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Getting to and around Kyiv: the train from Poland, the metro and the apps

In depth·Kyiv

No flights: the night train from Przemyśl or Warsaw, Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi station, the deep metro that doubles as a shelter, the funicular and the ride-hailing apps.

The main hall of Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station
The main hall of Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi railway station
Photo CreditImage courtesy of © Jorge Láscar from Australia · CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons

With Ukraine’s airspace closed, everyone arrives by land, and most by train. Ukrzaliznytsia runs services from Przemyśl and Warsaw in Poland and from Budapest in Hungary to Kyiv-Pasazhyrskyi, the main station; book on its site or app. In the city, the metro is the fastest way to move and its deep stations are shelters during alerts; the funicular links the Upper Town with Podil, and Uklon and Bolt run taxis.

Arriving

The most direct route is by train from Przemyśl, on the Polish side of the border, or from Warsaw; Ukrzaliznytsia also lists services from Budapest Keleti (uz-vezemo.uz.gov.ua). Border and document checks are thorough, so carry your passport and insurance documents (GOV.UK).

In the city

The metro is the backbone of the city and its stations serve as shelters; the funicular climbs from Poshtova Square to St Michael’s; Uklon and Bolt book taxis. Plan every journey around the night curfew.

The vaulted hall of Zoloti Vorota metro station, with its chandeliers
The vaulted hall of Zoloti Vorota metro station, with its chandeliers
Photo CreditImage courtesy of © AMY 17:08, 4 June 2010 (UTC) · CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons

Our advice: arrive in daylight, and keep the Ukrzaliznytsia app and an air-alert app on your phone.

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