Prague’s Smíchov railway station overhaul entered a new phase with commuter rail disruptions and progress on a multi-billion koruna transit terminal project. Správa železnic advanced construction to keep schedules on track, while municipal officials approved a multi-million koruna technical oversight contract for the multi-modal hub.
The large-scale modernization of Prague’s Smíchov railway station links trains, the metro, municipal and intercity buses, and trams into a unified transportation hub. Originally opened in 1862 as the second large station in Prague, the location has evolved into one of the city’s busiest railway junctions alongside the main station and Masaryk station. The current station building dates back to the 1950s after World War II damage destroyed the original structures, and the ongoing transformation aims to reshape how travelers navigate the southwestern transit corridor.
Railway Modernization and Track Disruptions
Construction work on the railway tracks began in late 2023 under a multi-billion koruna initiative managed by Správa železnic, which also plans to reconstruct the station building itself. That station overhaul involves replacing the southern wing with a four-story new development featuring shops and restaurants.
To keep the broader construction schedule on track, track closures between Smíchov and Radotín started earlier than originally planned. Správa železnic stated that the adjusted timeline prevents much longer disruptions during the fall months.
A sewage line within the construction zone ran in a different location than initial documentation indicated, and its technical condition forced builders to add extra structural and safety measures.
Platform Openings and Commuter Adjustments
Travelers navigating the transit node face temporary detours while workers finish critical platform infrastructure. Morning S7 line trains running between the main station and Radotín, alongside afternoon trains in the reverse direction, are diverted through Krč and skip Velká Chuchle and Smíchov. Additional services bypass Velká Chuchle entirely, and select morning connections between Radotín and Smíchov are canceled on workdays.
Amid these adjustments, construction on the third existing platform and the brand-new fourth platform is nearing completion. Both platforms feature finished roofing, shelters, waiting areas, and newly laid paving tiles, alongside escalators being installed on the pedestrian footbridge linking Smíchov, Radlice, and the tracks.
Workers are already laying tracks between the two platforms, advancing technological building construction, and working on railway bridges toward the main station. Trains now cross Nádražní street on a newly operational track structure, while bridge spans over Hořejší nábřeží utilize a temporary steel bridge.
Terminal Oversight and Multimodal Design
Prague city leadership advanced the associated multi-billion koruna terminal project by approving a technical oversight contract valued at millions in koruna without VAT, awarded to a consortium led by BUNG CZ. The municipal government selected the tender winner on the second attempt after an earlier selection was canceled following an objection from a participant.
The city initiated the contractor tender for the terminal construction itself in June of last year and has not yet finalized it. The overall transport terminal carries an estimated price tag of billions in koruna without VAT.
Under the planned layout, pedestrian subways will lead from Nádražní street to the platforms. The station level will sit on the same plane as today, topped by a relocated bus terminal shifting operations away from the current Na Knížecí station, with the metro station located directly beneath.
Coordinated Construction Strategy
To minimize future disruptions, Správa železnic and the Prague magistrate agreed to build certain sections of the future bus terminal ahead of schedule. Coordinating these municipal investments alongside ongoing railway modernization ensures that subsequent construction phases will cause minimal interference with active train operations.
The new platforms are scheduled to open to the public in October, providing an initial milestone for commuters who have contended with extended track outages. Detailed schedule updates and alternative routing information remain available directly through regional transit portals and railway customer channels.
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