Ukraine's airspace has been closed to civilian flights since Russia launched its full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022. There are no commercial flights to or from Ukraine. All visitors enter by land.
By train
The train is the most comfortable option for most travellers. Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) operates international services connecting Ukraine to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova and beyond.
The most useful cross-border routes for tourists:
- Warsaw – Kyiv: daily direct service, roughly 18–20 hours. Comfortable overnight trains with sleeper compartments. Book well in advance — this route sells out fast.
- Warsaw – Lviv: faster and easier if western Ukraine is your destination. Around 8–10 hours by the faster services.
- Przemysl (Poland) – Lviv: the busiest crossing point, around 2–3 hours. Przemysl is easily reached from Warsaw by domestic Polish train in about 3 hours.
- Budapest – Kyiv: runs via Chop in Zakarpattia, crossing through Ukraine. Around 20 hours.
- Bucharest – Kyiv: via Moldova, roughly 25 hours.
- Vienna – Kyiv: via Bratislava or Budapest, a long but possible overnight journey.
Book Ukrainian Railways tickets at the official website (uz.gov.ua) or through a European rail booking platform. Buy early, especially for the Warsaw–Kyiv and Warsaw–Lviv routes.
By bus
Long-distance bus services connect Lviv and Kyiv to multiple Central and Eastern European cities. FlixBus, RegioJet and Ecolines operate various cross-border routes. Buses are generally cheaper than trains, but also slower and less comfortable for very long trips.
By car
You can drive into Ukraine from Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. Border crossings on the Polish–Ukrainian border are the busiest and can involve waits of several hours, especially at Shehyni–Medyka (near Przemysl) and Uhryniv–Dorohusk. Crossing at less busy checkpoints like Krakivets–Korczowa or Rava-Ruska–Hrebenne can be faster.
Carry all vehicle documents, your passport, Ukrainian third-party insurance (available at the border) and a Green Card if applicable. Fuel is available throughout Ukraine.
Border formalities
Most Western passport holders enter visa-free. Have your passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay. Be prepared for ID checks and questions about your purpose of travel. Ukrainian military-age men (18–60) of Ukrainian nationality face separate mobilisation-related rules at the border — this does not affect foreign nationals.