3,000 km from Ukrzaliznytsia: can you travel abroad and how to take advantage of free travel

Ukrzaliznytsia's new programme offering 3,000 free kilometres has caused a real stir among travellers — some hope to save money on trips around the country, while others are trying to figure out whether these kilometres can be used for travel abroad. Find out who is eligible for 3,000 km and which trains are covered by the programme

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In December 2025, Ukraine launched the first stage of a large-scale programme of free rail travel. Each user of Diia receives 3,000 bonus kilometres, which can be used for travel. People were immediately interested in the main question: can these kilometres be used to travel abroad? And how do you actually get a free ticket?

Can the 3,000 km be used for trips abroad?

No. The programme only covers domestic travel within Ukraine.

The kilometres cannot be monetised, transferred or accumulated for international flights — they are valid exclusively for travel within the country.

Important: the programme only covers the cost of travel. Bedding, tea, luggage, animal transport and other additional services are paid for separately.

Which trains can I get free tickets for?

In the first stage, 18 routes are included in the programme, among them:

▪️ No. 101/102 Mykolaiv – Barvinkove (Kramatorsk)

▪️ No. 103/104 (Kramatorsk) Barvinkove – Lviv

▪️ No. 109/110 Lviv – Mykolaiv

▪️ No. 115/116 Sumy – Kyiv

▪️ No. 127/128 Lviv – Zaporizhzhia

▪️ No. 141/142 Ivano-Frankivsk – Chernihiv

▪️ No. 45/44 Kharkiv – Uzhhorod

▪️ No. 53/54 Dnipro – Odesa

▪️ No. 61/62 Dnipro – Ivano-Frankivsk

Seats in children's compartments are also available on the following routes:

▪️ No. 15/16 Kharkiv – Yasinya

▪️ No. 17/18 Kharkiv – Uzhhorod

▪️ No. 41/42 Dnipro – Truskavets

And seats in 2nd class Intercity+ on the following routes:

▪️ No. 719/720 Kharkiv – Kyiv

▪️ No. 723/722 Kharkiv – Kyiv

▪️ No. 731/732 Zaporizhzhia – Kyiv

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Who is eligible for 3000 km?

Adults

A free ticket can only be issued for yourself.

It cannot be issued for friends or adult relatives (this feature is currently under development).

Children aged 5 and older

Each child also receives their own 3,000 km.

To do this, you need to add the child to your account in Diia by uploading their birth certificate.

Available classes

▪️ Open carriage

▪️ Compartment

▪️ Regional trains

▪️ Intercity+ (2nd class)

When should you use your kilometres?

You do not have to use your 3,000 km in December 2025.

Ukrzaliznytsia will open the most seats during the low season — January, February, October, and November.

If the kilometres are not used, they can be converted into bonus ‘hugs’ in the ‘Iron Friends’ loyalty programme.

The feature will appear in the UZ app in 2026.

How to get a free ticket from UZ?

UZ passengers can use the programme from 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 3 December. To do this, you need to:

▪️ either install the Ukrzaliznytsia app;

▪️ or update it to the latest version;

▪️ purchase tickets for kilometres in it.

The Ukrzaliznytsia press service explained that it will be possible to get up to four trips with a total length of 3,000 km.

At the same time, it will be possible to start travelling from Friday, 5 December.

‘All bonus kilometres do not have to be used at once, as they will be available until the end of 2026,’ the company added.

Meanwhile, during a conversation with journalists, Pertsovskyi explained that for now, tickets can only be purchased from or to frontline territories (the first or last station — one component of the trip — must be in the territory of frontline communities).

How to get free train tickets?

In order to get a train ticket ‘by kilometres’, the user's account in the UZ app must be verified using ‘Dія.Підпис’.

After verification, you need to:

1. find the ‘3000’ mark;

2. click “Participate” and receive 3000 km, which can be used for four trips;

3. select the desired train marked ‘3000’.

‘The kilometres will be used when booking — they will be automatically deducted from the bonus account,’ explained the press service of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Book your tickets now and travel without unnecessary delays!

Reminder! The winter support programme is once again helping Ukrainians cope with seasonal expenses: the state credits 1,000 hryvnias to a special account, and these funds can only be spent in certain categories. In 2025–2026, the rules have become stricter, so it is important to understand which purchases are actually allowed. Find out what exactly you can spend your winter thousand on.

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

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