The railway network in Kosovo forms the country's railway system, with Infrakos responsible for managing the railway infrastructure and Trainkos operating passenger and freight railway services.
History
The construction of the Kosovar rail network began in 1874 with the construction of the line between Hani i Elezit, Fushë Kosova and Mitrovica. The railway became very significant for the transportation of travellers and goods, as well as for the economic development of the country and connectivity with other regions. During the 20th century, the following lines were built: Mitrovica – Leshak and Fushë Kosova – Pristina in 1934, Fushë Kosova – Peja in 1936, Pristina– Besjana – Livadica in 1949, and Klina – Prizren in 1963.
On 27 September 1999, the Kosovo Train for Life charter train arrived in Pristina, bringing aid and rolling stock in connection with the Kosovo Force peace-keeping efforts.
In 2014, the rail infrastructure covered most of the country and connected all major cities with the exception of Gjilan and Gjakova. By August 2025, however, only one train line saw daily service, between Pristina and Peja.
Trains
Trainkos operates diesel locomotives and passenger coaches for domestic passenger services, as well as locomotives and wagons for freight transport. Its rolling stock includes locomotives originating from the former Yugoslav Railways and locomotives acquired or rebuilt from other railway operators. The locomotive fleet has included JŽ 661-derived locomotives, EMD GT22HW-2 locomotives and EMD JT38CW-DC locomotives. NOHAB Di 3 locomotives were formerly operated by Trainkos but are no longer in regular service. The Y1 diesel railcars were also formerly used for passenger services but were not in operation in 2025.
The railways of Kosovo have historically played a role in the transportation of passengers and goods. Passenger numbers were estimated at 870 passengers per day in 2005. This increased to 1,100 passengers per day in 2006 and 1,143 in 2007. In 2008, passenger numbers decreased by 18.77% to approximately 929 passengers per day, before increasing by 10.51% in 2009 to 1,026 passengers per day. In 2010, passenger numbers increased slightly to 1,032 passengers per day.
Passenger traffic subsequently declined substantially. In 2011, Trainkos recorded 279,330 passengers, followed by 267,901 in 2012 and 276,852 in 2013. By 2024, annual passenger numbers had fallen to 68,743. In 2025, passenger numbers increased to 88,036, representing a 28.07% increase compared with 2024. Passenger transport during 2025 was limited to the Pristina–Peja–Pristina line because of the rehabilitation works on Railway Line 10, with six trains per day. Trainkos reported that the passenger figure does not include passengers exempt from travel fees, as no mechanism for recording them had yet been established.
Freight transport has also declined substantially from its historical levels. Trainkos recorded 877,332 tonnes of freight in 2010, 748,667 tonnes in 2011, 488,539 tonnes in 2012 and 778,134 tonnes in 2013. In 2024, only 1,984.66 tonnes were transported, while freight transport recorded 0 tonnes in 2025 because of the closure of Railway Line 10.
For a detailed list of Trainkos rolling stock, see Trainkos § Rolling stock.
Services
Domestic transport As of mid-2026, Trainkos only offers passenger service on one line: a local train running twice every day from Peja to Pristina and back.
International transport
Current and suspended international services
The railway connection between Pristina and Skopje in North Macedonia is Kosovo's principal international passenger railway connection. The route runs from Pristina via Fushë Kosovë, Ferizaj and Hani i Elezit to Skopje. Trainkos has operated international passenger services on the route in cooperation with the railway operator in North Macedonia.
Passenger service on the Pristina–Skopje route has been suspended since 2020. The suspension is related to the rehabilitation works on the railway line between Fushë Kosovë and Hani i Elezit.
Albania – No connection Montenegro – No connection North Macedonia – Closed Serbia – Closed in Zvečan/Lešak and closed in Merdare
Former international connections and services
From June 2008, Serbian Railways operated regular passenger services from Serbia to Zvečan in northern Kosovo, later extending the service to North Mitrovica. The services operated without authorization from Kosovo's railway authorities, which considered the operation illegal. The operation was also part of the wider political dispute over the administration of northern Kosovo. The services ended in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, when trains from central Serbia stopped entering Kosovo and began terminating at Rudnica near the Jarinje crossing.
On 28 May 2026, Kosovo authorities took control of railway facilities in Zvečan and Leposaviq that had previously been operated by Serbian Railways. Kosovo's acting Minister of Infrastructure stated that all public railway facilities and properties in northern Kosovo had returned to the full management of INFRAKOS.
North Macedonia – 1999–2020 Yugoslavia – 1999–2003 Serbia and Montenegro – 2003–2006 Serbia – 2008–2020 (operated without authorization from Kosovo railway authorities)
Future developments
Modernisation of Railway Line 10
The modernisation of Railway Line 10, Kosovo's main north–south railway corridor, is being carried out in phases. The first major phase covers the section between Fushë Kosovë and Hani i Elezit on the border with North Macedonia. The works include the rehabilitation of tracks, tunnels and bridges, as well as signalling and electrification systems. The project has received financial support from the European Union, the European Investment Bank and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
Kosovo–Albania railway
The planned Pristina–Durrës railway would connect Kosovo with the Port of Durrës on the Adriatic coast. The planned route would connect Pristina with Durrës through Gjakova and Shkodër. The feasibility study and preliminary design for the project were completed in 2025. In September 2026, the Government of Kosovo announced plans to begin construction of the Gjakova–Shkodër section as part of the planned Pristina–Durrës railway connection.
Restoration of the Kosovo–North Macedonia railway connection
Kosovo and North Macedonia have discussed restoring railway traffic between the two countries and establishing a joint railway border crossing. The connection would restore international passenger and freight railway traffic between Pristina and Skopje via Hani i Elezit and Blace. As of August 2026, the restoration was under discussion between the two countries and no fixed reopening date had been announced.
Statistics
Passenger Transport
Year Number of passengers Ticket sales in EUR 2025 88,036 78,938 2024 68,743 59,397 2023 70,517 61,356 2022 71,696 61,110 2021 61,081 51,205 2020 58,819 48,075 2019 120,309 104,392 2018 118,466 97,424 2017 156,618 123,382 2016 278,190 203,216 2015 268,372 204,669 2014 352,410 250,711 2013 276,852 179,515 2012 267,901 171,943 2011 279,330 193,593 2010 281,650 184,972
Freight Transport
Year Tons of goods (Net) Revenues in EUR 2025 0 5,995 2024 1,985 16,704 2023 195,671 478,406 2022 22,340 145,584 2021 538,012 1,133,104 2020 334,150 794,297 2019 487,932 1,035,705 2018 268,700 587,888 2017 432,329 885,832 2016 244,649 646,002 2015 742,439 1,872,058 2014 837,830 2,665,437 2013 778,134 2,332,274 2012 488,539 1,601,675 2011 748,667 2,450,434 2010 877,332 2,864,370
References
External links