Expansion into Poland and other international routes delivers a record summer for Leo Express

Prague, 10 September 2026 

Leo Express has recorded its strongest summer season to date. During July and August, the company carried a total of 321,599 passengers on its international and domestic long-distance routes, nearly 40% more year-on-year. The introduction of new services in Poland on the Warsaw–Kraków–Prague route and back contributed most significantly to this growth, with passenger numbers on the Polish market rising from 23,000 to more than 153,000 year-on-year. Further passenger growth was driven by the launch of new services on the Prague–Olomouc–Otrokovice (Zlín)–Bratislava route and back, as well as international services on the Frankfurt–Dresden–Prague–Ostrava–Przemyśl route and back. A strong trend is also evident in international travel across Europe: the number of Interrail pass holders who travelled with Leo Express this summer more than quadrupled year-on-year. 

“This summer confirms that demand for comfortable rail travel between European cities continues to grow. Our growth, driven by results in Poland, Czechia and Slovakia, builds on this year’s expansion and the extension of our services between Warsaw, Kraków, Bratislava and Prague. We are also pleased to see significant growth in international passengers travelling with Interrail passes, showing that people are increasingly choosing trains to explore Europe,” says Peter Köhler, CEO of Leo Express. 

Passenger numbers in Poland increased more than sixfold 

Poland was the main driver of growth this summer. While Leo Express carried 23,103 passengers on its Polish routes in July and August 2025, this year the figure reached 153,400. This represents a more than sixfold increase year-on-year. 

Passenger numbers at individual stations also changed significantly. During this year’s summer holiday period, 49,786 passengers boarded Leo Express services in Kraków, compared with 4,854 last year – more than ten times as many. In Warsaw, more than 20,000 passengers boarded Leo Express services during the summer. 

Leo Express’ expansion into Poland therefore directly contributed to its record summer. The growth follows the company’s expansion in the Polish market earlier this year. In March, Leo Express launched regular services on the Warsaw–Kraków route and the international Warsaw–Kraków–Prague connection. The company subsequently further increased its service offering ahead of the peak summer season. 

Interrail sees strong growth, with more than four times as many passengers 

Another significant trend this summer was travel using international Interrail passes. These passes allow unlimited train travel across Europe for a specified period, enabling passengers to explore European countries by rail, and are particularly popular among younger travellers. They are available in first- and second-class options. 

While 868 passengers with Interrail passes travelled on Leo Express services during the summer months last year, this year the number reached 3,495. This represents an increase of 303%, or more than four times as many passengers. Routes to Poland were the most popular, particularly between Prague and Kraków. Journeys between Prague and Warsaw and between Warsaw and Kraków were also among the most frequently used connections. 

The number of passengers travelling with both second-class Interrail passes, which correspond to Economy class on Leo Express trains, and first-class Interrail passes, which correspond to Business class, increased significantly. The number of passengers with second-class Interrail passes rose by 341%, while the number travelling with first-class Interrail passes increased by 188%. 

Higher travel classes are growing in popularity 

Demand for more comfortable travel in higher classes, offering a broader range of onboard services and additional benefits, also increased significantly. During this year’s summer holiday period, 21,421 passengers travelled in Business class on Leo Express trains, representing a year-on-year increase of nearly 70%. Economy remained the most widely used class, with more than 283,000 passengers travelling in Economy during the summer. 

Fridays were for departures, Sundays for returns 

The data also show a clear pattern in summer travel. Nine of the ten busiest days of the entire summer fell on either a Friday or a Sunday. Of the top 10 busiest days, five were Sundays and four were Fridays. 

The busiest day of this summer was Sunday, 26 July, when Leo Express carried 6,591 passengers. By comparison, on the busiest day of last year’s summer holiday period, Leo Express carried a total of 4,331 passengers. 

Budvar beats cappuccino, while the fajitas baguette tops the food menu 

The summer figures reveal not only where passengers travelled, but also what they ordered most frequently during their journeys. Budvar 33 was the best-selling alcoholic beverage, with 11,132 units sold. Cappuccino was the most popular coffee drink, with passengers ordering 5,344 cups. 

The fajitas baguette became the best-selling food item of the summer, with 10,226 sold, while the Caesar wrap came in second with 9,987 sold. 

Leo Express long-distance train

© Leo Express

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Refreshments on the Leo Express train

© Leo Express

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