How to get to Ukraine from Hungary in 2025: convenient routes and entry rules

In 2025, there are no restrictions on entering Ukraine for foreigners, but travel may be complicated due to the lack of air transportation. We talk about the most convenient routes from Hungary to Ukraine and the current rules for crossing the border

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

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Under martial law, Ukraine's borders remain open to foreigners, so many representatives from different countries continue to visit the country. In 2024 alone, more than 2.54 million foreigners entered Ukraine, including 127,472 Hungarian citizens. This trend continues in 2025.

Foreigners travel to Ukraine on personal visits, on trips and as part of volunteer missions. However, given the closed airspace, travelling to Ukraine currently has its own peculiarities. It is also necessary to follow certain safety rules when travelling.

How to get to Ukraine from Hungary? What are the entry rules for Ukraine in 2025? Useful information for those planning to travel this year can be found below.

How to travel from Hungary to Ukraine in 2025?

The closure of airspace has significantly affected transport in Ukraine. From now on, you can only enter the country by land transport – by train, bus or private car. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Train from Hungary to Ukraine

Ukraine and Hungary are constantly expanding their rail links. Currently, the following trains run between the two countries:

➤ Train No. 149 ‘Budapest - Mukachevo’ - runs daily: departure from Budapest at 19:04, arrival in Mukachevo at 06:16.

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

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

➤ Train No. 143, route ‘Zahony-Chop’: departure at 19:40, arrival at 00:24.

Advantages of travelling by train:

1. The fastest way to cross the border – passing through Hungarian and Ukrainian customs takes about 2-2.5 hours.

2. Comfort – thanks to the convenient seating, passengers can rest during the journey.

Possible delays are among the disadvantages, so if your route includes transfers, it is better to allow for more than 1 hour between them.

Where to buy train tickets to Ukraine?

Tickets for most Ukrzaliznytsia trains can be purchased online on the official UZ website, in the mobile app and through official chatbots.

Tickets go on sale at 08:00, 20 days before the train departs. Returned tickets appear on the website 1-2 days before departure.

Please note that for some trains, you will only have 2-4 minutes to purchase tickets, as they sell out very quickly.

Bus routes to Ukraine

The bus transport market is represented by a large number of companies, from experienced carriers with a large fleet to newcomers to the industry.

Routes depart from several Hungarian cities and go to most Ukrainian regions.

Where to buy bus tickets to Ukraine?

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 offers. One such resource 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 departing from various European cities to Ukraine and quickly book tickets. The booking process on the website is extremely simple. You just select the route, carrier and date, and you can pay directly through the website.

By car to Ukraine

Many foreigners prefer to travel by car. The distance from Budapest to Kyiv is 1,150 km. The approximate travel time is 14 hours. Taking into account petrol prices, such a trip can cost around €300.

There are six road border crossing points between Ukraine and Hungary:

1. Dzvino – Lonya.

Type of connection: road (except buses).

Opening hours: 07:00 to 18:00 Central European Time.

2. Kosino – Barabash.

Type of connection: car (except buses).

Working hours: from 07:00 to 19:00 Central European Time.

3. Vylok – Tisabec.

Type of connection: car.

Working hours: round the clock.

4. Chop (Tisa) – Zakhon.

Type of connection: road.

Operating hours: 24 hours a day.

5. Luzhanka – Beregsurany.

Type of connection: road.

Operating hours: 24 hours a day.

6. Velyka Palad – Nagyeghodoz.

Type of connection: road.

Operating hours: from 07:00 to 18:00.

You can check the waiting time at checkpoints with Hungary to enter Ukraine by following the link. 

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. If you plan to stay in Ukraine 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 Green Card insurance policy.

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Rules of entry for citizens of Hungary to Ukraine in 2025

Visa requirements

Visa is not required. Citizens of Hungary 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 length of 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") at the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in Hungary. It is better to start the procedure at least 3 months before the planned trip.

List of documents for a trip to Ukraine from Hungary

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. Medical insurance policy.

2. Proof of purpose of travel: a notarised invitation from Ukrainian citizens (relatives, acquaintances, friends), tourist vouchers, confirmation of accommodation booking, invitations from companies or organisations, tickets for seminars, exhibitions, fairs, documents on treatment in medical institutions, etc.

3. Proof of financial means (cash, bank statement, ATM receipt, etc.) – proof that you have sufficient funds for the entire period of your planned stay in Ukraine or transit to a third country (45 USD per person per day of stay in Ukraine).

4. No ban on entry into Ukraine from an authorised body.

Who may be denied entry into Ukraine, read in our article.

If you plan to stay in Ukraine for a long time or are sorting out your documents, it is important to have someone who is familiar with Ukrainian legislation. The lawyers at Visit Ukraine work with foreigners, helping them to obtain residence permits, tax numbers, register businesses and with other issues related to their stay in Ukraine. Legal support means peace of mind and confidence in every step you take.

Is it safe to travel to Ukraine in 2025?

In 2025, Ukraine continues to live in a state of full-scale war. Despite this, life has not stopped — cafes, hotels and museums are open, and tours and cultural events are taking place. However, the issue of safety while travelling remains key.

The level of threat varies depending 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. Meanwhile, in the central and western parts of the country, the situation is much more stable, although the threat of air strikes remains throughout Ukraine.

Recommendations for safe travel to Ukraine

To ensure a safe trip to Ukraine in 2025, follow these recommendations:

– Check official information. Read the travel advice for Ukraine issued by your country's foreign ministry. Follow the updates on the websites of the State Border Service of Ukraine and local authorities.

– Prepare your documents. Make sure your passport is valid and your visa (if required) is in order. Make copies of important documents (passport, insurance policy, visa) and save them in digital form.

– Arrange for medical insurance. Your policy should cover treatment in Ukraine, including possible emergencies, and it is advisable to have additional coverage for risks related to war.

– Keep an eye on air raid alerts. Install the Air Raid Alert mobile app (App Store | Google Play) and learn the rules of conduct during shelling. In the event of an alarm, immediately proceed to the nearest shelter.

– Do not photograph military objects. It is prohibited to photograph checkpoints, military equipment, Ukrainian Armed Forces positions, and other strategic objects.

– Be prepared for checks. 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.

How to get insurance covering military risks for travel to Ukraine?

War risk insurance is a medical insurance policy that provides foreign citizens with financial protection in the event of an accident resulting from military action. Given the current situation in the country, such insurance is a critical safety element for foreigners planning a trip or long-term stay in Ukraine.

The Visit Ukraine portal offers quick and convenient medical insurance with war risk coverage. You can purchase insurance online and receive an electronic policy by email immediately after payment.

To purchase a policy, follow these simple steps:

1. Follow this link.

2. Select the insurance package that suits your needs.

3. Select the insurance period (standard policies can be taken out for a period of 3 to 180 days, annual insurance Bronya+ Year of Protection – only for 365 days) and enter your date of birth. The service will automatically calculate the cost of insurance for one person for the selected period.

4. Fill in the form with the insured person's details (full name, email, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence). At this stage, you can add details of 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 email address you provided).

6. Pay for the policy using your preferred payment method.

You will receive your medical insurance policy at the email address you provided. You do not need to print it out — simply save the electronic insurance policy on your smartphone or other device, as it has the same legal force as a paper copy.

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. The largest database of routes from proven tourist operators is collected at the link. 

● Book hotels here. 

● To feel more mobile while traveling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car. Detailed instructions at the link.

● Safety rules must be strictly followed when traveling through Ukraine under martial law. In addition, make sure you have military risk insurance. 

● 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 the specialists at the link.

● Stylish clothes and accessories in memory of Ukraine here.

● Contacts of the Embassy of Hungary in Ukraine:

- Address: 33 Reitarska Street, Kyiv, Ukraine, 01901.

- Phone: +380 44 230 8001.

● 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!

We wish you a good trip!

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.

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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