How to Get from the UK to Ukraine: A Complete Practical Guide

In recent years, traveling from the UK to Ukraine has become more difficult than before, as direct flights are currently unavailable. That is why many people have to combine a flight with further travel by train or bus through neighboring countries. Many people have a question: how to build the route correctly so that the journey is comfortable, safe, and not too expensive? This article will help you plan your trip step by step, avoid unnecessary expenses, and choose the optimal path to Ukraine.

How to Start Route Planning

The first step is to determine which European country is more convenient for you to fly to, and from there continue the journey by land transport. The choice depends on: the region of Ukraine you are going to, the cost of air tickets, the convenience of transfers, proximity to the Ukrainian border, and the availability of trains and buses. Usually, people choose Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, or Moldova.

How to Search for Air Tickets from the UK

It is most convenient to start searching through air ticket aggregators, for example: Kiwi, Skyscanner, Google Flights. There you can set: the city of departure in the UK, the city or country of arrival, travel dates, and view options by price and time. Sometimes it is more profitable to search not for a specific city, but for a country at once — for example, Poland — and then choose the most convenient option.

Why It Is Better to Buy Tickets Directly from the Airline

Aggregators are convenient for searching, but it is better to buy a ticket directly on the airline's website. For example, if you found a flight through Kiwi, it is better to go to the Ryanair or Wizz Air website and purchase the ticket there. This is convenient because: it is easier to change the booking, it is easier to get a refund in case of cancellation, there are no additional intermediary fees, and it is easier to contact customer support.

Choosing a Departure City in the UK

Sometimes cheaper tickets are available from another city. For example, you live in Birmingham, but a cheaper flight is available from London or Bristol. In this case, it is worth evaluating: the cost of travel to another city, travel time, convenience of transfer, and the need for an early departure. Sometimes a cheaper ticket loses its benefit due to additional travel costs to the airport.

Why Arrival Time is Important

It is very important to pay attention to the arrival time. If the plane arrives late in the evening: trains and buses may no longer be running, you will have to spend the night in a hotel, and the total cost of the trip will increase. It is often more profitable to choose a morning or afternoon flight so that you have time to reach the border or even cross it on the same day.

Baggage Rules of Low-cost Airlines

Most flights between the UK and Europe are operated by low-cost carriers. Therefore, be sure to check: carry-on baggage dimensions, whether a suitcase is included in the price, and rules for carrying bags. Nowadays, baggage is often checked during boarding. If the bag exceeds the allowed dimensions, you will have to pay extra. Also, remember that a small handbag is also considered carry-on baggage. If you already have a backpack, you may be asked to put the second bag inside. Therefore, it is better to think about packing things in advance.

Detailed Guide: How to Get to Ukraine Through Different Countries

After arriving in a neighboring country, the journey continues by land transport. Below are the most popular routes. Poland is the most frequent transit option for traveling from the UK to Ukraine. There are many flights here, and then it is convenient to get by train or bus to border towns and cross the border by rail or on foot. The most convenient scenarios depend on which city in Poland you arrive in.

If You Arrive in Warsaw → Travel via Chełm

This route is often chosen by those heading to Kyiv, northern, and northwestern Ukraine. How the route goes: from Warsaw airport, you get to the main station (city center). Then you take a train or bus to the city of Chełm. The journey through Poland usually takes about 3 hours. In Chełm, you can transfer to transport heading towards Ukraine (trains/buses depending on the direction and schedule). Advantages: stable connections within Poland, convenient for planning transfers for daytime flights, a good option if flying to Warsaw is the cheapest or most convenient.

If You Arrive in Krakow → Travel via Przemyśl

This is one of the most reliable ways towards Lviv and further into Ukraine. How the route goes: from Krakow, you take a train or bus to Przemyśl. Travel time is usually about 3 hours. In Przemyśl, you transfer to a train to Ukraine (often to Lviv, and then transfers to Kyiv and other cities are possible). Important: in Przemyśl, passport and customs control often take place before boarding an international train or during boarding registration (depending on the specific flight). Advantages: many convenient Przemyśl → Ukraine connections, you can choose a seating train or night options with sleeping berths, convenient with luggage.

Alternative: Medyka – Shehyni Pedestrian Crossing

If there are no train tickets, or if there are long queues of buses at the border, it is sometimes faster to cross the border on foot. How the route goes: from Krakow or Przemyśl, you take a bus/transport towards Medyka. You cross the border on foot via Medyka – Shehyni. On the Ukrainian side, you can usually find: minibuses to Lviv, buses, private taxis/transfers. Approximately to Lviv: 1–1.5 hours after the border (depends on traffic). When this is really beneficial: if buses are standing in a queue at the border; if it is important for you to pass the checkpoint faster; if you are without large luggage or with a minimum of things.

If You Arrive in Lublin → Quickly to Chełm

Lublin is a convenient option if you want less crowded stations and a shorter journey through Poland. How the route goes: you arrive in Lublin. Get to the city/station (depending on where you stayed). Then by train Lublin → Chełm — usually about 1 hour. In Chełm — transfer to transport towards Ukraine. Also: sometimes direct buses from Lublin to Ukraine are available (depending on the season and carriers).

If You Arrive in Rzeszów → Shortest Way to Przemyśl

Rzeszów is very close to the border, so it is often one of the fastest Polish routes. How the route goes: you arrive in Rzeszów. Get to the city's main station. Take the Rzeszów → Przemyśl train (usually 1–1.5 hours). Then — a train towards Ukraine. Advantages: very short journey through Poland, easy to plan a transfer on the same day, convenient for the route to Lviv and beyond. After arriving in Lviv: from here it is easy to go by train to Kyiv and other cities, or by bus to the desired region.

Hungary: Option 1. Budapest → Kyiv (by train)

Direct night train Budapest → Kyiv. How the trip goes: departure from the main station of Budapest Keleti pályaudvar; the train travels at night; crosses the Hungarian-Ukrainian border; arrives in Kyiv in the morning or afternoon. Advantages: no transfers, you can sleep comfortably at night, convenient to travel with luggage, no need to change trains at the border. What is important to know: passport control takes place at the border; due to different track gauges, the carriages undergo a change of wheelsets (passengers usually stay in the carriage); usually, compartment and sleeping cars are available. Estimated travel time: about 20–22 hours.

Hungary: Option 2. via Chop with a Transfer

This is a convenient option if there are no tickets for the direct train or if you want to plan your route more flexibly. How the trip goes: Budapest → Chop train (border town of Ukraine); passport control at the border; transfer to a Ukrainian Chop → Kyiv train. Several trains depart from Chop to Kyiv daily, including night ones. Advantages: more flight options, easier to find tickets in high season, you can make a stop in Uzhhorod or Transcarpathia. Cons: a transfer is required, possible additional waiting time. Estimated travel time: 22–26 hours (depends on the connection). Important: the Budapest → Chop + Chop → Kyiv route often turns out to be cheaper than a direct ticket.

Moldova: Chisinau → Odesa Region

If your final destination is the Odesa region or southern Ukraine, one of the most convenient options is to travel through Moldova. In this case, it is often best to fly to Chisinau.

Step 1. Flight to Chisinau. There are flights to Chisinau from the UK and other European countries.

Step 2. Road from Chisinau to Ukraine. From Chisinau to the Odesa region, you can get in several ways:

• Bus/minibus (Odesa, Izmail, Bilhorod-Dnistrovskyi — approximately 4–6 hours);

• Taxi or transfer;

• Car rental. The most common crossing in this direction is Palanka – Mayaky – Udobne. From the border to Odesa, about an hour of road remains.

Romania: Suceava → Chernivtsi

The route via Suceava is convenient for those heading to the Chernivtsi region or western Ukraine.

Step 1. How to get to Suceava. You can get to Suceava by train or bus from Bucharest, or fly to Romania.

Step 2. Suceava → border with Ukraine. From Suceava to the border, they usually go by bus, minibus, taxi, or transfer. Main crossing: Siret (Romania) — Porubne (Ukraine). Travel time from Suceava to the border: approximately 1–1.5 hours.

Step 3. After the border. You can take a minibus/bus to Chernivtsi (approximately 40–50 min). From Chernivtsi, there are trains and buses to Kyiv, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and other cities.

How to Buy Train Tickets in Ukraine

For travel within Ukraine, it is most convenient to use the official Ukrzaliznytsia app. To avoid wasting time, you need to in advance: create an account, fill in your profile, add data for all passengers, add a bank card, and verify the account through "Diia". In the "Passengers" section, you can add children or other family members. Ticket sales usually start 20 days before the train's departure. Sales start: around 8:00 for domestic flights, around 9:00 for international ones. In high season, tickets can be sold out very quickly, so it is better to log into the app immediately after the sales open.

Summary

The best travel strategy: find a convenient flight from Britain, choose the country closest to the desired region of Ukraine, think through transfers and arrival time, and buy tickets for trains or buses to Ukraine in advance. Then even a difficult journey will become clear and manageable, and the trip will be calmer.