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

The lack of air travel reduces the number of options for getting to Ukraine. At the same time, the country's land borders are open, so we have prepared convenient routes and useful tips for foreigners entering from Romania in 2025

Apply for an insurance policy covering military risks for entry and stay in Ukraine

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Even despite the martial law, Ukraine's borders are open, including for foreigners.

Ukraine and Romania share a common border, so the trip will not be too difficult. However, given the closed airspace, it is worth planning your route in advance. Especially since the railway connection between the countries is not as well developed as with other neighboring states of Ukraine. Also, to quickly cross the border, you need to have a full package of documents.

What travel routes from Romania to Ukraine will be the most convenient and what entry rules are relevant in 2025? We will tell you further.

How to get to Ukraine from Romania in 2025?

You can enter Ukraine from Romania exclusively by land transport - by train, bus or your own car. Each of the methods has its advantages and disadvantages.

Traveling to Ukraine by train

Despite the rather warm neighborly relations between Ukraine and Romania, there is still no direct rail connection between the countries, so the only available option for traveling by train involves a transfer in Moldova:

Stage 1 - Get from Romania to Moldova by train

- Flight 106, Bucharest - Chisinau, departure from Bucharest at 19:12, arrival in Chisinau at 08:24;

or

- Flight 824, Iasi-Socola - Ungheni, departure time 17:40, arrival in Moldova - 18:56.

Ticket price - 40-45 euros.

Stage 2 – By train from Moldova to Ukraine

- 351, Chisinau – Ungheni – Kyiv, departure from Chisinau at 17:05, arrival in Kyiv at 12:15, stop at the intermediate station – Ungheni at 19:58.

The train journey will take about 18 hours. Ticket prices range from 50 to 80 euros.

Important! The train does not run every day: on even numbers (from Chisinau to Kyiv), on odd numbers (from Kyiv to Chisinau).

Where to buy train tickets from Moldova to Ukraine?

Tickets for the Chisinau-Kyiv flight 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. Tickets that have been returned appear on the website 1-2 days before departure.

Travel to Ukraine by bus

- From Suceava to Chernivtsi, Kyiv and Kharkiv

Chernivtsi has a fairly close bus connection with the border Romanian cities. The most popular are flights from Suceava. Several buses run between the cities per day. Ticket prices start at 20 hryvnias.

Travel time is only 2 hours 20 minutes, as the distance between the cities is 80 km. In fact, travelers spend most of their time at the border.

You can get from Chernivtsi to Kyiv by train. Departure time is 19:12, arrival in Kyiv is 07:10.

There is also a direct train from Chernivtsi to Kharkiv. Departure time is 13:06, arrival in Kharkiv is 09:28.

- From other cities in Romania throughout Ukraine

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

The journey from Bucharest to Kyiv takes about 21 hours. Flights from Bucharest depart from:

- Bus Station "Filaret", Strada Doctor Constantin Istrati 1;

- Railway Station (main entrance), 140 Kalea Griviti Street;

- Bus Station "Bosfor Turizm", 54 Viilor Road.

Ticket price from 75 euros.

You can also get from Bucharest to Odessa quite quickly and economically. Travel time is 12-14 hours. There are many flights, both day and night. Ticket price from 50 euros.

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 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.

By own car from the Romania to Ukraine

Many foreigners prefer to travel by their own car.

The following border crossings operate on the Romanian-Ukrainian border: Dyakove - Halmeu, Solotvino - Sighetu Marmaciei, Krasnoilsk - Vikovu de Sus, Porubne - Siret, Dyakivtsi - Rakovec.

Importantly! All checkpoints are open 24 hours a day. The longest queues are usually at the Dyakove checkpoint. You can check the waiting time at checkpoints with Romania to enter Ukraine by following the link. More details about the work of checkpoints on the Ukrainian border in our material.

Useful tips for those who travel by their own car

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 a insurance policy.

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

Rules of entry for Romania citizens to Ukraine 2025

Do Romania citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine?

A visa is not required. Romania citizens 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 issue a long-term visa (type "D"). To do this, contact the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in the Romania at least 3 months before the planned trip.

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List of documents for travel to Ukraine from the Romania

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

4. Absence of a ban from the authorized body on entry into Ukraine.

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

● 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. Depending on your interests, you can also plan an individual trip.

● Book hotels here. Rules for renting an apartment in Ukraine for foreigners in this article.

● To feel more mobile while traveling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car.

● 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.

● How to come to Ukraine as a volunteer, read here.

● Contacts of the Embassy of Romania in Ukraine:

- Address: 01030, Kyiv, str. Mykhailo Kotsyubinsky, 8

- Phone: +38 044 234-52-61

- Fax: +38 044 235-20-25

- E-mail: romania@adamant.net

● 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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