Key facts
- Travel to Kyiv during the war is limited to road or rail due to the closed airspace.
- Warsaw, Chisinau, and Budapest are common European transit points for travel to Ukraine.
- The Warsaw-Kyiv sleeper train takes about 14 hours, but tickets sell out quickly.
- Ukrainian trains use a different track gauge than most European trains, requiring passengers to switch at the border.
- Bus travel offers more flexibility with numerous daily trips from cities like Warsaw.
- Ukrzaliznytsia, Ukraine's state-owned train operator, opens ticket sales 20-30 days in advance.
Traveling to Ukraine's capital, Kyiv, during the ongoing war presents significant challenges, with the country's airspace remaining closed since February 2022. This leaves land-based travel via road or rail as the only options. The Ukrainian State Border Guard Service reported that over 20 million people passed through the border in the first half of 2026, indicating a substantial increase in travel despite the conflict.
For travelers coming from further afield, common entry points into Ukraine include flying to Poland or Moldova and then continuing by train or bus. Warsaw, Poland, has historically been a primary hub due to its international airport and robust transport networks, but its facilities have become overloaded. Chisinau, Moldova, and Budapest, Hungary, have emerged as alternative transit points, offering low-cost flights and direct bus connections to Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities.
Reaching Kyiv by train typically involves navigating different track gauges between European carriers and Ukrainian railways. Passengers often need to switch trains at border towns like Przemysl or Chelm in Poland, or at Chop in Hungary, where wheels may be swapped or passengers transfer. The Warsaw-Kyiv sleeper train is popular but sells out quickly, with journeys taking around 14 hours. Direct trains from Przemysl or Chelm to Kyiv take approximately 10-11 hours. Travel from Budapest averages about 18 hours. Moldova, however, uses the same track gauge as Ukraine, allowing for direct train service from Chisinau, with journeys taking over 17 hours.
Bus travel provides greater flexibility. Companies like FlixBus offer numerous daily trips from Warsaw, with journey times ranging from 13 to 18 hours. Smaller, more luxurious minibusses seating up to 10 passengers are also available, offering amenities like Wi-Fi and more comfortable seating, with travel times potentially as short as 11 hours depending on the route and border crossing.
Planning ahead is crucial for purchasing tickets. Ukrzaliznytsia typically opens sales 20 days before departure, with some international routes available up to 30 days in advance. Foreigners without a Ukrainian bank account must undergo additional identity verification through the Diia app, involving passport photos and a security code. Tickets for international routes can also be purchased through partner websites like RegioJet or Polish Railways. Prices for train tickets from Poland range from $50 to over $110, while tickets from Chisinau cost between $55 and $80. Bus tickets can be as low as $54.98 with advance booking, though private minibusses can cost over $150 for transfers between Warsaw Airport and Kyiv.
Travel during wartime is inherently unpredictable. Border crossings that once took an hour can now take two to three hours, impacting connections. While a passport is required for entry, most European, North American, and other foreign nationals can stay visa-free for up to 90 days. Air-raid alerts are a constant factor, leading to emergency stops and passenger disembarkation, a measure implemented after Russian drones struck civilian trains.