the project.
“This railway line will significantly contribute to the development of our economy. I am proud of what we have achieved. I am especially grateful to our Chinese partners for their professionalism, and to the citizens of Serbia for their strong support and trust,” said President Vučić during the inaugural ride.
The new line forms part of a wider corridor connecting Belgrade to Subotica via a 183-km route capable of supporting speeds of up to 200 km/h. The inaugural journey, which lasted just one hour from Belgrade Central Station to Subotica, included senior government officials from Serbia, as well as key representatives from Hungary and China. By March 2026, the high-speed connection is expected to extend further to Budapest, reducing total travel time between the two capitals to just 90 minutes—significantly faster than the current four-hour journey by car.
Exactly one year prior to the opening, test runs began on the 108 km double-track section from Novi Sad to Subotica and the Hungarian border at Kelebija. These trials were conducted by Deutsche Bahn Systemtechnik, ensuring compliance with European technical and safety standards.
The comprehensive project included the full modernisation of the existing railway, the construction of a second track, and the installation of ETCS Level 2 signalling. In total, 58 new buildings and facilities were built, alongside 30 overpasses, 13 underpasses, and four bridges over the Danube–Tisa–Danube canal. Additionally, nine railway stations were reconstructed and three entirely new stations were constructed along the route.
According to President Vučić, the Novi Sad – Subotica high-speed rail line “brings faster economic progress, attracts new investors, creates jobs, and supports the development of tourism infrastructure. It also means that more people from Belgrade and Novi Sad will be visiting Subotica, and residents of northern Serbia will be able to travel more quickly and easily.”
For CCCC, this project marks the first high-speed railway built by Chinese companies on European soil. The overall value of the investment reached EUR 938 million, with EUR 843 million (85%) financed through a loan from the Chinese Export-Import Bank. The remaining EUR 148.6 million (15%) was secured from Serbia’s national budget. The contract was signed in 2018, and construction officially commenced in 2021.
Belgrade – Budapest railway project
The new line forms a key section of the international rail Corridor Xb, which runs from Budapest through Novi Sad and Stara Pazova, continuing southward toward Belgrade and beyond. It strengthens Serbia’s strategic importance as a transit country connecting central and southeastern Europe.
Earlier progress on this broader initiative included the opening of the 75 km Belgrade – Novi Sad high-speed line in March 2022. This was the first completed section of the Belgrade – Budapest railway, a flagship infrastructure project that is redefining rail connectivity in the region.
The Belgrade – Budapest railway is among the most significant rail developments in Serbia’s modern history, providing a direct link to the European Union’s transport network. Spanning 350 km in total—183 km in Serbia and 167 km in Hungary—the line is expected to cut travel time between the two capitals to just 2 hours and 40 minutes once fully completed. For Serbia, this initiative forms part of its broader rail investment strategy leading up to 2027.
In the years ahead, the line is anticipated not only to facilitate greater mobility for passengers but also to enhance freight efficiency, supporting Serbia’s ambitions to become a regional logistics hub. It is seen as a symbol of regional cooperation and a key pillar in the country’s strategy for sustainable development and integration with the wider European transport system.
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