Ukraine and Romania will once again be connected by a direct train service: what is known about the resumption of the Kyiv–Bucharest train?

Ukraine and Romania will once again be connected by a direct train service. Find out when and how the Kyiv–Chisinau–Bucharest train will run and how to conveniently plan your trip between the countries

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From August 7 to 8, 2025, rail service will resume between Kyiv and Bucharest. According to Moldova Liberă, the train will depart in test mode and will later begin operating on a regular basis. This is the first train to run since the start of the full-scale war, connecting Ukraine and Romania directly.

How will the Kyiv – Chisinau – Bucharest train run?

Tickets will not be available for the first trip, scheduled for the night of August 7 to 8, 2025, as this is a test run to check the logistics and technical readiness of the route. The train will consist of two Ukrainian carriages, which will be attached to the Chisinau-Bucharest train in Chisinau. The train will depart in the opposite direction the following night.

According to journalists, there are plans to expand the route in the future: it is expected that the train will be extended to four carriages, which will provide more seats for passengers.

Read also: How to get to Ukraine from Romania in 2025 – convenient routes, visa rules, and useful tips

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A convenient alternative for traveling to Romania

This route may be a convenient option for Ukrainians looking for alternative ways to travel abroad. This is especially relevant for those traveling not only to Bucharest but also further to EU countries. From Chisinau and Bucharest, it is convenient to transfer to flights or ground transportation to countries in Central and Western Europe.

To plan your trip, we recommend using the Visit Ukraine service, a platform where you can book tickets for all types of transport in one click: buses, planes, and trains. Convenient transfers from Budapest, Chisinau, and other European cities to cities in Ukraine and back are also available here.

What do you need to know before traveling?

Although the first flight does not involve ticket sales, regular service may be launched in the near future. Therefore, it is worth following the official announcements of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Before traveling, make sure you have all the necessary documents to enter Romania: a valid passport, as well as confirmation of the purpose of your trip and proof of financial means. Also, don't forget to take out travel insurance, which may be checked by border guards when entering EU countries. The easiest way to do this is through the Visit Ukraine platform, which offers insurance policies for travel around the world.

For foreigners traveling to Ukraine, the platform offers medical insurance covering war risks, which is a prerequisite for safe entry.

We remind you! From August 25 to September 20, 2025, the schedule and routes of trains to Budapest will change. Read about which stations will be the final stops, which stops to pay attention to, and how to conveniently plan your trip despite the repairs at the link.

Photo: Ukrzaliznytsia

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