Coffee or Breakfast? Eatster in Slovak Trains

Let’s be honest. How many times have you sat on a train, looked out of the window and found yourself thinking about one thing: a good coffee or even a hot meal?

Unlike in a restaurant, train passengers do not naturally pass a counter where they can stop and place an order. They remain in their seats, which means the service needs to reach them in a different way.

This is exactly where Eatster comes in, making it possible for passengers to order some food or coffee while they travel. On board trains served by Wagon Slovakia, passengers can order food and drinks through the Eatster mobile app or by scanning a QR code.

When the QR Code Is Right in Front of the Passenger

Since introducing mobile ordering, Wagon Slovakia has recorded steady growth in the number of orders placed through the app.

This is where the value of QR codes on trains becomes clear. When the code is visible directly at the passenger’s seat, there is no need to search for the service. They discover it naturally while sitting back and deciding what they would like to eat or drink during the journey.

“Customers are gradually getting used to this new way of ordering and appreciate how simple, quick and convenient it is. We saw the biggest increase in orders after introducing QR codes in first class,” says Martina Zbojovská, Dining Car Services Manager at Wagon Slovakia.

Ordering Directly from the Passenger’s Seat

For passengers, the greatest benefit is convenience.

In first class, passengers can scan the QR code and place an order without leaving their seat. The onboard team then delivers it directly to them. There is no need to walk to the dining car, worry about leaving their luggage or their window seat unattended.

QR codes are not yet available in other travel classes. Passengers can, however, order through the Eatster mobile app, where they enter their train, carriage and seat number. Once they receive a notification, they can collect the completed order from the dining car.

Passengers do not have to stand in a busy dining car and wait for their food to be prepared. They only make their way there once the order is ready.

The difference, therefore, lies not only in the technology itself. What also matters is how easily passengers can discover the service and access it at the moment they need it.

Once Passengers Try It, the Next Order Comes Naturally

“After the first successful experience, digital ordering becomes a natural part of the journey, and customers continue to use it when they travel with us again,” adds Martina Zbojovská.

Digital ordering on trains does not require a lengthy learning process. Experience shows that most passengers become comfortable with the system after placing just one or two orders.

Once the first order has been completed without difficulty, using the service again feels natural. For frequent rail travellers, ordering through a QR code or the Eatster app can therefore become a regular part of the journey.

This is also why a loyalty programme makes sense in rail travel. Many passengers do not travel by train only once. They use the service regularly to commute to work or school, attend business meetings or visit family.

Weekend Happy Hour

Eatster’s digital ordering system also enables operators to run targeted promotions at specific times.

Passengers can currently take advantage of Weekend Happy Hour. The promotion runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. and offers a 20% discount on seasonal dishes.

For the operator, this is a practical way to promote selected items during a defined time window and then evaluate the results.

Discounts for Specific Passenger Groups

In addition to time-limited promotions, Eatster enables operators to offer discounts to specific customer groups.

Selected Wagon Slovakia employees currently have their own discount set up within the system. This is one example of customer segmentation, allowing an operator to provide preferential conditions to a defined group of users.

The employee discount also demonstrates how Eatster can be used to deliver targeted benefits to specific customer segments.

A Clearer Overview for the Onboard Team

Digital ordering does more than improve convenience for passengers. It also gives the onboard team a clearer and more structured view of incoming orders.

“From an operational perspective, the system provides a clear overview of all incoming orders and their sequence, making them easier to process,” adds Martina Zbojovská.

At the same time, she points out that delivering orders directly to passengers requires the onboard team to organize its work effectively, particularly during periods of higher demand.

A Service That Reaches the Passenger

On a train, the goal is not simply to help passengers order more quickly. What matters is making the service available at the moment they need it, directly from their seat.

QR codes in first class, at-seat delivery or Weekend Happy Hour demonstrate how digital ordering can become a natural part of modern rail travel in Slovakia.