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Ukraine travel advisory: is it safe to go now?

Why foreigners continue to visit Ukraine during the war? Tips and tricks for travelers.

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Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine has been going on for almost two years now, but a large number of foreigners continue to visit Ukraine, and Ukrainians are trying to live normal lives even during the war.

What does the statistics say about foreigners visiting Ukraine? Is it safe to travel now?

Almost two years into the war, countries have begun to ease the rules for visiting Ukraine. For example, on January 22, the British Foreign Office officially allowed visits to four western regions of Ukraine, such as Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, and Ternopil regions. 

Such changes depend on several factors, the most important of which are the geographical location of these regions and the almost complete absence of strategic facilities, that could be attacked.

You can find full information about the security situation in a particular region or city of Ukraine on Visit Ukraine.today.

It is also important to note that Kyiv was recognized as the safest city in Ukraine, as the capital has the largest number of air defense systems that completely cover the sky over the city from air attacks.

Therefore, both central and western parts of Ukraine are safe enough. People continue to live, work, go to restaurants, movies and various events, and, of course, travel around the country.

As for foreigners in Ukraine, according to official statistics from the State Border Guard Service, more than 2.4 million foreigners visited Ukraine in 2023, including more than 136,000 people from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany.

It is possible because of the high-quality work of the radar units of the Air Defense Forces of Ukraine, which constantly monitor the airspace, track threats and warn the public about the danger regularly. At the same time, the key to a safe stay in Ukraine is not only the work of the military, but also a responsible attitude to the threats. People are warned about it. Thus, as of the end of 2023, more than 61,000 civil defense facilities, in other words, shelters and bomb shelters, were built in Ukraine, where people can wait out the air raid and protect themselves from danger.

How to travel to Ukraine during the war and what do you need to know?

Ukraine's land borders are open to foreigners, and you can enter by car, bus, or train through checkpoints on the borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova. The most convenient option is to fly to one of the airports closest to Ukraine and then continue your journey by land.

The rules of entry to Ukraine for foreigners (except for Russian citizens) have not changed during the war. Visa-free regime with Ukraine has been established with most countries of the world, including the EU, the US, Japan and other countries. 

Thus, in order to cross the Ukrainian border, you must have

– a valid foreign passport;

– confirmation of the purpose of the trip (travel voucher, invitation, etc.)/visa;

– proof of sufficient financial support for the period of stay in Ukraine ($45 per person per 1 day);

– health insurance (of the appropriate type).

You should pay attention to the insurance for entry into Ukraine, as it should cover not only basic medical services, but also passive and direct military risks in case of injury or accident. You can take out a reliable insurance policy with war risk coverage and a guarantee of payments here . 

In addition, when planning a trip to Ukraine, we recommend that you install the Air Alert app on your smartphone in advance to instantly learn about the danger, familiarize yourself with the rules of conduct, view a map of shelters in the city where you plan to stay and find out what the curfew is in the region you need. 

All this information, as well as details about the rules, prohibitions and restrictions on visiting Ukraine during the war, the most convenient routes to and through Ukraine, travel recommendations and legal support, can be found on the Visit Ukraine.today service portal . Visit Ukraine is the place where you will find everything for a comfortable trip to Ukraine!

Please leave your suggestions or corrections here

Comments (5)

You don't need an invitation if you are from the EU. You don't even need a visa.

What a pile of shit. Kabul, Baghdad, and plenty of other shit holes are better options.

@Joseph Swanson, Looks like troll 'jack griffin' is impersonating another Kyivpost poster again. Don't worry jack you will never hav to go to Ukraine. They don't want you. In fact if you go your Resort stay will be quite affordable, but it will be behind bars for your efforts to support your thug mast putin. For the rest of us in EU and abroad we can't wait for Ukraines' full inclusion in both the EU and NATO. What a rich and worthy culture we can see they have now that putins lies have been exposes and his oppression thwarted. What a deservedly proud nation Ukraine is. I contrast what a moral cesspool russia has become. Even before the war its was ranked in 141st place on the International Transparency corruption index. The USA was ranked 24th having fallen somewhat under. It fell under trump who flourish in nepotism such as: January 9, 2017". Trump announces that his daughter, Ivanka, and son-in-law, Jared Kushner, a pair of wealthy real estate heirs with no relevant experience in government, politics, or public service, will accept senior West Wing positions in the new administration."

Insightful article. Can't wait to visit Ukraine. 

The travel insurance portal linked for very affordable enhanced health care coverage in the Ukraine has excellent prices. At the bottom of that site I also found a link to many affordable tour offers some of which are very appealing prices for the aging joint era that I'm entering. 



I made the trip together with my girlfriend who is from Ukraine. End of October 2023. The train is very comfortable and clean, better than most European countries. Lviv was beautiful, the Carpathian Mountains breathtaking, Kyiv was full of life despite the horrible war not far away. Stay safe, peace and love ~ strength from the Netherlands.

Insightful article. Can't wait to visit Ukraine. The travel insurance portal linked for very affordable enhanced health care coverage in the Ukraine has excellent prices. At the bottom of that site I also found a link to many affordable tour offers some of which are very appealing prices for the aging joint era that I'm entering. If manageable sometime this year, I'd do a trip to Ukraine in a blink despite the war. Then again we also took advantage of the many flight discounts available post the USA's 9/11 airborne attacks. A little risk tied to a supporting a good cause always makes the moment more memorable. At any rate as Neil Young would sing "Its better to burn out, than to fade away" .....in a sedentary sheltered life.

UK eases travel warning for parts of western Ukraine

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Is it safe to travel to Ukraine or Russia? Latest UK advice on flights and holidays as Putin launches invasion

Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on thursday 24 february, and there has been disruption to routes to russia.

Flights to and from Ukraine have been suspended as the country closed its airspace in the early hours of Thursday morning in response to the Russian invasion of the country .

Air routes from the UK to other nations in Europe are still operating , although there has been some disruption to routes to Russia.

Here is what the invasion could mean for the travel industry and your holidays.

How is the war affecting air routes?

Ukraine closed its airspace to civilian flights on Thursday 24 February.

While the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has said that airspace in Russia and Belarus within 100 nautical miles of their borders with Ukraine could also pose a risk to flights.

Moldova, south-east of Ukraine, has also shut its airspace. While Belarus to the north – u sed by Russian troops as a staging post for the invasion , has closed part of its airspace.

Will flights take longer to reach their destination?

Despite the size of Ukraine, the closure of its airspace should not affect too many flightpaths from the UK to the rest of the world.

Many airlines had already stopped flying across much of Ukraine in response to the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 by pro-Russian separatists in 2014.

Could flight or holiday prices increase?

Yes. Russia produces 10 per cent of the world’s oil supply and prices have surged above $100 a barrel, in response to the war.

Airlines hedge their fares against the expected future cost of jet fuel but sustained rises will eventually have a knock-on effect on ticket prices.

Can I be made to pay extra for my holiday if fuel prices increase?

Yes, you could be asked to pay a surcharge of up to 8 per cent. Under package holiday regulations, travel firms are allowed to hike prices after a customer has booked if the increase is to offset changes to exchange rates, fuel costs, taxes or fees.

Companies must warn that they may do so in their terms and conditions and can pass on an increase of up to 8 per cent without allowing you to cancel penalty-free.

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The legislation works both ways. So in the unlikely event that you prove that a firm’s costs have gone down, you can ask for a discount on your holiday.

Hiking a customer’s holiday price would not be a good PR move for travel firms and would likely be done as a last resort. The right has been exercised by companies in the past to offset sudden tax increases.

Are there extra border checks in place for leaving the UK?

The Government has been concerned that UK neo-Nazis might attempt to travel to Ukraine in order to exploit the situation to gain weapons and military experience.

Counter-terrorism police have been deployed to the departure gates of at least one main British airport this week, The Guardian reports.

If concerns arise that extremists could enter Ukraine via land borders, then there is always the possibility that enhanced security checks could be employed for flights to countries neighbouring Ukraine.

Is it safe to travel to Russia?

The Foriegn, Commonwealth and Development Office (FDCO) advises against all but essential travel to anywhere withing 12.5 miles of Russia’s border with Ukraine.

The Government also has a long-standing travel advisory against visiting unstable border regions in southern Russia such as Chechnya.

Is it safe to travel to neighbouring countries such as Poland?

The Foreign and Commonwealth website has no warnings against visiting Poland, Romania, Slovakia or Hungary.

However, updates issued on the morning of Thursday 24 February advised that people “should not attempt to cross into Ukraine from Poland” due to “multiple reports of widespread military activity in Ukraine”.

NATO has said that it will send troops to strengthen its eastern flank near Ukraine and to help with an an influx of up to one million refugees who expected to cross Poland’s 332-mile border with its neighbour.

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FAQs - booking Ukraine flights

What are my transport options to downtown from boryspil international airport.

Kyiv Boryspil Express operates train service from the airport to Kyiv Pasazhyrskyi Railway station in the city centre. Sky Bus Route 322 also provides transport from Terminal D to the train terminal as well as to Kharkivska metro station in the city centre. There are also taxis and a car hire centre at the airport while Carpool Ukraine, Uber and Lyft provide pick-up services. Some centrally located accommodations such as ibis Kyiv City Centre provide airport shuttle transfers as a further option.

Do I need a visa to visit Ukraine?

British nationals on flights from UK to Ukraine can travel visa-free and stay for up to 90 days within a six-month period. Passports must be valid for the duration of your visit, but you may need to provide evidence of financial support for your trip. Schengen visas may be necessary for some EU citizens. All other foreign nationals should seek advice regarding visa requirements.

Are there any direct flights to Lviv?

Lviv is the largest city in western Ukraine and you can get direct flights there from London. Ryanair offers a few non-stop flights from London Stansted which complete the journey to Lviv International Airport (LWO) in approx. 2h 30min.

Where can I get local currency at Odessa International Airport?

There are currency exchange operators at International Arrivals in the Old Terminal and in the Arrivals Lounge at the New Terminal. Cashpoint machines are also available at Odessa International Airport for small sums of cash.

How long is the flight to Ukraine?

An average direct flight from the United Kingdom to Ukraine takes 21h 25m, covering a distance of 1405 miles. The most popular route is London - Odesa with an average flight time of 11h 20m.

What is the cheapest flight to Ukraine?

The cheapest ticket to Ukraine from the United Kingdom found in the last 72 hours was £41. The most popular route is London Luton to Odesa Intl and the cheapest round-trip airline ticket found on this route in the last 72 hours was £41.

What are the most popular destinations in Ukraine?

The next most popular destinations are Odesa (15%) and Kharkiv (13%). Searches for flights to Lviv (12%), to Dnipro (11%) and to Zaporozhye (4%) are also popular.

How does KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool help me choose the right time to buy?

KAYAK’s flight Price Forecast tool uses historical data to determine whether the price for a given destination and date is likely to change within 7 days, so travellers know whether to wait or book now.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Ukraine

• Enter your preferred departure airport and travel dates into the search form above to unlock the latest Ukraine flight deals.
• Flights from the UK to Ukraine travel to various airports across the country. Boryspil International Airport (KBP), the nation’s busiest, serves the capital Kyiv and the central regions along the Dnieper River. It is also a base of operations for Ukraine National Airlines, one of the carriers offering service between the two countries.
• Ryanair is one of the few providers of direct flights from the UK to Ukraine with service from London Stansted Airport (STN). KLM offers one-stop departures from Glasgow Airport (GLA) via Amsterdam, but passengers travelling aboard easyJet from Cardiff Airport (CWL) will experience two connections at Dublin and Riga.
• Kharkiv International Airport (HRK) is the gateway to the important industrial city and the eastern region of the country. Ryanair offers one-stop flights there from London Stansted via Warsaw and from London Luton (LTN) Airport by way of Krakow. easyJet also has cheap flights from London Luton with connections at Krakow.
• To visit the major tourist centre of Odessa, flights from the UK to Ukraine travel south to Odessa International Airport (ODS). LOT Polish Airlines has limited flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) with connections at Warsaw. Ryanair, WIZZ Air and easyJet provide departures from London Luton with stopovers at Krakow, but you can also get Ryanair service from London Stansted via Poznan.
• Heathrow Express from London Paddington station and Stansted Express trains from London Liverpool Street station are the quickest public transport to their respective airports. If your flight departs London Luton, there is Docklands Light Rail (DLR) service from Bank Underground station or London St. Pancras International.

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Can British nationals go to Ukraine to fight against Russian troops?

• Friday 4 March 2022 at 4:25pm

As Russia 's invasion of Ukraine continues to devastate the country and claim thousands of lives, many across the world are looking for ways to help - including joining the military fight against Moscow.

Retired and serving British soldiers, and even citizens, have expressed their desire to support the Ukrainian resistance - but there has been confusion over whether they would be allowed to go.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) continues to advise against all travel to Ukraine and told ITV News that "anyone who travels to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity should expect to be investigated" when they return to Britain.

However, Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said she would "absolutely support" British nationals who want to join the fight.

Questions have been raised about the legality of Britons going abroad to fight in previous foreign conflicts and whether the same laws could apply to the Ukraine war.

What is the UK travel advice for Ukraine?

As of February 11, the FCDO has advised Britons against all travel to the whole of Ukraine.

It has also been urging British nationals to evacuate.

The FCDO's official advice says: "The Russian invasion of Ukraine is ongoing, with attacks against a number of major cities. There is a real risk to life.

"We advise British nationals to leave Ukraine immediately if you judge it is safe to do so. Ukraine’s airspace is closed."

Can British citizens travel to Ukraine to fight?

Earlier this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for foreign volunteers to go to Ukraine and form an "international legion", promising them arms to fight against the Russian troops.

When the foreign secretary was asked if she would support UK citizens who chose to answer the call, Ms Truss told BBC’s Sunday Morning programme: "I do support that and of course, that is something that people can make their own decision about.

"The people of Ukraine are fighting for freedom and democracy, not just for Ukraine but for the whole of Europe, because that is what President Putin is challenging."

"Absolutely, if people want to support that struggle, I would support them in doing that," she added.

However, Downing Street and Defence Secretary Ben Wallace later effectively contradicted Ms Truss' comments.

Mr Wallace urged Britons not to travel to Ukraine to join the fighting as he said the “very dangerous” situation could lead to them being killed.

The defence secretary, who served in the Scots Guard, said it was a "just cause" for Ukrainians to return to fight but reiterated the risks.

He added: “If you're British and you just want to go and do this, and fight, I would give strong advice that if you want to help in that world - join our Armed Forces."

The Ministry of Defence has announced a host of new deployments in recent weeks.

British troops and tanks have been deployed to Estonia, near Russia’s border, while Royal Navy ships are at sea in the Mediterranean and Royal Air Force jets are conducting missions over Poland and Romania, intended to reassure allies.

But Mr Wallace said "you have to be a trained person" and it would be dangerous for amateurs to join the efforts, adding there are "better ways" for Britons to help.

He said this could be by donating money through the Ukrainian embassy to be spent on weaponry and aid, or to volunteer with organisations helping refugees .

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s official spokesman said: "The best way we can help Ukraine right now is by ensuring Putin fails.

"There are a number of ways Brits can show their support for that, and the Ukrainian embassy in London is putting out information about how British people can support.

“We fully recognise the strength of feeling about British people wanting to support the Ukrainians following the Russian invasion. There’s advice up on travelling to Ukraine, we currently advise against travel to Ukraine.”

Is it illegal for Brits to join the Ukrainian fight?

When ITV News asked the FCDO if Brits travelling to Ukraine to fight would face prosecution, the spokesperson replied: "We advise against travel to Ukraine and anyone who travels to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity, should expect to be investigated upon their return to the UK.”

However, they did not clarify what would be considered "unlawful activity".

In 2014, the Crown Prosecution Service warned that UK nationals who went to fight in the Syrian civil war could be committing an offence, even if they joined the rebels fighting to overthrow President Bashar Assad.

Despite Ms Truss' comments, questions have been raised about whether Britons could face similar criminal action if they go to Ukraine.

An FCDO spokesperson told ITV News: “We advise against travel to Ukraine and anyone who travels to conflict zones to engage in unlawful activity, should expect to be investigated upon their return to the UK.”

Former Brexit Secretary David Davis said on LBC: "I think actually it's illegal to go and fight in a foreign war these days".

He pointed to the Foreign Enlistment Act of 1870 which bans Britons from fighting in the "military or naval service of any foreign state" that is at war with a country that the UK is "at peace" with.

"There are certainly laws restricting who you can go and fight for already," he told the radio show.

However, he added: "People fought on various sides of the Spanish Civil war without being penalised when they came back".

Can British soldiers join the fight in Ukraine?

An Army spokesperson told ITV News that "all Service Personnel are prohibited from travelling to Ukraine until further notice".

"This applies whether the Service Person is on leave or not. Personnel travelling to Ukraine will face disciplinary and administrative consequences. The only personnel exempt from this order are those whose official duties require presence in Ukraine such as Defence Attaché staff," added the spokesperson.

It comes after a leaked message on the British Army's internal messaging service saw military chiefs ban soldiers from heading to Ukraine.

The note, shared on February 28, read: "There has been some recent media coverage relating to foreigners being welcomed into Ukraine to help fight against Russia.

"To be clear, as members of the British Army, you are not authorised to travel to Ukraine to support the ongoing conflict against Russia in any form, whether you are on leave or not.

"Please remain professional and focused on your duty and your team."

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Travel Advisory May 22, 2023

Ukraine - level 4: do not travel.

Do not travel to Ukraine due to Russia’s war against Ukraine. The Department of State continues to advise that U.S. citizens not travel to Ukraine due to active armed conflict. Read the entire Travel Advisory.

All U.S. citizens should carefully monitor U.S. government notices and local and international media outlets for information about changing security conditions and alerts to shelter in place. Those choosing to remain in Ukraine should exercise caution due to the potential for military attacks, crime, civil unrest, and consult the Department’s latest security alerts.

The security situation in Ukraine remains unpredictable. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should stay vigilant and take appropriate steps to increase their security awareness. Know the location of your closest shelter or protected space. In the event of mortar, missile, drone, or rocket fire, follow instructions from local authorities and seek shelter immediately. If you feel your current location is no longer safe, you should carefully assess the potential risks involved in moving to a different location.

There are continued reports of Russian forces and their proxies singling out U.S. citizens in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine for detention, interrogation, or harassment because of their nationality. U.S. citizens have also been singled out when evacuating by land through Russia-occupied territory or to Russia or Belarus.

U.S. citizens seeking emergency assistance should email [email protected] for assistance. Please review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas . U.S. citizens may also seek consular services, including requests for repatriation loans, passports, and visa services, at U.S. embassies and consulates in neighboring countries .

On February 24, 2022, the Ukrainian government declared a state of emergency. Each province (oblast) decides on measures to be implemented according to local conditions. Measures could include curfews, restrictions on the freedom of movement, ID verification, and increased security inspections, among other measures. Follow any oblast-specific state of emergency measures.

Many in the international community, including the United States and Ukraine, do not recognize Russia’s purported annexation of Crimea in 2014, nor the September 2022 purported annexation of four other Ukrainian oblasts -- Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in these areas. There are also abuses against foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in these regions, particularly against those who are seen as challenging Russia’s occupation.

Although Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine severely restricts the Embassy’s access and ability to provide services in these areas, the Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv continue to remotely provide certain emergency consular services to U.S. citizens in Crimea as well as four other Ukrainian oblasts partially occupied by Russia – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia – to the extent possible given security conditions.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has issued a Notice to Air Missions (NOTAM) prohibiting U.S. aviation operations into, out of, within, or over Ukraine. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the FAA’s Prohibitions, Restrictions, and Notices .

Read the country information page for additional information on travel to Ukraine.

Travel to High-Risk Areas

If you choose to disregard the Travel Advisory and travel to Ukraine, you should consider taking the following steps:

• Visit our website on Travel to High-Risk areas .
• Draft a will and designate appropriate insurance beneficiaries and/or power of attorney.
• Discuss a plan with loved ones regarding care/custody of children, pets, property, belongings, non-liquid assets (collections, artwork, etc.), funeral wishes, etc.
• Share important documents, login information, and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return as planned to the United States.
• Leave DNA samples with your medical provider in case it is necessary for your family to access them.
• Establish your own personal security plan in coordination with your employer or host organization or consider consulting with a professional security organization.
• Develop a communication plan with family and/or your employer or host organization so that they can monitor your safety and location as you travel through high-risk areas. This plan should specify who you would contact first and how they should share the information.
• Enroll your trip in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter .
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist .

If you are currently in Ukraine:

• Read the Department’s country information page on Ukraine.
• Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas .
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Notices related to your travel.
• Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel.
• Understand the COVID testing and vaccine requirements for all countries that you will transit through to your destination.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Review the Country Security Report for Ukraine.
• Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk areas .

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4 A.I. Sikorsky St. (formerly Tankova) 04112 Kyiv, Ukraine Telephone:  +38 (044) 521-5000 Fax: +38 (044) 521-5544 Email:  [email protected]

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Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

• You do not need a visa to enter Ukraine for tourism purposes for visits of up to 90 days in any 180 day period, but must be able to provide proof of valid health insurance and sufficient funds for the duration of your stay.
• No vaccinations are required for entry, but you should be up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations .
• A visa and residency permit is required for stays over 90 days. You must receive the visa in advance at a Ukrainian embassy or consulate. You cannot get a Ukrainian visa at the airport or at the border. For information regarding visa requirements and to find the nearest Ukrainian embassy or consulate, visit the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Embassy of Ukraine in the U.S.
• You must have a visa to apply for a Ukrainian residency permit; you may not do so while on visa-free tourist travel. You must apply with the State Migration Service of Ukraine (SMS) for a residency permit no later than 15 working days before your visa’s expiration date. Once you have a residency permit you can reside in Ukraine for as long as it remains valid. More information is available at the SMS website (limited information available in English).

Crimea: There is an extensive Russian Federation military presence in the Crimean Peninsula. Follow the guidance in our Travel Advisory for Ukraine and defer all travel to Crimea. If you choose to travel there, you should be aware:

• U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to Crimea and are unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens there.
• You may only legally enter Crimea from mainland Ukraine.
• Entrance into Crimea by any other entry point other than from mainland Ukraine, such as air, sea, or the Kerch Strait Bridge is illegal. You will be denied entry into mainland Ukraine and banned from entering Ukraine for five years.
• Time spent in Crimea will count against the 90 day visa-free period. 

Eastern Ukraine: Russia-led forces continue to control areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, and the ongoing armed conflict has resulted in more than 10,000 deaths. Follow the guidance in our Travel Advisory for Ukraine , and do not travel there. If you choose to travel to these areas, you should be aware:

• U.S. government employees are prohibited from traveling to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and to adjacent regions, and the U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens there.
• Entering Ukraine through the area of armed conflict is a violation of Ukrainian law. U.S. citizens who enter Ukraine illegally through the area of armed conflict along the Russian border will not be allowed to pass through government checkpoints to territory controlled by the government of Ukraine.
• Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) procedures at entry/exit points require that permit applications be submitted and approved electronically prior to travel in the zone of armed conflict.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Ukraine. However, anyone with tuberculosis cannot get permanent residency in Ukraine. There are no waivers or exceptions to this rule.

Information about customs rules can be found on the Ukrainian State Customs Service website and on our Customs Information page.

Find information on dual nationality , prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our website.

Safety and Security

Terrorism Activity: Credible information indicates that terrorist groups continue plotting possible attacks in Europe. European governments are taking action to guard against terrorist attacks; however, all European countries remain potentially vulnerable to attacks from transnational terrorist organizations.

Small-scale bombings continue to occur throughout Ukraine. While most attacks are at night and appear intended to cause property damage and incite fear, multiple attacks within the past year have been fatal, sometimes occurring in populated areas during daylight hours.

Please read the Travel Advisory for Ukraine before traveling. While in Ukraine, you should carry travel documents with you at all times.

Potential for civil disturbances: Large-scale protests have occurred from time to time in cities throughout Ukraine.

• You should avoid large gatherings or protests and adjacent areas.
• In the past, some protests have turned violent and resulted in deaths and injuries. 
• Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media.
• The Embassy will post information about sizeable planned protests on the Embassy website .

Crimea: There is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea as part of Russia’s occupation and attempted annexation of this part of Ukraine, which the international community, including the United States and Ukraine, does not recognize. There are continuing abuses against and arbitrary imprisonment of foreigners and the local population by the occupation authorities in Crimea, particularly abuses against individuals who are seen as challenging Russian authority on the peninsula. The U.S. government prohibits employees from traveling to Crimea and is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens there.

Eastern Ukraine : U.S. citizens should not travel to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts due to ongoing armed conflict.

• The U.S. government has limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in this area.
• U.S. citizens have been specifically targeted by gunmen representing the self-proclaimed authorities and threatened, detained, or kidnapped for hours or days.
• Shortages of water, power, medicine, and food supplies have also been reported in Russian-proxy-controlled territory, and widespread disorder and looting has been confirmed in these areas.

Crime: Criminals may target tourists due to perceived wealth. A new professional and well-trained police force (Patrol Police) has been implemented, but police corruption remains an issue.

• Criminal activity, including burglaries, robberies, muggings, and pickpocketing is increasingly a problem in Ukraine.
• Law enforcement and emergency officials rarely speak English, and interpreters are not readily available.
• Muggings, attacks, armed robberies, harassment, or the drugging at nightspots of unsuspecting victims (who are then robbed and/or assaulted) have been reported.
• Cases of assaults in apartment building corridors, elevators, and stairwells, as well as armed break-ins and crimes involving firearms, have also been reported.
• Recently, there has been an increase in reports of criminals luring unsuspecting visitors to Ukraine with promises of cheap lodging and/or companionship. The criminals then forcibly abduct the visitors and proceed to make unauthorized transactions via their victims’ bank cards and accounts.
• Many incidents of criminal activity occur on the public transport system, including the metro. When riding on public transportation or moving in crowded areas, keep your purse, bag, or backpack tightly under your arm and/or in front of your body. 

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime: U.S. citizen victim of sexual assault should report crimes to the local police at 102 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +38 (044) 521-5000 after hours. 

Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• provide you with information about medical facilities
• provide information about reporting a crime to the police
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• provide a list of local attorneys
• provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution (subject to approval)
• help you find temporary accommodation and arrange flights home in cases of destitution
• replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. The Embassy will be able to assist with contacting police and provide you with a list of local shelters.

Tourism: The tourism industry is unevenly regulated, and safety inspections for equipment and facilities do not occur everywhere. Hazardous areas/activities are not always identified with appropriate signage, and staff may not be trained or certified either by the host government or by recognized authorities in the field. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is typically available only in/near major cities. First responders are generally able to access areas outside of major cities and to provide necessary medical treatment, but it may take time for them to arrive. Local law requires foreigners to have medical insurance when traveling to Ukraine. U.S. citizens are encouraged to consider purchasing additional medical evacuation insurance when arranging their medical insurance for traveling to Ukraine. 

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. If you are arrested, you can face extended periods, even years, in pre-trial detention. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking illegal drugs are severe, and if convicted you can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Furthermore, some violations of laws in Ukraine are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, see our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Arrests: When in a foreign country, you are subject the country’s laws. If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our webpage for further information.

• Ukrainian law permits police to stop you for any reason and check your identification documents.
• You are required to carry your passport at all times; police may check to verify your legal presence in Ukraine.
• Police are permitted to detain you for up to 72 hours without formal charges.
• If stopped by the police for an unclear reason, call the U.S. Embassy at +38 (044) 521 5000.

Faith-Based Travelers: See the Department of State’s International Religious Freedom Report and the following webpages for details

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTI Travelers: Discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is a problem in Ukraine, as LGBTI individuals have been the target of harassment, threats, and acts of violence. For more detailed information about LGBTI rights in Ukraine, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2017 .  For further information on LGBTI travel, please read our Information for LGBT Travelers page.

See our LGBTI Travel Information page and section six of our Human Rights Report for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Accessibility is an issue in Ukraine. Public transport systems are not fully accessible to individuals with disabilities. Some newer buildings feature ramps and elevators, but older buildings do not. You should check ahead with your hotel/destination to learn more about options to accommodate disabled traveler needs before visiting Ukraine. See our Traveling with Disabilities page.

Students: See our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for women travelers .

By Ukrainian law, all foreigners coming to Ukraine must have medical insurance covering their period of travel. Note that the general quality of healthcare in Ukraine does not meet U.S. standards.

• Fees at government clinics and hospitals are lower than those at private clinics, but there have been reports that doctors request bribes or additional payments before treating patients.
• Private physicians and private hospitals charge fees for services, and some do not accept local health insurance. 
• Public facilities only accept cash payments, while most private clinics accept credit cards.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. See our webpage for more information on insurance overseas.

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas . We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.

Medication: If traveling with prescription medication, check with the State Register of Medicines (Ukrainian language only) to ensure the medication is legal to bring into the country, as many medications that are legal in the United States are prohibited in Ukraine. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. 

The following diseases are prevalent in Ukraine:

• Tuberculosis

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety:

• Generally, roads outside major urban areas are in bad condition and poorly lit.
• U.S. drivers licenses are not valid in Ukraine as their vehicle categories do not meet the standards enumerated in the 1968 Convention on Road Traffic (as amended in 2011). Travelers who do not have a foreign driver’s license that meets these requirements must obtain either a Ukrainian driver’s license or an International Driving Permit .
• You should drive defensively at all times.
• Drivers are often poorly trained; many drive without a valid driver's license.
• Drivers can also be dangerously aggressive; often do not respect the rights of pedestrians, even at clearly marked pedestrian crossings; and sometimes drive on the sidewalks.
• Many cars, including some taxis, do not meet U.S. safety standards.

In case of accidents:

• Emergency number: Dial 103 for ambulance service and 102 for police. Ambulance crews do not respond quickly and do not often include trained paramedics.
• Notify the police immediately. By law, police must be notified in the event of an accident. Remain at the scene until the police arrive to conduct an investigation.
• It is a criminal offense to move the vehicle from the site of the accident unless it presents a clear safety concern (causing a traffic jam is not considered a safety concern). In practice, this even includes moving a vehicle to the side of the road.
• You must wait until the police arrive and complete their report; often this can take several hours.
• The police will decide preliminary responsibility, take the drivers’ personal information, seize driver’s licenses, and file an accident report. Temporary driver’s licenses will be issued. Once a court decision has been made regarding responsibility, the original driver’s licenses can be recovered from police. Note that in the vast majority of cases, the police will not speak English.

Traffic Laws:  

• Ukraine has a zero-tolerance policy for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Violations may result in fines, imprisonment, and/or deportation.
• Non-payment of traffic or parking fines may result in travel bans, which means you cannot leave the country until the fines (plus penalties) are paid.
• Using a cellular telephone or texting while driving is illegal.
• Do not turn right on a red light, unless there is a special green arrow sign attached to the stoplight.
• Front seat belts are mandatory.

Public Transportation:

• Only use marked taxis. Fares are given in advance when you order a taxi by phone, but prices are typically negotiated with the driver in advance if hailing a cab in the street.
• Do not sit in the front seat of the taxi, enter a taxi with unknown passengers, or travel to unfamiliar areas.
• Buses and trams are widely used.

See our Road Safety page for more information. 

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Ukraine’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Ukraine’s air carrier operations. You can find further information on the FAA website at the FAA safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Ukraine should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts at www.marad.dot.gov/msci . Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website ( https:homeport.uscg.mil ), and the NGA broadcast warnings website ( http://msi.nga.mil/NGAPortal/MSI.portal - select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Ukraine . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA ) report.

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The Man in Seat 61

How to travel by train from

London to kyiv & ukraine.

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Train travel UK & Ireland...

Train travel in europe..., train travel in asia..., train travel in africa..., train travel in america..., train travel in australasia, take the train from the uk to ukraine.

It's easy to travel by train from London to Ukraine, an adventurous journey that's also comfortable & affordable, superior to a soulless flight.  Eurostar and German Railways link London with Warsaw, then there is a comfortable daily sleeper train Kyiv Express from Warsaw to Kyiv.  Change in Kyiv for Odessa.  Or use the direct sleeper from Vienna or Budapest to Lviv & Kyiv.  This page explains train times, fares and how to buy tickets.

Update 2024 :  Trains to Ukraine are running in spite of the war, although for obvious reasons, non-essential travel to Ukraine is not generally advised, www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine .

Train times, fares & information

Useful country information

Which route to choose .

It's easy to travel from London to Lviv or Kyïv by train.  It takes just 2 nights, taking Eurostar & luxurious German ICE trains from London to Berlin on day 1, a EuroCity train from Berlin to Warsaw on day 2, then the comfortable Kyiv Express sleeper train from Warsaw to Kyïv overnight arriving on the morning of day 3.  Or you can travel by fast & comfortable daytime trains with overnight stops in Berlin & Krakow.  The journey is an adventure in itself.  Why not spend some time in Berlin, Warsaw or Krakow on the way?  All these routes are operating in 2024.

Option 1 , London to Kyiv & Odessa via Warsaw

This is the most time-effective option.  Departures are daily all year round except Christmas Day.  You get some time to see a bit of Warsaw, too!

London ► Kyiv & Odessa

Day 1, travel from London to Berlin using any of the options shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

Leave London St Pancras at 09:01 by Eurostar , change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 19:02.

Leave London St Pancras at 11:04 by Eurostar , change at Brussels Midi & Cologne Hbf onto high-speed ICE trains arriving Berlin Hbf 21:02.

Eurostar has a cafe-bar, ICE trains have a restaurant car, all these trains have power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.

Stay overnight in Berlin.   Top choice here is the InterCity Hotel Berlin Hbf (my favourite), only 200m from Berlin Hbf 's main entrance, relatively inexpensive with great reviews, or if you're in the money, the excellent 5-star Steigenberger Hotel just outside the station.  If you're on a budget, the cheaper 3-star Motel One Berlin-Hbf is behind the station or use www.hostelworld.com .  Of course, if you really want to push the boat out, the famous Hotel Adlon Kempinski Berlin is next to the Brandenburg Gate just 17 minutes walk away.

Alternatively, travel from London to Berlin using the European Sleeper as shown here , or the Brussels-Berlin Nightjet sleeper as shown here .

Day 2, travel from Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train , leaving Berlin Hbf at 09:52 and arriving Warsaw Centralna at 15:09.

The Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and meals.  Treat yourself to lunch in the restaurant car with a beer or two.

Alternatively, on Mondays-Saturdays you can take the early 05:51 Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity train arriving 11:15, which will give you an afternoon in Warsaw, see the Warsaw Centralna station & city information .  A left luggage office and lockers are available.

Warsaw's historic old town is a 20 minute walk from Warsaw Centralna - if you fancy a modest splurge, the celebrated Ufukiera restaurant ( www.ufukiera.pl ) is excellent and right on the square in the heart of Warsaw's old town.  The Palace of Culture (a wedding cake style Soviet skyscraper and distinctive Warsaw landmark, www.pkin.pl ) is right next to the station and has a viewing terrace on the 30th floor.

Transfer from Warsaw Centralna to Warsaw Wschodnia by taxi, tram or local train, see transfer information here .

Odessa & Kyiv ► London

The Kyiv Express has comfortable Ukrainian sleeping-cars with 3-berth compartments, you can book all three berths for single or double occupancy.  There may be a buffet car serving tea, coffee, beer and snacks, but it's a good idea to take your own supplies of food, water and wine or beer.  Around 4am, the train is shunted into the gauge-changing shed at Yagodin (the Ukrainian border point) and jacked up to have its wheels changed from Russian 5' gauge to standard European (4' 8½") gauge.  You remain in your sleeping-berth on board while this is done, an interesting experience.  See Tim Richards excellent blog entry about of the Kyiv Express .

Transfer from Warsaw Wschodnia to Warsaw Centralna by taxi, tram or local train, see transfer information here .

Day 2, travel from Warsaw to Berlin by EuroCity train , leaving Warsaw Centralna daily at 12:46 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 18:06.

Alternatively, daily except Saturdays there's a later EuroCity train leaving Warsaw Centralna at 16:45 and arriving Berlin Hbf at 22:06, giving you some time to explore Warsaw, see Warsaw Centralna station & city information .

The Warsaw-Berlin EuroCity trains are comfortable air-conditioned trains with a trolley refreshment service and a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks and full meals.  Treat yourself to a meal in the restaurant:  Three courses, a beer and a coffee only come to around €11.

Day 3, travel from Berlin to London using any service shown on the London to Germany page .  For example:

Leave Berlin Hbf at 06:56, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 15:57.

Leave Berlin Hbf at 08:56, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 17:47 (18:57 weekends).

Leave Berlin Hbf at 10:57, change at Cologne Hbf & Brussels Midi , arriving London St Pancras at 19:47.

Alternatively, travel from Berlin to London using the European Sleeper as shown here , or the Berlin-Brussels Nightjet sleeper as shown here .

How much does it cost?

How to buy tickets.

Step 1, book your London-Berlin tickets following the step by step instructions here .

Booking opens up to 6 months ahead .  You print your own ticket or can show it on your phone.

Polrail is a reliable and highly recommended Polish train ticketing agency.  They use the Polish ticketing system so can access all the berths in 1, 2 & 3-berth compartments with booking opening 60 days ahead .

Don't book at the last minute, this train often gets fully-booked 2-3 weeks ahead.

What's the journey like?

1. London to Brussels by Eurostar

Eurostar trains link London & Brussels in just 2 hours, travelling at up to 300 km/h (186 mph).  There are two bar cars, power sockets at all seats and free WiFi.  Standard Premier and Business Premier fares include a light meal with wine (or breakfast, on departures before 11:00).  There's a 30-minute minimum check-in as all border formalities are carried out before you board the train.  More about Eurostar & check-in procedure .  St Pancras station guide .  Brussels Midi station guide & short cut for changing trains in Brussels .

2. Brussels to Cologne by ICE3

Germany's superb ICEs have a bistro-restaurant car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi.  In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  50 minutes after leaving Brussels the ICE calls at Liège, where you can admire the impressive station designed by celebrity architect Santiago Calatrava.  As you approach Cologne Hbf you'll see the twin towers of Cologne Cathedral on the right, next to the station.  More about ICE3 trains .  Brussels Midi station guide .  Cologne Hbf station guide .

3. Cologne to Berlin by ICE2

ICE2 trains have a restaurant car, bar car, power sockets at all seats & free WiFi. In 1st class, bistro orders are taken at your seat.  Immediately after leaving Cologne Hbf , the train crosses the Hohenzollern bridge over the Rhine.  It passes through the industrial Ruhr via Wuppertal & Hamm.  After leaving Hannover, the train passes non-stop through Wolfsburg - look out for the original Volkswagen factory on the left, built in 1938.  The train then travels at up to 280 km/h (174 mph) on the high-speed line to Berlin Hbf , where it arrives at the low-level platforms.  More about ICE2 trains .  Cologne Hbf station guide .  Berlin Hbf station guide .

4. Berlin to Warsaw by EuroCity train

These comfortable air-conditioned trains have a restaurant car.  See the Berlin-Warsaw EuroCity page for more photos, tips & information .

5. Warsaw to Kyiv by Kyiv Express

The Kyiv Express has modernised Ukrainian sleeping-cars with 2-berth & 3-berth compartments.  All bedding is supplied, and washrooms and toilets are at the end of the corridor.  Berths convert to seats for daytime use.  A smartly-uniformed Ukrainian railways sleeper attendant travels with each car.  There's no dining-car, so take a picnic and your own supplies of wine or beer.  Photos courtesy of www.andybtravels.com .  See Tim Richards excellent blog entry about of the Kyiv Express .

Back to top

Option 2 , London to Lviv & Kyiv via Krakow

This route is often the most practical as there are plenty of seats and it usually has good availability, even when the direct sleeper trains from Warsaw, Vienna or Budapest to Ukraine are sold out (those sleepers often sell out within hours of reservations opening).  And if you use Regiojet between Krakow & Ukraine it can all easily be booked online.

London ► Lviv & Kyiv

Leave Krakow Glowny at 05:05, change at Przemysl (arrive 07:33, depart 09:35), arriving Lviv 12:27 & Kyiv 19:57.

Leave Krakow Glowny at 05:59, change at Przemysl (arrive 09:06, depart 09:35), arriving Lviv 12:27 & Kyiv 19:57.

Leave Krakow Glowny at 09:35, change at Przemysl (arrive 12:10, depart 13:45), arriving Lviv 17:24 & Kyiv 05:01.

Leave Krakow Glowny at 16:38, change at Przemysl (arrive 19:19, depart 20:28), arriving Lviv 00:05 & Odessa 12:55.

Leave Krakow Glowny at 19:15, change at Przemysl (arrive 22:04, depart 23:26), arriving Lviv 02:20 & Kyiv 09:58.

Kyiv & Lviv ► London

The easiest option is to use the integrated service run by private open-access operator Regiojet as they have an allocation of seats on Ukrainian Railways Kiev-Lviv-Przemysl Intercity train so can sell integrated tickets as one transaction:

Leave Kyiv at 12:06 or Lviv 19:25, change at Przemysl (arrive 20:20, depart 22:12) arriving Krakow Glowny 00:53.

Leave Odessa at 14:45 or Lviv 03:08, change at Przemysl (arrive 05:53, depart 07:16) arriving Krakow Glowny 09:50.

Leave Kyiv at 22:14 or Lviv 08:34, change at Przemysl (arrive 11:16, depart 11:57) arriving Krakow Glowny 14:58.

Leave Lviv at 13:06, change at Przemysl (arrive 15:21, depart 17:27) arriving Krakow Glowny 20:14.

Leave Kyiv at 12:06 or Lviv 19:25, change at Przemysl (arrive 20:20, depart 22:05), arriving Krakow Glowny 00:41.

The 12:06 Kyiv-Lviv-Przemysl is a comfortable air-conditioned Ukrainian Intercity (IC) train with 1st & 2nd class.  All other Lviv-Przemysl trains are Ukrainian sleeper trains, with platskartny, kupé 4-berth and (usually) 2-berth spalny vagon.

Przemysl-Krakow trains are comfortable air-conditioned Polish trains.  Times may vary.

To check times, first check the Ukrainian train at www.uz.gov.ua/en/passengers/timetable (to access it, you may need to set your VPN to a Ukrainian IP address).  Then check times for a suitable Polish connecting train at Polish Railways www.intercity.pl .

You travel from Krakow to Berlin on day 2, stay overnight in Berlin, then travel from Berlin to London on day 3.

London to Brussels by Eurostar starts at £52 one-way or £78 return in standard class, £97 one-way, £140 return standard premier (1st class).

Step 1, book from London to Krakow as shown on the London to Poland page .

Option 3, London to Lviv & Kyiv via Vienna

This is a convenient and comfortable option, but often sells out soon after reservations open.  It takes 2 nights.  See Ukrainian news report showing the new Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-car service .  There are just two or three direct Vienna-Kyiv sleeping-cars and they usually leave fully-booked.

Day 1, travel from Kyiv to Vienna by direct sleeping-car, leaving Kyiv at 13:25 & Lviv at 20:12 every day, arriving Vienna Hbf 11:21 next day.

The sleeping-car has 1, 2 & 3 bed compartments with washbasin, see the photos below.  At Chop on the border with Hungary the through sleeping-car is jacked up to have it's wheelsets changed from Russian gauge used in Ukraine (5') to European standard gauge (4'8½").  A restaurant car operates between Zahony (on the Ukrainian border just after Chop) and Vienna, treat yourself to breakfast.

Vienna to Kyiv costs €80.50 in a 3-berth sleeper, €90.50 in a 2-berth sleeper or €152.90 in a single sleeper.

Vienna to Kyiv costs around €138 in a 3-berth sleeper €149 in a 2-berth sleeper, or €241 in a single-berth sleeper.

Step 2, book the train from Vienna to Lviv or Kyiv online at the Austrian Railways website www.oebb.at .

But be warned, these direct sleeping-cars usually sell out soon after booking opens.  Oebb will only book one-way or round trip starting in Vienna because tickets need to be collected from an ÖBB station in Austria.  They cannot be collected in Ukraine.  Booking this way you pay no fee or mark-up, just the official fare. 

If you have any problems or want a one-way ticket starting in Ukraine, you can also book the Vienna-Kyiv train via reliable agency www.polrail.com , with tickets posted or couriered to you for a small fee.  Polrail are based in Poland so charge in zlotys, but as they have access to Ukrainian ticketing system they are good for booking this train.  But as the train often sells out they may have difficulties securing places via this route.

Train travel in Ukraine

Classic Ukrainian sleeper trains offer the normal 'Russian' range of sleeping accommodation:

Whichever class of travel you choose, each coach is looked after by a pair of attendants called a provodnik (male) or provodnitsa (female).  The provodnik will check your ticket at the door to the sleeper when you board.  Shortly after departure, the provodnik will come round to take your ticket.  You may be asked if you would like a glass of black Ukrainian tea ('chai') - this costs about 10 Hyrvnia, about 30p/€0.35.  Bedding (two sheets, pillowcase and towel) is then handed out in sealed packs - blankets and mattresses will already be stacked in your compartment.  After a few journeys, you will become quite proficient at making up your bed!

A samovar with unlimited free hot water is available at the end of the corridor - pack some tea or coffee, sugar, cuppa soups or water-based drinking chocolate and bring your own mug.   Most long distance trains have a restaurant car serving drinks, snacks, and inexpensive full meals - reckon on less than £6 for two courses and a couple of bottles of beer.

There is no need to worry about security on Ukrainian trains, it's the way Ukrainians themselves travel, including families and women travelling alone.  Just use the same common sense that you would use anywhere, use the locks on your compartment door at night and don't leave valuables unattended.  In addition to the normal lock on the compartment door, spalny vagon and kupé compartments have a security latch which stops the door opening more than an inch or two, and which cannot be released from outside.  There's also a safe place for your bags at night - if you have a bottom bunk, there is a metal box underneath the bunk which you can only get to by lifting up the bunk - in other words, for anyone to get to your bags, they will have to shift you off your bunk first!

Fast InterCity+ trains

Fast air-conditioned day trains branded InterCity+ (IC+) now link a number of Ukrainian cities, in addition to the traditional overnight sleeper trains.  These InterCity+ trains have 1st & 2nd class and a bar counter.  For example:

To check train times use Omio.com (easy to use, small booking fee) which connects to UZ's ticketing system, or Ukrainian Railways website booking.uz.gov.ua/en .

Booking opens 45 days or now sometimes 60 days in advance for any journey within, or originating within, Ukraine.

It's now easy to buy tickets online, as shown below.  Alternatively, you can buy tickets in person at any Ukrainian railway station.  If your Ukrainian or Russian isn't up to scratch, write down your requirements, using the Cyrillic (Russian) script if you can.  Alternatively, to avoid the queues and any language hassles, you can book rail tickets through travel agencies, for example those located in the lobbies of certain major hotels.

Option 1, buy at Omio.com

Omio.com has a direct connection to UZ's ticketing system so can sell Ukrainian domestic train tickets in plain English with a small booking fee.  You may find this easiest to use this.

Option 2, buy at booking.uz.gov.ua/en

You can book Ukrainian train tickets direct from Ukrainian Railways (UZ, www.uz.gov.ua ) at booking.uz.gov.ua/en .

Tip:   You may need to use a VPN set to a Ukrainian IP address, at the time I write this UZ have restricted access to their website to Ukrainian IP addresses.

It has a few quirky translations, but it's the cheapest way to buy tickets as there are minimal fees.  Remember that Kyiv in Ukrainian is Kyiv .  Suite / First-Class Sleeper means beds in 2-berth Spalny Vagon sleepers.  Coupe / Coach With Compartments means beds in 4-berth kupé sleepers.  Berth/Third-Class Sleeper means Platskartny open-plan bunks.  InterCity trains are clearly marked in the search results.

At the end of the booking you might get a print-at-home e-ticket for some trains which you can just print and board the train, or for other trains you might get a voucher which must be exchanged for a ticket at the station before departure, for example in Kyiv main station there's a collection counter at window 12, hall 4 in the old wing of the station, with a self-service collection machine installed there too. Just read the confirmation page carefully to see what you have to do once you have made your booking.

Several seat61 correspondents have successfully used this to book tickets, using UK or other non-Ukrainian credit cards.  Feedback if you use this service would be appreciated!

Kyiv station

Kyiv has one main central station, usually known as plain Kyiv, officially Kyiv Passazhyrsky , often abbreviated to Kyiv-Pas, see map showing location .  It's one big central station but it has two terminal buildings, one each side of the tracks.  The classic station building on the northern side of the tracks was built in 1949.  The terminal on the southern side (sometimes misleadingly referred to as Kyiv southern station) is a striking glass-and-steel building dating from 2002.  You'll find all the usual main station facilities at Kyiv-Pas.  The metro station for Kyiv-Pas is called Kyiv Vokzalna.

Ferries from Ukraine

Various ferries used to run between Istanbul and Odessa, appearing and disappearing.  Further feedback always appreciated!

Istanbul - Odessa ferry:   www.ukrferry.com

Sails twice a week between Istanbul (= Haydarpasa, on eastern side of the Bosphorus) and Odessa (= Chernomorsk, just south of the city), a 23 hour voyage across the Black Sea.

Departure from Odessa on Tuesdays & Fridays, usually evening.  Departure from Haydarpasa on Thursdays & Sundays, usually midday.  You can check this at www.ukrferry.com although it takes a bit of effort.  The English selector is top left.

The company is Ukrferry and the vessels are the Vilnius Seaways & Kaunas Seaways with a range of cabins available, fares from $90 with bunk in a shared 6-berth, deluxe private cabins also available.

This ferry is operating in 2017 and taking foot passengers, you can contact them to check the current status.  Feedback appreciated !

Traveller Silvan Wyss took this ferry in July 2017:

"I booked the ferry some weeks in advance and paid 2580 UAH (€85).  The online booking tool on www.ukrferry.com works quite smoothly and some moments after payment I had the confirmation in my spamfolder.  Foot passengers have to check-in in an office building some kilometres from the actual port in Chornomorsk and the time for that seems to be 2pm no matter when the ship actually leaves.  After some waiting me and around 15 fellow passengers were brought to the port by minibus.  Here I had to go through customs and passport checks which included some waiting in not very welcoming rooms without windows.  Finally at around 5pm I arrived in my cabin which I shared with another passenger, with the scheduled departure at 9pm.

During the 27 hour trip the restaurant served four meals without any choice, you just have to eat what they cook but this was perfectly OK. Apart from that there is a duty-free shop selling spirits and a bar selling drinks and some crisps at some times during the sailing. The cabin was nice with a small but very clean washroom.  All information aboard the ferry, whether written or spoken is in Russian only.  Foreigners sometimes really had to fight for some info in English.

While the actual cruise could be described as "boring", sailing through the Bosphorus late in the evening was very nice.  Turkish immigration was rather weird with some officers entering the ship and controlling the passports in the bar area.  After some more waiting time, foot passengers were then guided out of the ship and finally left alone in the middle of the desert of Haydarpasa port.  Not that nice at around 1am.  I decided to walk to Kadiköy, other travellers may prefer a taxi here.

Did I like it? - Well, yes. the journey itself was very nice.  However, all the procedures before and after are very time consuming with little or no information and medium friendly staff.  After all, it seems as if foot passengers are rather tolerated than actually welcome. Would I recommend it? - Yes!  To everyone who has the time and wants to experience something different.

Buy Lonely Planet Ukraine online at Amazon.co.uk

European rail timetable & maps.

Rail Map Europe is the map I recommend, covering all of Europe from Portugal in the west to Moscow & Istanbul in the east, Finland in the north to Sicily & Athens in the south.  Scenic routes & high-speed lines are highlighted.  See an extract from the map .  Buy online at www.europeanrailtimetable.eu (shipping worldwide) or at www.amazon.co.uk (UK addresses).

Hotels in Kyiv & Ukraine

In lviv:  the george hotel.

In Lviv, look no further than the classic & excellently-located George Hotel .  Wonderful - and cheap by western standards, doubles from £36.

For something upmarket and still inexpensive go for Lviv's Grand Hotel , also classic and well located, around £90 a double.

Backpacker hostels

www.hostelworld.com :  If you're on a tight budget, don't forget about backpacker hostels.  Hostelworld offers online booking of cheap private rooms or dorm beds in backpacker hostels in Copenhagen and most other European cities at rock-bottom prices.

Travel insurance & other tips

Always take out travel insurance.

You should take out travel insurance with at least £1m or preferably £5m medical cover from a reliable insurer.  It should cover trip cancellation and loss of cash & belongings up to a reasonable limit.  These days, check you're covered for covid-19-related issues, and use an insurer whose cover isn't invalidated by well-meant but excessive Foreign Office travel advice against non-essential travel. An annual policy is usually cheapest even for just 2 or 3 trips a year, I have an annual policy with Staysure.co.uk myself.  Don't expect travel insurance to bail you out of every missed connection, see the advice on missed connections here .  Here are some suggested insurers, I get a little commission if you buy through these links, feedback always welcome.

Get an eSIM with mobile data package

Don't rely on WiFi, download an eSIM with a European mobile data package and stay connected.  Most newer mobile phones can download a virtual SIM including iPhone 11 & later, see device compatibility list .  There's no need to buy a physical SIM card!  Maya.net is a reliable eSIM data retailer with a 4.5 out of 5 Trustpilot rating and a range of packages including unlimited data .

Get a Curve card for foreign travel

Most banks give you a poor exchange rate then add a foreign transaction fee on top.  A Curve MasterCard means no foreign transaction fees and gives you the mid-market exchange rate, at least up to a certain limit, £500 per month as I write this.  The money you spend on your Curve card goes straight onto one of your existing debit or credit cards.  And you can get a Curve card for free.

How it works:   1. Download the Curve app for iPhone or Android .  2. Enter your details & they'll send you a Curve MasterCard - they send to the UK and most European addresses.  3. Link your existing credit & debit cards to the app, you can link up to two cards with the free version of Curve, I link my normal debit card and my normal credit card.  4. Now use the Curve MasterCard to buy things online or in person or take cash from ATMs, exactly like a normal MasterCard. Curve does the currency conversion and puts the balance in your own currency onto whichever debit or credit card is currently selected in the Curve app.  You can even change your mind about which card it goes onto, within 14 days of the transaction.

I have a Curve Blue card myself, it means I can buy a coffee on a foreign station on a card without being stung by fees and lousy exchange rates, just by tapping the Curve card on their card reader.  The money goes through Curve to my normal debit card and is taken directly from my account (in fact I have the Curve card set up as payment card on Apple Pay on my iPhone, so can double-click my phone, let it do Face ID then tap the reader with the phone - even easier than getting a card out).  I get a little commission if you sign up to Curve, but I recommend it here because I think it's great.  See details, download the app and get a Curve card , they'll give you £5 cashback through that link.

Get a VPN for safe browsing.  Why you need a VPN

When travelling you may use free public WiFi which is often insecure.  A VPN encrypts your connection so it's always secure, even on unsecured WiFi.  It also means you can select the geographic location of the IP address you browse with, to get around geoblocking which a surprising number of websites apply.  See VPNs & why you need one explained .  ExpressVPN is a best buy with a 4.7 out of 5 Trustpilot ranking which I use myself - I've signed up as an ExpressVPN affiliate, and if you go with expressvpn.com using this link you should see a special deal, 3 months free with an annual subscription.  I also get some commission to help support this site.

Carry an Anker powerbank

Tickets, reservations, hotel bookings and Interrail or Eurail passes are often now held on your mobile phone.  You daren't let it run out of power, and you can't always rely on the phone's internal battery or on being near a power outlet.  I always carry an Anker powerbank which can recharge my phone several times over.  Buy from Amazon.co.uk or Buy from Amazon.com .

Touring cities?  Use hill walking shoes!

One of the best things I've done is swap my normal shoes for hill-walking shoes, in my case from Scarpa.  They're intended for hiking across the Pennines not wandering around Florence, but the support and cushioning for hiking works equally well when you're on your feet all day exploring foreign cities.  My feet used to give out first and limit my day, now the rest of me gives up before they do!

Back to home page

Blog Home Office in the media

https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2022/03/11/factsheet-home-office-visa-support-for-ukrainians/

Factsheet: Home Office visa support for Ukrainians

• The Home Office stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the people fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion.
• The generous Ukraine Family Scheme provides an immediate pathway for people from Ukraine with family already in the UK to come here.
• It is designed to allow as many as people as possible to come to the UK and gives them immediate access to the support they need.
• The Scheme was developed in close consultation with Ukrainian leaders and the diaspora community to ensure our measures respond directly to their needs and asks, and we will continue to work with them to make changes as necessary.
• Ukrainians with valid passports and who are eligible for the Scheme do not need to go to a Visa Application Centre to give their biometrics before they come to the UK.
• The Ukraine Extension Scheme, which will go live on 3 May, will give Ukrainians already in the UK on temporary visas, alongside their family members, three years’ leave and full access to work, study and public funds.
• We continue to keep our support under constant review and will adapt and develop the visa routes in place to ensure they keep pace with the rapidly shifting situation in Ukraine.

Eligibility

Family members of British nationals and those settled in the UK are eligible to come to here. This includes:

• Immediate family members (spouses, civil partners, partners, children under 18 and parents of children under 18)
• Grandparents
• Grandchildren
• Adult children
• Aunts and uncles
• Nieces and nephews

Visa requirements

The Ukraine Family Scheme is a fee-free visa route. There are no salary or language tests, but people will need to pass security checks.

How to apply with a valid passport

From Tuesday 15 March, valid Ukraine passport holders do not need to attend in-person Visa Application Centre appointments to submit fingerprints or facial verification when making applications under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

Once their application has been considered and the appropriate checks completed, they will receive direct notification that they are eligible for the scheme.

The majority of applications can be completed entirely online without attending a Visa Appointment Centre.

All applicants will still need to complete an online application form . Application forms must be completed for each family member, including one application per child.

Step-by-step guide

• Individual fills in the online application form
• Individual uploads scan of their passport
• Casework teams in the UK do appropriate biographical / security checks
• Individual receives email confirming permission to come to the UK, which they present to the transport carrier as authority to travel
• Border Force officers do any appropriate additional checks (e.g. safe guarding) on arrival and stamp their passport with six months’ leave to enter
• Individual visits a visa centre in the UK to give biometrics which finalises the grant of 36 months’ leave

How to apply without a valid passport

Applicants who hold identity cards and do not have a valid passport will still need to attend a VAC in person and provide their biometric information.

When applicants have completed an online form , they can book an appointment at any Visa Application Centre throughout Europe.

They should then attend their Visa Application Centre appointment, where they be required to submit their biometric information.

Once the visa application has been processed, we will contact applicants.

Applicants should remain in the location where they have submitted their application until they are contacted.

Leave to remain in the UK

• Those joining family in the UK through the Ukraine Family Scheme and people with temporary visas in the UK who apply to the Ukraine Extension Scheme will be granted leave for three years.
• Valid passport holders who have not attended a VAC will be granted six months leave to enter the UK outside the rules, enabling them to work, study and claim benefits immediately. Once they have submitted biometric data in the UK, they will have their leave extended to three years.

Ukraine Extension Scheme

• The Ukraine Extension Scheme will go live on 3 May and will be open to Ukrainians in the UK on temporary visas, including work, study, or visitor visas, alongside their family members, to apply for three years’ leave to remain in the UK.
• Any Ukrainian whose leave to remain in the UK expired between 1 January 2022 and the Ukraine Extension Scheme coming into effect will still qualify for three years’ leave.
• Ukrainians here as workers (including under the Seasonal Work route)
• Ukrainians here as students and graduates
• Ukrainians here as visitors
• Ukrainians here with leave under the family and private life routes
• Ukrainians here as the dependants of third country nationals in any route
• Ukrainians here with exempt status
• Ukrainians here who have been granted temporary leave to enter or remain outside the rules
• Ukrainians here with pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
• The non-Ukrainian dependants of Ukrainians in these cohorts, who would be granted leave in line.
• If you want information on the Ukraine Family Scheme, you should call the dedicated Home Office line +44 (0)808 164 8810 – select option 1.  This option is now available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• If you are a Ukrainian national in the UK and need assistance, please call the dedicated Home Office line  +44 (0)808 164 8810 – select option 1. This option is available 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
• Further advice can be found at:  Support for family members of British nationals in Ukraine, and Ukrainian nationals in Ukraine and the UK - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Myth buster:

Why don’t you just waive visas.

• We’ve already waived some of the normal requirements under this scheme, in order to help people forced to flee be reunited with their families in the UK as quickly as possible.
• Security and identity checks are a fundamental part of our visa process in order to keep people in this country safe, and this is consistent with our approach to the evacuation of Afghanistan.
• That is vital both to keep British citizens safe, but also to ensure that we are helping those in genuine need – as the Minister set out, we are already seeing people presenting false documents claiming to be Ukrainians.

Can’t you just do biometric checks on the street? Why do you need to go to the VAC?

• We take biometrics in secure VACs for the safety and security of our customers and staff, and to ensure sensitive data captured on our biometrics equipment is secure.

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Comments and moderation

UK to allow Ukrainians easier entry after outcry

Ukrainians will be able to complete visa process in the UK rather than wait abroad after government reversal.

The United Kingdom will next week streamline a system to allow Ukrainians to enter the country, its interior minister has said, after an outcry over a requirement for people fleeing Russia’s invasion to get biometric tests before being allowed in.

The Conservative government has repeatedly said it is being “generous” to Ukrainians who want to come to the UK by offering two routes, but critics have said ministers are prioritising bureaucracy over the welfare of those fleeing war.

Keep reading

Russia’s invasion of ukraine: list of key events from day 15, half of kyiv population has fled, says ukrainian capital’s mayor, more african students decry racism at ukrainian borders.

“From Tuesday, I can announce that Ukrainians with passports will no longer need to go to a Visa Application Centre to give their biometrics before they come to the UK,” Home Secretary Priti Patel told parliament on Thursday.

“Instead, once their application has been considered and appropriate checks completed, they will receive direct notification that they are eligible for the scheme and can come to the UK,” she said. The change in policy came on the advice of the security and intelligence services, Patel added.

“In short, Ukrainians with passports will be able to get permission to come here fully online from wherever they are and will be able to get a biometrics once in Britain.”

While households across Europe have taken in Ukrainian families forced to flee their homes, the UK has demanded they secure a visa first, with some refugees in the French port city of Calais being told to go to Paris or Brussels to apply.

The right-wing Daily Mail newspaper said the “shambolic” visa system required refugees to produce paperwork showing they had been living in Ukraine before January 1, and to have birth or marriage certificates to show links to Ukrainians living in the UK.

As a result, the UK has accepted far fewer Ukrainians than the likes of France and Germany , or Ukraine’s nearest neighbours, which have waived the need for visas.

By Wednesday, the UK had granted more than 950 visas to Ukrainians since the start of the war. By comparison, Poland, a neighbour of Ukraine, has taken in more than 1.2 million Ukrainians. Ireland has accepted 2,500.

• International edition
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‘It’s my duty to go’: the volunteers leaving the UK to help Ukraine

British, Ukrainian and other nationals prepare to fight the Russian invasion or provide humanitarian aid

• Russia-Ukraine crisis: live news

Some of the many British-based volunteers heading to fight in Ukraine say they are willing to die to protect the country from invading Russian forces.

“I’ve spent most of my life enjoying myself, so if I die tomorrow I’ve had a good life,” said one man, 57, who would only give the name Konch. He is planning to drive to Ukraine this week in a convoy of vehicles from the UK.

Konch, a security contractor who grew up in the Midlands, added: “A lot of the other guys I’m going with are ex-forces, but there some that have never fired a water pistol in their lives. Anyone with half an ounce of integrity can’t help feel moved by what’s happening. If Ukrainians are willing to stand up and fight, then so can we.”

Vincent Barnett, 54, from Leicester, fought in Afghanistan and is under no illusions about the dangers of going. “It’s a one-way trip, but I’m prepared for that. I just need to sort out my finances first,” he said.

The senior bus mechanic added: “My wife doesn’t want me to go, but I’m so passionate about it. I just feel sorry for those people who haven’t got the fighting skills of people who have served. I watch it every day on the news.

“I’ve made my decision, I want to go, and if someone sponsored me I’d go tomorrow. My daughter thinks I’m a nutter.”

But for a Ukrainian lorry driver, Petro Symchych, 48, volunteering to fight is a “duty to our homeland”. He was speaking outside the Ukrainian social club in London before heading off in a car laden with donated supplies. He insisted he was not scared despite the overwhelming military might of the Russians. “Sooner or later we all die,” he said.

Symchych has been reassured by defiant video messages posted by Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy. “At the beginning I wasn’t sure we could trust him, but his videos mean we have started to trust him and he’s proved himself by his actions.”

Symchych is travelling with Viadmir Bucoros, 44, a friend from his home town of Kolomya in western Ukraine. Bucoros, who has been working as a welder in London, said: “You can’t sit still and not do anything. Even British guys are helping, so as a Ukrainian it is my duty to go back and defend my homeland.”

Bucoros, a keen hunter, added: “I’m a good sniper.” He said his 20-year-old daughter was also keen to return to Ukraine and join up with a paramedic group. But he added: “She should stay and finish her education, otherwise she would be coming with me.”

Symchych and Bucoros are just two of the dozens of British-based Ukrainians being supported by the Ukrainian social club. The venue in Holland Park usually hosts social gatherings for the Ukrainian diaspora and Saturday language classes for their children, and has now become a makeshift supply depot.

“We are supplying them with rucksacks, body armour, helps and first aid kits,” said Iryna Estevez, 39, who has turned her skills as a travel company director to arranging journeys for volunteer fighters. “There are over 50 people on the list of people going this week,” she added. They include Anzhela Razina, 47, a former female athletics champion who has been working in the UK as an electrician. She is returning to Ukraine with a group of 10 on flight via Poland on Monday. “When you see your family needing help you have to go and help. I will try to fight if I can,” she said.

Not everyone travelling from the UK was going to fight. Tom Dutton, 42, who runs a carpet business in Morecambe, was planning to drive a borrowed van filled medical aid in the next two weeks. Once he arrives he plans to help as many people as he can to leave the country. Dutton, who spent time in the navy, said: “I’m not going to fight, but I will if I have to – I just want to help get as many people as I can.”

Dutton said he made the decision to go after watching news footage of a young girl in Ukraine crying for help. “She was a similar daughter’s age and you could just see the fear in her eyes. I never cry but I was bawling my eyes out and I just messaged my missus to say: ‘I’m going to Ukraine.’”

Others are raising money online, including James Fern, 38, an ex-army medic who runs a medical support company and says he plans to drive a donated ambulance from London to Ukraine. He plans to arrive by the middle of next week.

“It just something I do,” he said. “I’m on autopilot right now. I imagine I’ll be staying there and assisting with the administration.”

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UK Foreign Office marks 8 countries 'too dangerous' for British tourists, keeps India & Pakistan on list: Report

The new additions this year to the list of countries ’too dangerous’ for British tourists include Israel, Iran, Ukraine, Russia, and the Palestinian territories

The UK Foreign Office has added eight new countries to the list of places ’too dangerous’ for British tourists, according to a report.

With these additions, which include war-hit areas in the Middle East and Europe, the list now has 24 countries. Both India and Pakistan remain on the list.

The UK Foreign Office issues the list with the intention to ensure the safety of British travellers overseas. The guidance covers potential risks that travellers may face, such as crime, war, terrorism, disease, weather conditions, and natural disasters and lists places accordingly.

The Manchester Evening News in a report said that the eight new places added to the list this year are: Russia, Ukraine, Iran, Sudan, Lebanon, Israel, Belarus, and the Palestinian territories.

The inclusion of these countries comes as wars rage in their neighbourhood. While Ukraine and Russia are warring in Ukraine, the Palestinian enclave of Gaza Strip has been the site of a devastating war for over six months now. Following Iran’s repeated vows to punish Israel for the killing of a top general, the Middle East is also on the edge as US and Israeli assessments say that an Iranian attack is imminent.

The report says that the following countries remain on the blacklist: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Haiti, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Niger, North Korea, Somalia, Somaliland, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, and Yemen.

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Should the UK send troops to Ukraine?

Friday 12 April 2024 17:06, UK

Ex-armed forces minister James Heappey has told Sky's defence and security editor Deborah Haynes the UK should consider sending its forces to Ukraine to train troops.

On the Sky News Daily, host Tom Cheshire talks to her and Sky's military analyst Professor Michael Clarke about the interview with Mr Heappey, who stepped down from his role last month.

They assess the bleak situation in Ukraine and why the conflict is at a critical stage. They also discuss how prepared the UK would be if it faced a war in the near future.

👉 Listen above then tap here to follow the Sky News Daily wherever you get your podcasts 👈 Senior producer: Annie Joyce Editor: Wendy Parker

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• Entering and staying in the UK

Move to the UK if you’re coming from Ukraine

Check what you need to do before you travel to the UK and what to do after you arrive.

Before you travel to the UK

​​You need permission to enter the UK. Check which visa you can apply for .

Once your application has been processed, you’ll either get a visa or official letter of permission. You can use this to board a plane or other form of transport to the UK.

If you applied to be sponsored by the Scottish or Welsh government

If you apply for a visa under the Ukraine Sponsorship Scheme (also known as ‘Homes for Ukraine’), you can choose the Scottish or Welsh government as your sponsor.

If your application is successful, they’ll contact you to let you know where you’ll be staying. They’ll also help with things like getting a bank account, accessing benefits, finding work and registering with a doctor.

There’s more information about the help you can get if the Scottish government is your sponsor or if the Welsh government is your sponsor .

What happens at the UK border

When you arrive in the UK, show your visa or your permission letter and passport to a Border Force officer.

If you’re bringing money or belongings

You can bring most personal belongings into the UK without having to speak with a customs officer. Use the green channel marked ‘nothing to declare’.

You must speak with a customs officer if you’re bringing:

• a personal vehicle
• prohibited or restricted goods, for example controlled drugs or weapons
• £10,000 or more in cash (or €10,000 or more if you’re coming to Northern Ireland), or the equivalent in another currency

Check how to bring your own vehicle to the UK and what to speak with a customs officer about .

If you’re bringing a pet

If you want to bring your pet with you, it might need to go into quarantine when you arrive. Find out what you need to do if you bring a pet .

Travelling to where you’re staying

In England, Scotland and Wales, you can get free onward travel by train, bus, coach or light rail from the major airport or port you arrive at. To be eligible, you must travel within 48 hours of arriving in the UK.

You can get free train or bus travel in Northern Ireland within 7 days of arriving.

Getting financial help

You can apply for benefits to get financial support. To be eligible for benefits you might have to pass a ‘residence test’ if you have recently arrived in the UK . These tests mean you usually need to wait for an amount of time before you are eligible for benefits.

You will automatically pass the residence test if all of the following apply: 

• you were living in Ukraine immediately before 1 January 2022 
• you left Ukraine because of the Russian invasion
• it does not say ‘no public funds’ or ‘no recourse to public funds’ on your immigration documents

If you do not have a job, cannot work or are on a low income

You can apply for Universal Credit if you do not have a job, cannot work or you’re on a low income. This benefit is paid each month. The amount you get depends on things like if you have a child or need help with housing costs.

You can open a UK bank account to get your benefits payments. If you’re not able to open a UK bank account you can still get benefit payments by using the Payment Exception Service

Read more on setting up a bank account .

If you have children

You can apply for Child Benefit if you have one or more children in the UK with you. If successful, you’ll get £24 a week for your eldest or only child and £15.90 for each additional child.

You might also be able to get help to pay for childcare if your child is not in school yet. You can apply for a school place once your child is 4 years old.

If you’re aged 66 or over

You can apply for Pension Credit to get extra money each week.

There’s different guidance for getting Pension Credit if you’re in Northern Ireland .

If you have a Homes for Ukraine visa

You can get a one-off payment of £200 per person when you arrive in the UK if you have a Homes for Ukraine visa. To get this, contact the council where you live .

Getting your biometric residence permit ( BRP )

Your permission letter will tell you if you need to collect your biometric residence permit ( BRP ), and where to get it, when you arrive in the UK.

You need to get it within 10 days of arriving or by the expiry date on your visa, whichever is later.

A BRP is a card with your immigration status on it. You can use it to prove your right to study and claim any benefits you’re eligible for.

If you need to provide your biometric information

Your permission letter might say you need to provide your biometric information once you’re in the UK.

If it does, you need to do this within 6 months of arriving in the UK to get your BRP . This will allow you to stay for up to 3 years.

Fill in the online form to start the process of providing your biometric information .

Where you can live

You can live with family members, sponsors or in a property of your own.

If you want to live in a property of your own, you can search on property listings websites or go to local lettings agents. Find out about your rights and responsibilities if you rent a property .

Working in the UK

When you find a job with a UK employer you’ll need to prove your right to work . To use the online service you’ll need to have a BRP or a UK Visas and Immigration ( UKVI ) account.

You can show your employer the visa in your passport, if your passport has not expired, until you get your BRP .

If you do not have a passport and were given your visa on a form, you’ll need to get your BRP and use the online service.

Getting a National Insurance number

You might already have a National Insurance number if you applied for any benefits or have one on your BRP .

If you do not have one, you need to apply for a National Insurance number to work in the UK.

Help finding work

You can use the ‘Find a job’ service to search and apply for jobs .

If you claim benefits, there’s support to help you find work , such as training schemes and work experience.

Paying tax in the UK

If you’re employed, the tax you pay will usually be taken out of your salary automatically.

If you’re self-employed you may need to register for Self Assessment and send a tax return each year.

There are other reasons why you might need to send a tax return, such as if you have income from outside the UK. Check if you need to send a tax return .

If you’re taxed in the UK and Ukraine

You might get taxed in the UK and Ukraine for income that only needs to be taxed once. If this happens, you’ll usually be able to claim ‘double-taxation relief’.

You can check the guidance on:

• paying UK tax on your income from Ukraine
• paying Ukrainian tax on your UK income

Getting your child a school place

If you have children aged 4 to 16, you can apply for a school place. Contact the council where you live to find out which schools still have places and how to apply for an ‘in-year admission’.

Getting healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS)

You should register with an NHS doctor (known as a GP) for everyday health issues.

You can use the NHS for free, including NHS hospitals. You may be asked to show the stamp in your passport or BRP . You do not have to pay the immigration health surcharge.

Find out how to:

• register with a GP in England
• register with a GP in Scotland
• register with a GP in Northern Ireland

In Wales, find a GP surgery near you and ask them how to register.

Driving in the UK

You can use your Ukrainian driving licence for the first 12 months after you arrive. You’ll then need to exchange it for a British licence .

Check what requirements your vehicle needs to meet in the UK .

Find out more about living in the UK

If you want to find out more about life in the UK once you’ve arrived, there’s more detail in the welcome guide for people arriving from Ukraine .

Added information about when someone from Ukraine will automatically pass a residence test.

Change note: Removal of redundant 'Stay up to date' call out.

Added information on double-taxation relief to 'Paying tax in the UK'.

Added links to guidance about the Scottish and Welsh government sponsorship schemes. Updated 'Getting financial help' with more information on available benefits.

Added translation

In 'When you first arrive in the UK': added a link to free travel information for those arriving in Northern Ireland, and updated information about collecting a BRP. In 'Getting healthcare from the National Health Service (NHS)': added links to information on registering with a GP in each devolved administration.

Updated the title to reflect that users may be coming from Ukraine but not be Ukrainian nationals. Updated 'If you have children' with information about applying for 'in-year' school places, and the updated child benefit figures for 2022/23.

Added Ukrainian translation

First published.

Invasion of Ukraine

• UK visa support for Ukrainian nationals
• Move to the UK if you're coming from Ukraine
• Homes for Ukraine: record your interest
• Find out about the UK’s response

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