Rychlík

Rychlík, in Slovak rýchlik, is a category of passenger railway service used in the Czech Republic and Slovakia to designate express trains. These services are intended to be faster than ordinary local trains by stopping only at selected larger stations, thereby shortening travel times between major cities while still serving a broad regional network. The name derives from rychlý, meaning fast.

Historically, rychlíky emerged as rail networks expanded to connect capitals and industrial centers and have remained a common intercity option. In contemporary timetables, they operate alongside local Osobní vlaky (local trains) and semi-fast Spěšné vlaky, providing a balance between speed and coverage. Rychlíky are typically run by the national operators Česká dráha (ČD) in the Czech Republic and Železničná spoločnosť Slovensko (ZSSK) in Slovakia, though exact classifications and stopping patterns can vary over time and between operators.

Characteristics of rychlíky generally include fewer stops than local services, a focus on longer-distance routes, and standard passenger amenities suitable for medium- to long-distance travel. They may use conventional rail lines and rolling stock appropriate for regional to intercity travel. The specific routes, frequencies, and ticketing arrangements of rychlíky are determined by current timetables and operator policies, and can differ between the Czech Republic and Slovakia as well as over time.