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05 cze. 2025

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Travel to Ukraine from France in 2025: how to get there and entry rules

For foreigners in UA
Tourists in Ukraine
Travel
France
Travel to Ukraine from France in 2025: how to get there and entry rules

Planning a trip from France to Ukraine in 2025? Due to the war in Ukraine, direct flights between the countries are currently unavailable, but there are many convenient options to get there via neighboring countries. In this guide, you will find up-to-date routes, travel tips, visa requirements, security regulations and online ticket booking services

Take out an insurance policy with military risk coverage to enter and stay in Ukraine
Take out an insurance policy with military risk coverage to enter and stay in Ukraine
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Despite the imposed martial law, foreigners continue to come to Ukraine on personal visits, on trips and as part of volunteer missions. 

However, such a journey has its own peculiarities, in particular, the airspace is closed in Ukraine, and certain safety rules must also be observed.

How to get to Ukraine from France? What rules for entering Ukraine are relevant in 2025? Useful information for those planning a trip this year is collected in our material.




How to get to Ukraine from France in 2025?


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 train or bus.


Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.


Air flight from France to the Ukrainian border


● France – Poland


- You can get to Warsaw by direct flight from Paris, Nice, Lyon and Strasbourg. Ticket price from 70 to 150 euros. Travel time – about 2 hours 15 minutes.

- Krakow is the closest Polish airport to the Ukrainian border, with direct flights from most major cities in France. Departures are available from Marseille, Toulouse, Paris, Nice and Lyon. Ticket price from 70 euros. Travel time is about 2 hours. In total, more than 20 airlines fly here, including popular low-cost carriers Wizz Air and Ryanair.

- There are no direct flights to Rzeszow (Rzeszów), you can only get here with a transfer in Warsaw. Available departure cities are Lyon, Paris, Nice, Strasbourg, etc. Ticket price from 180 euros. Travel time is about 4 hours. Rzeszów Airport is the closest Polish airport to the Ukrainian border, located 172 km from Lviv (Ukraine).

You can also fly directly from France to Katowice and Lublin.


A detailed route from Poland to Ukraine can be found in this article.


● France – Moldova


There are direct flights to Chisinau airport from France from Paris, Nice and Leon. Travel time from 2 hours 30 minutes. Ticket price from 120 euros.

The distance to the Ukrainian border from Chisinau is 130 km – the 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.


● France – Slovakia


There are no direct flights to Slovak cities from France. You can fly to Kosice, Bratislava or Poprad only with a transfer. Such a trip will last about 5 hours and will cost from 60 euros.


● France – Hungary


You can only fly to Debrecen, the Hungarian airport closest to the Ukrainian border, with a transfer, and flights from Nice, Marseille or Paris are available. Ticket prices start at 120 euros. Travel time starts at 4 hours.

There are direct flights to Budapest from Marseille, Paris, Nice, Toulouse and Lyon. Travel time is 2 hours 10 minutes, and ticket prices start at 60 euros.


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


● France – Romania


Direct flights to Bucharest are available from Marseille, Paris, Lyon, Nice and Strasbourg. Ticket prices start at 70 euros. Travel time is about 2 hours.


Travel to Ukraine by train


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.


Travel to Ukraine by bus


The bus transportation market is represented by a large number of companies.

Buses depart from French cities: Paris, Metz, Nancy, Reims, Strasbourg, etc. and arrive in Kyiv, Zhytomyr, Vinnytsia, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Odessa, Chernihiv, Lviv, etc.

Ticket prices start from 3000 hryvnias (70 euros).

Journey time is about 30 hours.

When choosing a carrier, be sure to carefully study the conditions of baggage transportation, the available services offered by the carrier (toilet, phone charging facilities, WiFi, free drinks, etc.). Be sure to read the reviews of passengers, and even better - ask friends who have already used the services of the carriers.


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.




Rules of entry for France citizens to Ukraine 2025


Do France citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine?


A visa is not required. France 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 France at least 3 months before the planned trip.




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List of documents for travel to Ukraine from the France


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.





● You can buy tickets to Ukraine by plane, train or bus on the Visit Ukraine portalSee 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 hereRules 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 France in Ukraine:

- Address: 01901, Kyiv, str. Reitarska, 39

- Telephone: +38 044 590-36-00

- Fax: +38 044 590-36-24

- Email: visas.accueil@diplomatie.gouv.fr


● 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.




© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.

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