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

Under martial law, Ukrainian borders are open to foreign visitors, and there are no restrictions on entering the country. However, you can only get to Ukraine by land transport, because Ukraine's airspace is closed. Considering the complexity of the route, it is worth planning the trip in advance. Find out how to get to Ukraine from Kazakhstan and what rules for crossing the border are relevant this year

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

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Ukrainian borders are open to foreign visitors. Tourists continue to come to Ukraine even in spite of hostilities. According to official sources, more than 2.54 million foreigners entered the country in 2024 alone, including citizens of Kazakhstan. 

Most often, foreigners go to Ukraine on personal visits, on trips and as part of volunteer missions. However, in closed airspace, traveling to the state has its own characteristics. It is also necessary to observe certain safety rules during the trip.

How to get to Ukraine from Kazakhstan? What rules for entering Ukraine are relevant in 2025? Useful information for those planning a trip in the coming months is collected in our material.

How to get to Ukraine from Kazakhstan in 2025?

Flight from Kazakhstan 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 flights from Kazakhstan to these countries.

Kazakhstan – Poland

- You can get to Warsaw by direct flight from Astana. Ticket price starts from 600 euros. The flight operates four times a week – on Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Travel time is about 7 hours and 30 minutes. Departure from Astana at 09:45, arrival in Warsaw at 13:55. Flights are operated by the airline “Lot”.

- Krakow is one of the closest Polish airports to the Ukrainian border, where flights from Kazakhstan are operated exclusively with a transfer. The duration of such a trip is from 10 hours.

The detailed route from Poland to Ukraine is here.

Kazakhstan – Moldova

There are flights to Chisinau airport from Almaty, Astana and Shymkent, but only with transfers. Ticket price from 330 euros. Travel time is about 11 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.

Kazakhstan – Slovakia

You can fly from Kazakhstan to the Slovak airport Košice, which is closest to the Ukrainian border, with only a few transfers. Flights from Astana and Almaty are available. The duration of such a trip is from 10 to 25 hours. Ticket price from 350 euros.

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

Kazakhstan – Hungary

There are flights to Budapest from Almaty, Turkestan and Astana. Travel time is about 11 hours, ticket price from 200 euros. The number of transfers is 1 or 2, most often in Istanbul or Abu Dhabi.

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

Kazakhstan – Romania

There are flights from Kazakhstan to Bucharest from Astana, Almaty, Shymkent, Uralsk, but only with a transfer.

However, it is best to fly to Suceava, because from Suceava you can easily get to Chernivtsi, 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.

Travel to Ukraine by train from the EU

At the second stage, it is necessary to continue your trip from the European city to Ukraine by ground transport.

Most of the tourists prefer the railway because of its speed and comfort. Ukraine is connected to European cities by the following trains:

- Poland - from Warsaw you can get to Kyiv, from Przemyśl - to Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, from Chelm - to Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv.

- Hungary – from Budapest there is a direct train to Kyiv, as well as to Mukachevo. From Debrecen you can also get to Mukachevo. Another additional route is from the Hungarian city of Záhony to the Ukrainian Chop.

- Austria – from Vienna there is a direct train to Kyiv and Chop.

- Czech Republic – the train of the Czech carrier Regiojet “Prague - Chop” runs daily.

- Moldova - a direct train goes from Chisinau to Kyiv.

- Slovakia - from Kosice you can reach Mukachevo.

Find a detailed schedule of trains running between Ukraine and European countries by following the link.

Entry rules for citizens of Kazakhstan to Ukraine in 2025

Visa requirements

Visa is not required. Citizens of Kazakhstan 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 Kazakhstan. 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 Kazakhstan

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 full-scale war. Despite this, life has not stopped - cafes, hotels, museums, excursions and cultural events are still open. However, the issue of travel safety remains a key one.

The level of threat depends 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. 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 safe travel to Ukraine in 2025, please follow these recommendations:

- Check official information. Read the recommendations of your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on travelling to Ukraine. Follow the messages on the websites of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and local authorities.

- Prepare your documents. Make sure that your passport is valid and that your visa (if required) is properly issued. Make copies of important documents (passport, insurance policy, visa) and save them digitally.

- Take care of your health insurance. Your policy should cover treatment in Ukraine, including possible emergencies, and it is advisable to have additional coverage for war-related risks.

- Keep an eye on air alerts. Install the Air Alert mobile application (App Store | Google Play) and learn the rules of behaviour during shelling. In case of an alarm, immediately go to the nearest shelter.

- Do not take pictures of military objects. Photographing checkpoints, military equipment, positions of the Armed Forces and other strategic objects is prohibited.

- Be prepared for inspections. 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 on.

How to take out insurance with war risk coverage for travelling to Ukraine?

War risk insurance is a health insurance policy that provides foreign nationals with financial protection in the event of an accident due to military operations. Given the current situation in the country, such insurance is a critical element of security for foreigners planning a trip or a long stay in Ukraine.

Visit Ukraine portal offers fast and convenient registration of medical insurance with coverage of military risks. Here you can buy insurance online and receive an electronic policy by email immediately after payment.

You need to follow a few simple steps to get a policy:

1. Follow the link.

2. Choose an insurance package (that meets your needs).

3. Select the insurance period (standard policies can be issued for a period of 3 to 180 days, annual insurance Armour+ Year of Protection - only for 365 days) and enter your date of birth. The service will automatically calculate the cost of insurance for 1 person for the selected period.

4. Fill in the form with the insured person's details (full name, e-mail, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence). At this stage, you can add information about 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 specified e-mail).

6. Pay for the policy in a way convenient for you.

You will receive a ready-made health insurance policy to the specified e-mail. You do not need to print it out - you can simply save the electronic insurance on your smartphone or other gadget - it has the same legal force as paper insurance.

Useful links for those planning a trip to Ukraine

● Booking a tour – if the purpose of the trip is tourism, be sure to search for a tour in advance. The largest database of routes from proven travel operators is collected on our portal. Depending on your interests, you can also plan an individual trip.

● Housing search – book hotels here. Rules for renting an apartment in Ukraine for foreigners in this article.

● Rent a car – to feel more mobile while traveling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car.

● Safety and insurance rules – safety rules must be strictly followed when traveling through Ukraine under martial law. In addition, make sure you have military risk insurance. About the benefits of the policy here.

● Legal support – 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 specialists on our website.

● Embassy of Kazakhstan in Ukraine

- Address: str. 26 Ilyenka St., 01901, Kyiv, Ukraine

- Phone: +380 44 483-15-96 (reception)

- Fax: +380 44 483-11-98

- El. mail: kiev@mfa.kz.

● Souvenirs – stylish clothes and accessories in memory of Ukraine here.

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.

We wish you a good 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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