Tito’s Blue Train One of the Most Luxurious Trains in the World
Words: Daniil Korzhuev
Photos: Arina Borevich
In 1946, a high-class train was designed and built specifically for Josip Broz Tito, the President of Yugoslavia, to be used for his official and personal visits. At the time, most trains in the country were green, but Tito’s train was painted in a distinguished blue — hence its name.
The President frequently traveled across Yugoslavia and neighboring countries on the Blue Train, which even reached destinations like France and the Soviet Union. Over the years, Tito covered more than 600,000 kilometers aboard this luxurious train.
The Blue Train was also often used during visits by foreign leaders. Sixty heads of state traveled on it, including French President Charles de Gaulle, Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie, and Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. Notably, the train underwent special renovations in 1972 to accommodate the Queen’s visit.
The design of the Blue Train, executed in the Art Deco style, is stunningly luxurious: mahogany paneling, intricate inlays, and silk curtains. Among the preserved carriages are a dining car with a bar and a dining hall seating 28 guests, a banquet carriage, a kitchen carriage capable of storing provisions for 300 meals, a suite carriage, and even a garage carriage that could hold up to four automobiles.
The most fascinating carriage is, of course, Tito’s personal suite: it featured a bedroom, an office equipped with a secure communication system, a meeting room, a bathroom, and even air conditioning — a rarity for the time. This fully functional residence on rails was operated by several dozen staff members, and the train could reach speeds of up to 140 km/h.
On May 5, 1980, the train carried Tito’s coffin across the country. Its final official journey took place in 1989 when Slobodan Milošević used the Blue Train for a visit to Kosovo. After a decade of inactivity, the train was reopened to the public in 2004, allowing visitors to experience this remarkable piece of history.
How to Visit the Blue Train
Visiting the train requires a bit of effort, almost like completing a small quest. The train is open to visitors only on weekdays from 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. To schedule a visit, you need to send a request at least 48 hours in advance to marketing@srbvoz.rs.
On the chosen day or the day before your visit, go to Belgrade Central Station, provide the ticket clerk with your booking details (date and time), and pay for your ticket (300 dinars) either in cash or by card.
The train itself is located in the depot at Topčider (Bulevar patrijarha Pavla 8). To get there from the central station, take bus number 34 and get off at the Milana Blagojevića Španca stop. From there, it’s a 40-minute walk to the depot.
Upon arrival, a staff member will greet you, guide you through the train, and share fascinating stories about its history.
• Bulevar patrijarha Pavla 8 •
