How to get to Ukraine from Croatia in 2025: convenient routes, entry rules and useful tips

In 2025, there are no restrictions on entry into Ukraine for foreigners, but travel may be complicated due to closed airspace. We talk about the most convenient routes from Croatia to Ukraine and the current rules for crossing the border

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Ukraine's borders are open to foreign visitors. Tourists continue to come to Ukraine despite the hostilities. According to official sources, in 2024 alone, more than 2.54 million foreigners entered Ukraine, including 1,831 Croatian citizens.

This trend continues in 2025. Most often, foreigners come to Ukraine on personal visits, on trips and as part of volunteer missions. Given that world powers are gradually easing their recommendations for their citizens regarding travel to Ukraine, it is predicted that the number of visitors will grow and that other countries will also lift restrictions.

However, with the airspace closed, travelling to Ukraine has its own peculiarities. It is also necessary to follow certain safety rules when travelling.

How to get to Ukraine from Croatia? What are the rules for entering Ukraine in 2025? Useful information for those planning to travel this year is compiled in our article.

Air flight from Croatia to the Ukrainian border + train/bus

The most convenient and fastest way to get to Ukraine is to fly to one of the airports in Europe, which is located near the Ukrainian border, and from there continue the journey by land transport - by train or bus.

Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. There are many direct flights from Croatia to these countries.

Croatia – Poland

- Warsaw can be reached by direct flight from Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and Zadar. Ticket price from 40 euros. Travel time is about 1 hour 30 minutes. The cheapest flights are operated by Ryanair.

- Krakow is one of the closest Polish airports to the Ukrainian border, where flights from Zadar and Dubrovnik are made. Ticket price from 20 euros. Travel time – 1 hour 30 minutes.

 - You can fly to Rzeszów (Ryaszów) on a direct flight from Zadar, departures are available twice a week - on Monday and Friday. Travel time from 1 hour 30 minutes. Ticket price from 30 euros. The airport in Rzeszów is the closest Polish airport to the Ukrainian border, it is located 172 km from Lviv (Ukraine).

You can also take a direct flight from Croatia to Poznan, Katowice, Gdansk and Wroclaw.

The detailed route from Poland to Ukraine is here.

Croatia – Moldova

There are flights from Dubrovnik, Split, Zagreb and Zadar to Chisinau airport from Croatia, but only with transfers. Ticket price from 80 euros. Travel time - from 4 hours.

The distance to the Ukrainian border from Chisinau is 130 km - Palanka checkpoint (Odesa region). The nearest large Ukrainian city: Odesa. Tourists planning a trip to the southern regions of Ukraine should choose a flight to Chisinau airport.

There is a direct train from Chisinau to Kyiv. Bus transfers to Odessa are also available.

Croatia – Slovakia

You can fly from Croatia to the Slovak airport Košice, which is closest to the Ukrainian border, only with transfers. Flights are available from Split, Zagreb and Zadar. The duration of such a trip is from 4 to 9 hours. Ticket price from 90 euros.

From Kosice you can reach Chopa and Mukachevo. In more detail, we have already told how to get to Ukraine from Slovakia.

Croatia – Hungary

There are connecting flights to Budapest and Debrecen from Zagreb. The journey time is about 5 hours, the price of the ticket is from 150 euros.

There is a direct train from Budapest to Kyiv. A detailed route from Hungary to Ukraine is also available on our website.

Croatia – Romania

Only connecting flights are available to Suceava, usually in Bucharest. Ticket price from 150 euros, trip duration from 5 hours 30 minutes.

You can easily get to Chernivtsi from Suceava, there is a daily bus from the bus station, the journey to Chernivtsi takes 2-3 hours.

The detailed route from Romania to Ukraine is here.

Pay attention! If you plan to buy tickets for the near future, the prices may be much higher.

By train from Croatia to Ukraine

There are no direct trains from Croatia to Ukraine, but there are trains from Poland, Austria, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, and Moldova.

Therefore, travellers from Croatia often reach European cities with direct train connections to Ukraine and continue their journey by train.

From which cities can you travel to Ukraine by train - read here.

Is it worth traveling by train from Croatia to Ukraine?

Advantages of traveling by train from Croatia to Ukraine:

1. The fastest way to cross the border - customs clearance takes about 2-2.5 hours.

2. Comfort - thanks to a comfortable seat, the passenger will be able to rest during the trip.

Where to buy train tickets from Croatia to Ukraine?

Tickets for most Ukrzaliznytsia flights from Poland can be bought online on the official website of Ukrzaliznytsia, in the mobile application and through official chatbots.

Tickets go on sale at 08:00 20 days before the flight. Returned tickets appear on the website 1-2 days before departure.

By bus from Croatia to Ukraine

The best way to get from Croatia to Ukraine is by bus, the journey will take a little more than 24 hours, and the ticket will cost 100-150 euros.

Buses mostly depart from Zagreb and Dubrovnik and arrive in Lviv, Kyiv and other cities. Several flights per day are available.

Traveling by bus has its advantages, in particular, the tourist does not have to change several types of transport.

Where to buy bus tickets from Croatia to Ukraine?

When looking for tickets to travel to Ukraine, it is important to use convenient services that allow you to quickly compare prices and choose the best offers. One such resource is the Visit Ukraine portal, where you can find and buy tickets online in just a few minutes.

The portal allows you to compare prices for trains departing from various European cities to Ukraine and quickly book tickets. The booking process on the website is extremely simple. You simply select the route, carrier and date, and payment can be made directly through the website.

By own car from Croatia to Ukraine

The distance from the capital of Croatia - Zagreb to Kyiv is almost 1460 km, and the duration of the trip in your own car - 17 hours without stops. The journey to Lviv will be shorter by 6 hours or 550 kilometers. Such a trip, taking into account gasoline prices, can cost from 230 to 350 euros.

You need to go through Hungary.

Importantly! The longest queues are usually at the Tisa checkpoint. You can check the waiting time at checkpoints with Hungary for entry into Ukraine by following the link. More  details about the work of checkpoints in our material.

To avoid a long wait, prefer traveling at the beginning of the week. From Monday to Wednesday, passenger traffic is lower, and accordingly there are no long queues. Starting from Thursday evening until Sunday, the number of people willing to cross the border increases, which increases the load on checkpoints.

In addition, we draw your attention to the fact that, despite the fact that checkpoints are open 24 hours a day, there is a curfew on the territory of Ukraine due to the state of war.

Rules for entering Ukraine by car for foreigners

A foreigner is allowed to enter Ukraine in his own car, but he can use it only for his own needs. Foreign citizens can drive cars with foreign license plates in Ukraine for up to one year. Also, if you plan to stay in Ukraine for longer than two months, you need to contact the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for temporary car registration. After the expiration of the one-year period, the car with foreign license plates must leave Ukraine.

To enter Ukraine by car, you must have an insurance policy. To take care of the comprehensive protection of your car in war conditions, purchase a Mini CASCO policy - this is a voluntary car insurance that covers damages not only in the event of a road accident, but also in the case of passive risks of war.

Detailed rules for traveling in Ukraine by car with foreign registration in this article.

Entry rules for citizens of Croatia to Ukraine in 2024

Visa requirements

Visa is not required. Citizens of Croatia have the right to stay in Ukraine without a visa for up to 90 days, if the purpose of the trip is tourism, visiting relatives, treatment, etc.

If the duration of your stay exceeds 90 days or you plan to work or study in Ukraine, then before traveling you need to apply for a long-term visa (type "D") at the Ukrainian embassy or consulate in Croatia. It is better to start the procedure at least 3 months before the planned trip.

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List of documents for traveling to Ukraine from Croatia

Entry into Ukraine is based on a valid foreign passport, , which must have at least one blank page for the input stamp.

Also, to cross the Ukrainian border, you must provide:

1. Health insurance policy.

2. Confirmation of the purpose of the trip: a notarized invitation from citizens of Ukraine (relatives, acquaintances, friends), travel vouchers, confirmation of accommodation reservations, invitations from companies or organizations, tickets to seminars, exhibitions, fairs, documents about treatment in medical facilities, etc.

3. Confirmation of financial support (cash, bank statement, check from an ATM, etc.) - proof that you have sufficient funds for the entire period of your planned stay in Ukraine or transit to a third country ($45 per person for each day of your stay in Ukraine ).

Importantly! Foreigners who have been banned from entering Ukraine by an authorized state body will not be able to cross the border. Read about who can be refused entry to Ukraine in our article.

If you are planning to stay in Ukraine for a long time or are dealing with issues with documents, it is important to have someone who is familiar with Ukrainian law. Visit Ukraine's lawyers work with foreigners, helping them with residence permits, tax numbers, business registration and other issues related to their stay in Ukraine. Legal support means peace of mind and confidence in every step.

Is it safe to travel to Ukraine in 2025?

In 2025, Ukraine continues to live in a state of full-scale war. Despite this, life has not stopped — cafes, hotels, museums, excursions and cultural events are all still operating. However, the issue of safety while travelling remains a key concern.

The level of threat varies depending on the region. In the frontline areas in the east and south of the country, the situation is difficult, with periodic shelling and drone strikes. Meanwhile, in the central and western parts of the country, the situation is much more stable, although the threat of air attacks remains throughout Ukraine.

Recommendations for safe travel to Ukraine

To ensure a safe trip to Ukraine in 2025, follow these recommendations:

– Check official information. Read the travel advice for Ukraine issued by your country's foreign ministry. Follow the updates on the websites of the State Border Service of Ukraine and local authorities.

– Prepare your documents. Make sure your passport is valid and your visa (if required) is in order. Make copies of important documents (passport, insurance policy, visa) and save them in digital form.

– Arrange for medical insurance. Your policy should cover treatment in Ukraine, including possible emergencies, and it is advisable to have additional coverage for risks related to war.

– Keep an eye on air raid alerts. Install the Air Raid Alert mobile app (App Store | Google Play) and learn the rules of conduct during shelling. In the event of an alarm, immediately proceed to the nearest shelter.

– Do not photograph military objects. It is prohibited to photograph checkpoints, military equipment, Ukrainian Armed Forces positions and other strategic objects.

– Be prepared for checks. During wartime, law enforcement officers may check your documents. Always have them with you.

– Follow the guide's instructions, especially in areas near destroyed objects.

– Respect the memory of the dead — this is not just a tour, but a place where history lives.

How to get insurance covering military risks for travel to Ukraine?

War risk insurance is a medical insurance policy that provides foreign citizens with financial protection in the event of an accident resulting from military action. Given the current situation in the country, such insurance is a critical safety element for foreigners planning a trip or long-term stay in Ukraine.

The Visit Ukraine portal offers quick and convenient medical insurance with war risk coverage. You can purchase insurance online and receive an electronic policy by email immediately after payment.

To purchase a policy, follow these simple steps:

1. Click on the link.

2. Select the insurance package that suits your needs.

3. Select the insurance period (standard policies can be taken out for a period of 3 to 180 days, annual insurance Bronya+ Year of Protection – only for 365 days) and enter your date of birth. The service will automatically calculate the cost of insurance for one person for the selected period.

4. Fill in the form with the insured person's details (full name, email, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence). At this stage, you can add details of other insured persons if you plan to travel with someone else.

5. Read the terms and conditions of the contract and confirm the policy (you will need to enter a special code that will be sent to the email address you provided).

6. Pay for the policy using your preferred payment method.

You will receive your medical insurance policy at the email address you provided. You do not need to print it out — simply save the electronic insurance policy on your smartphone or other device, as it has the same legal force as a paper copy.

Useful links for those planning a trip to Ukraine

● You can buy tickets to Ukraine by plane, train or bus on the Visit Ukraine portal. See the schedule and book using the link.

● If the purpose of the trip is tourism, be sure to search for a tour in advance. The largest database of routes from proven tourist operators is collected at the link. 

● Book hotels here. 

● To feel more mobile while traveling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car. Detailed instructions at the link.

● Safety rules must be strictly followed when traveling through Ukraine under martial law. In addition, make sure you have military risk insurance. 

● In the conditions of martial law, certain rights of citizens may be limited, therefore, if you need the help of a lawyer while traveling in Ukraine, you can contact the specialists at the link.

● Stylish clothes and accessories in memory of Ukraine here.

● Contacts of the Embassy of Croatia in Ukraine:

- Address: 01901, Kyiv, str. Sichov shooters, 51/50

- Phone: (+38 044) 489-87-30

- Fax: (+38 044) 484-69-43

- E-mail: croemb.ukraine@mvep.hr.

- Working hours: Monday-Friday 09:00-13:00, 13:30-17:00.

Are you planning a trip to Ukraine?

In today's realities, it is important to take care not only of comfort but also of safety. Medical insurance covering military risks is a necessary protection during your trip. The policy is valid even in case of emergencies related to military events, provides access to medical care and covers treatment costs.

Take out insurance and travel with confidence!

Just a reminder. To plan a trip to Ukraine, a foreigner needs to resolve a large number of issues related to entry and stay in the country. Read here about the rules of entry to Ukraine in 2025, as well as what is important to consider before planning a trip.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance – health insurance with coverage of war risks;

Visit Ukraine Mini Hull Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Osago – compulsory motor third party liability insurance for cars with Ukrainian registration;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours – the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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