How to get to Ukraine from Europe: the most convenient routes, checkpoints, transport and entry rules

Despite the ongoing war, there are no restrictions on entry into Ukraine for foreigners in 2025, but travel may be complicated due to closed airspace. Read more about the most convenient routes from Europe to Ukraine and current border crossing rules in this article

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

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In 2025, Ukrainian borders are open to foreign visitors, and tourists continue to visit Ukraine even despite the ongoing war. Most often, foreigners come to Ukraine for personal visits, on trips and as part of volunteer missions.

However, in conditions of closed airspace, traveling to Ukraine has its own characteristics. Also, during the journey, it is necessary to follow certain safety rules.

How to get to Ukraine from Europe? What border crossing rules are relevant? Useful information for those planning a trip to Ukraine is collected in our material.

Detailed information that will be useful when planning a trip to Ukraine can be found here:

– Travel to Ukraine for tourism purposes.

– Employment in Ukraine.

– Immigration to Ukraine.

– Studying in Ukraine.

– Travelling to Ukraine by car.

– Popular destinations in Ukraine.

– Support for Ukraine.

Step 1 – Flight to the Ukrainian border

Residents of European countries that do not border Ukraine can fly by plane to one of the countries that share a border with Ukraine - Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania or Moldova - for the most comfortable trip.

The average duration of such a flight from any European city is 2 hours. The closest airports to the Ukrainian border are:

- Poland – Rzeszow-Jaszno International Airport, Rzeszow (Rzeszow), Lublin Airport.

- Moldova – Chisinau International Airport.

- Romania – Suceava Stefan the Great Airport, Cluj-Napoca Avram Iancu International Airport and Iasi International Airport.

- Hungary – Debrecen Airport.

- Slovakia – Košice International Airport.

Read more about the European airports closest to the Ukrainian border in this article.

Step 2 – Travel from the intermediate hub to Ukraine by land transport

After arriving at the intermediate point, you can continue your journey to Ukraine by land transport - by train, bus or car. We will tell you in detail about each of these methods below.

Route from Poland to Ukraine

Ukraine and Poland have a common border and a correspondingly developed transport connection.

- By car

The following border crossing points operate on the Polish-Ukrainian border:

- Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne,

- Shegyni – Medyka,

- Kraków – Korczów,

- Smilnytsia – Kroscenko,

- Hrushiv – Bodomierz,

- Uhryniv – Dolgobychów,

- Nyzhankovychi – Malkhovychi,

- Yagodyn – Dorohusk,

- Ustyluh – Zosin.

The smallest queues are usually at the crossing points: Dorohusk, Krotsenko, Budomierz.

You can check the waiting time at the checkpoints with Poland for entry into Ukraine by clicking on the link.

- By bus

The bus transportation market is represented by a large number of companies. Routes depart from many Polish cities and go to most Ukrainian regions.

Examples of direct bus routes from Poland to Ukraine:

- Warsaw – Kyiv, route: Warsaw – Lublin – Lutsk – Rivne – Zhytomyr – Kyiv.

- Warsaw – Lviv – Ternopil – Khmelnytskyi – Vinnytsia – Uman – Odessa.

- Warsaw – Lublin – Lviv.

- Katowice – Kyiv, route: Katowice – Krakow – Lviv – Ternopil – Khmelnytskyi – Vinnytsia – Uman – Kyiv.

- Szczecin – Kyiv, route: Szczecin – Poznan – Lodz – Warsaw – Lublin – Lutsk – Rivne – Zhytomyr – Kyiv.

- Szczecin – Kyiv, via Poznan – Lodz – Warsaw – Lublin – Lutsk – Rivne – Zhytomyr.

- Wroclaw – Opole – Katowice – Krakow – Lviv – Ternopil – Khmelnytskyi – Vinnytsia – Uman – Kyiv.

- By train

➤ Train №67/68 Kyiv - Warsaw - Kyiv runs daily: departs from Kyiv at 19:57 and arrives in Warsaw at 10:17. The train departs from Warsaw at 17:51 and arrives in Kyiv at 11:40.

➤ Train №19/20 Kyiv - Chełm - Kyiv runs daily: departure from Kyiv at 19:57, arrival at 05:42. Departs from Chełm at 23:00 and arrives in Kyiv at 11:40.

➤ Train №23/24 Kyiv - Chełm - Kyiv runs daily: departure from Kyiv at 23:11, arrival at 11:15. Departs from Chełm at 15:55 and arrives in Kyiv at 05:13.

➤ Train №93/94 Kharkiv - Chełm - Kharkiv runs on even and odd numbers: departure from Kharkiv at 13:15, arrival at 11:15. Departure from Chełm is at 15:55, arrival in Kharkiv is at 13:28.

➤ Train 119/120 Dnipro - Chełm - Dnipro runs daily: departure from Dnipro at 21:48, arrival at 16:33. Departure from Chełm is at 10:37, arrival in Dnipro is at 07:28.

➤ Train №51/52 Kyiv - Przemyśl - Kyiv runs daily: departure from Kyiv at 19:11, arrival at 05:50. Departure from Przemyśl at 20:32, arrival in Kyiv at 07:34.

➤ Train №89/90 Kyiv - Przemyśl - Kyiv - runs on even and odd numbers: departure from Kyiv at 22:14, arrival at 11:13. Departure from Przemyśl is at 13:49, arrival in Kyiv is at 05:06.

➤ Train №715/716 Intercity Kyiv - Przemyśl - Kyiv runs daily: departure from Kyiv at 11:28, arrival at 20:20. Departure from Przemyśl is at 23:26, arrival in Kyiv is at 09:57.

➤ Train №705/706 Intercity Kyiv - Przemyśl - Kyiv runs daily: departure from Kyiv at 19:19, arrival at 04:25. Departure from Przemyśl is at 09:35, arrival in Kyiv is at 20:02.

➤ Train №73/74 Kharkiv - Przemyśl - Kharkiv - runs on even and odd numbers: departure from Kharkiv at 13:15, arrival at 11:13. Departure from Przemyśl is at 13:49, arrival in Kharkiv is at 13:28.

➤ Train №32/33 Zaporizhzhia - Przemyśl - Zaporizhzhia runs daily: departure from Zaporizhzhia at 20:47, arrival at 15:18. Departure from Przemyśl is at 18:11, arrival in Zaporizhzhia is at 15:05.

➤ Train №36/37 Odesa - Przemyśl - Odesa runs daily: departure from Odesa at 14:38, arrival at 05:50. Departure from Przemyśl is at 20:32, arrival in Odesa is at 13:13.

How to travel with pets by train in 2025 — find out by following the link.

Detailed route from Poland to Ukraine here.

Travel from Moldova to Ukraine

The distance to the Ukrainian border from Chisinau airport is 130 km - the Palanka checkpoint (Odesa region). The nearest large Ukrainian city is Odesa.

A flight to Chisinau airport is worth choosing for tourists planning a trip to the southern regions of Ukraine, as this route will be the most convenient.

- By car

You can cross the Ukrainian-Moldovan border by car through many checkpoints, including:

- Mamalyga – Kryva,

- Mohyliv-Podilskyi – Otach,

- Vynohradivka – Vulcanesti,

- Tabaki – Myrne,

- Palanka – Mayaki – Udobne,

- Reni – Giurgiuleşti.

You can check the waiting time at checkpoints with Moldova for entry into Ukraine at the link.

- Buses

There are many bus routes from Moldova to Ukraine. They depart from the following cities: Chisinau, Orhei (Orhei), Edinet, Balti and arrive in Odessa, Kyiv, Lviv and Kharkiv.

You can get to Odessa in 3 hours and 30 minutes. The longest journey to Kharkiv is about 18 hours.

- Train

Ukraine and Moldova have a railway connection. Currently, there is 1 flight between the states:

➤ Train №351/352 Kyiv - Chisinau - Kyiv runs on even and odd numbers: departure from Kyiv at 17:05, arrival at 11:30. Departure from Chisinau is at 17:34, arrival in Kyiv is at 12:05.

Find all possible routes to get from Moldova to Ukraine here.

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Route from Hungary to Ukraine

- Car

The distance from Budapest to Kyiv will be 1150 km. The estimated travel time is 14 hours. Such a trip, taking into account gasoline prices, can cost from 200 to 290 euros.

The following border crossings operate on the Hungarian-Ukrainian border: 

- Dzvinkove – Lonja,

- Kosino – Barabash,

- Vylok – Tisabech,

- Chop (Tisa) – Záhony,

- Luzhanka – Beregshurany,

- Velyka Palad – Nadehodozh.

The longest queues are usually at the Tisza crossing point.

You can check the waiting time at the crossing points with Hungary for entry into Ukraine at the link.

- Bus

There are many direct bus routes from Budapest to Ukraine, including Kyiv, Lviv, Uzhhorod, Ivano-Frankivsk, Mukachevo, Stryi, Delyatyn and other cities in Ukraine.

Both day and night departures are available. You can also get there with a transfer.

- Train

➤ The train №749/149 Kyiv - Vienna runs via Budapest, so you can get to the capital of Hungary. Departure from Kyiv is at 12:06, arrival in Budapest is at 08:20. Departure from Budapest at 19:02, arrival in Kyiv at 16:50.

➤ Train №40 Mukachevo - Budapest - departure from Mukachevo at 04:11, arrival in Budapest at 14:53.

➤ Train №368 Mukachevo - Budapest - runs daily: departure from Mukachevo at 05:14, arrival in Budapest at 14:53.

➤ Train №146 Chop - Záhony - Chop - runs daily: departure from Chop at 08:23.

➤ Train №9/10 Kyiv - Budapest - Kyiv will run from 15 December 2024: departure from Kyiv at 10:16, arrival in Budapest at 06:00. Departure from Budapest at 22:40, arrival in Kyiv at 19:11.

Several trains also run in the opposite direction from Hungary to Ukraine:

➤ №143, route Budapest - Mukachevo: departure at 13:04, arrival at 00:24;

➤ №143, route Debrecen-Mukachevo: departure at 16:34, arrival at 00:24;

➤ №143, Záhony-Chop: departure at 19:40, arrival at 00:24.

A detailed route from Hungary to Ukraine is also available on our website.

Route from Slovakia to Ukraine

- Car

The distance between Bratislava and Kyiv is about 1300 km, which, on average, can be covered in 14 hours. Such a trip, taking into account gasoline prices, can cost from 170 to 250 euros.

There are two vehicle checkpoints on the Slovak-Ukrainian border:

- Ublya – Maly Berezny: checkpoint for vehicles and pedestrians;

- Vyshne Nimetske – Uzhhorod: checkpoint for vehicles;

The longest queues are usually at the Uzhhorod checkpoint.

You can check the status of queues at checkpoints between Slovakia and Ukraine online at the link.

- Bus

From Slovakia, buses to Ukraine depart from Košice, Prešov, Poprad, Žilina, Trnava and go to most Ukrainian regions (Kyiv, Lviv, Poltava, Rivne, Zakarpattia, Kharkiv).

- Train

➤ Train №967/960 Mukachevo - Kosice - Mukachevo runs daily: departure from Mukachevo at 14:45, arrival at 18:17. Departure from Kosice is at 08:46, arrival in Mukachevo is at 14:04.

➤ Train №963/962 Mukachevo - Kosice - Mukachevo runs daily: departure from Mukachevo at 18:16, arrival at 21:33. Departure from Kosice is at 11:46, arrival in Mukachevo is at 16:53.

We have also already told you in more detail how to get to Ukraine from Slovakia.

Route from Romania to Ukraine

- Car

Many foreigners prefer to travel by their own car.

The following border crossing points operate on the Romanian-Ukrainian border:

- Diacove – Halmeu,

- Solotvino – Sighetu Marmației,

- Krasnoilsk – Vicovu de Sus,

- Porubne – Siret, Diacovci – Rakovec.

All checkpoints operate around the clock. The longest queues are usually at the Diacove checkpoint.

You can check the waiting time at checkpoints with Romania for entry into Ukraine at the link.

- Bus

Chernivtsi has a fairly close bus connection with the border Romanian cities. The most popular are flights from Suceava. Several minibuses and buses run between the cities per day. Ticket prices start from 400 hryvnias.

Travel time is only 3 hours, because the distance between the cities is 80 km. In fact, travelers spend most of their time at the border.

From Suceava you can easily get to Chernivtsi, a bus runs daily from the bus station, the journey to Chernivtsi takes 2-3 hours.

Comfortable buses from Bucharest, Iasi, Suceava and many other Romanian cities arrive in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk and Uzhgorod.

A detailed route from Romania to Ukraine is here.

What is the best mode of transport to enter Ukraine?

1. Train

Traveling by rail has certain advantages:

- The fastest way to cross the border - passing through customs takes about 2-2.5 hours.

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

Also, in addition to border countries, Austria and the Czech Republic have rail connections with Ukraine:

➤ Train №749/149 Kyiv - Vienna - Kyiv runs daily: departure from Kyiv at 12:06, arrival at 11:20. Departure from Vienna is at 16:42, arrival in Kyiv is at 16:50.

➤ Train №146/143 Chop - Vienna - Chop runs daily: departure from Chop at 08:23, arrival at 17:20. Departure from Vienna at 10:42, arrival in Chop at 20:59.

➤ Train №715 Kyiv - Prague - Kyiv - runs with a change of train in Przemysl, Poland. Departure from Kyiv at 11:28, arrival at 20:20 - change of train - departure of train RJ 1000 from Przemysl at 22:13, arrival in Prague at 06:37. On the way back, departure from Prague at 21:56, arrival in Kyiv at 20:02 (you can buy a single ticket or two separate tickets).

➤ The train of the Czech carrier Regiojet Chop - Prague - Chop runs daily: departure from Chop at 17:35, arrival at 05:46.

How to book connecting tickets without stress when travelling to Europe — find out by following the link.

2. Bus

Traveling by bus has its advantages, in particular, the tourist does not have to change several modes of transport. In addition, flights depart not only from border countries, but also from most European cities.

Carriers offer comfortable passenger buses with a capacity of up to 90 seats. The bus cabin is equipped with soft seats, a toilet and an automatic climate control system, a large luggage compartment, Wi-Fi, which allows you to travel comfortably.

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 deals. One of these resources 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 and buses travelling from different European cities to Ukraine and book tickets quickly. The booking process is extremely simple. You simply select the route, carrier and date, and payment can be made directly through the website.

Read also: What can be imported and exported from Ukraine: customs rules for crossing the border.

3. Car

Traveling by car certainly gives maximum freedom, because you are not limited by any schedule, and you can also take the maximum number of things with you.

The only obstacle is the border. To avoid long waits at the crossing point, give preference to travel 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 and until Sunday, the number of people wishing to cross the border is increasing, which increases the load on the checkpoints.

In addition, we draw your attention to the fact that despite the fact that the checkpoints are open 24 hours a day, a curfew is in effect on the territory of Ukraine due to martial law.

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.

In general, if you have a choice, choose train travel, as it has a number of significant advantages, including the ability to reach your destination without queues and transfers, which provides the opportunity to travel in more comfortable conditions without stress.

Entry rules for citizens of Europe to Ukraine in 2025

Visa Requirements

Visa is not required. Citizens of Europe 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 Europe. It is better to start the procedure at least 3 months before the planned trip.

List of Documents for Traveling to Ukraine from Europe

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.

Take out an insurance policy covering military risks and travel around Ukraine confidently and safely!

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.

● 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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