Anyone can get from Hungary to Ukraine. However, the lack of air service reduces the number of possible ways to get to the country. However, the land borders of the state are open, so we have prepared routes to enter Ukraine from Hungary

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During the period of the full-scale invasion, about 2 million Ukrainians left for Hungary. A certain number of people traveled through the country in transit, but many refugees were granted temporary protection in the country. In March 2023, following the EU's decision, Hungary also extended the validity of residence permits for refugees from Ukraine until March 4, 2024. 

However, many Ukrainians living in Hungary are planning a temporary trip to Ukraine to visit relatives, pack their belongings, and complete paperwork. Certain categories of foreigners are also considering a trip to Ukraine. 

How do I get from Hungary to Ukraine? What documents do you need to have in order to return without any problems? Read on.

Read more about visa rules and obtaining a visa to Ukraine for Hungarian citizens here.

It should be noted that over 72 thousand tourists from Hungary visited Ukraine in the first half of 2023.

How do I get from Hungary to Ukraine?

Ukraine shares a common border with Hungary, so you can get there by bus, train, or car. There are 5 automobile checkpoints on the border:

- Tisa (Chop) is a car border crossing point, crossing is possible in both directions. It operates around the clock. It is one of the busiest checkpoints between Hungary and Ukraine. 

- Dzvinkove is a car and pedestrian crossing point, crossing is possible in both directions. Please note that the checkpoint is open from 8 to 19 hours. 

- Kosyno is a checkpoint for cars and pedestrians only, crossing is possible in both directions. Please note that the checkpoint is open from 8 to 20 hours.  

- Luzhanka is a car and pedestrian crossing point, crossing is possible in both directions, open around the clock. 

- Vylok is a car and pedestrian crossing point, crossing is possible in both directions, it is open around the clock. 

• By bus

The easiest way to get to Hungary, of course, is by bus. Buses run quite often, you just need to check which buses run from the point you need (direct or with transfers) and buy a ticket. 

You can book a ticket on one of the websites of Infobus, Busfor, or directly on the Visit Ukraine website.

• By car

You can cross the border in your own car or use the popular ride-hailing service BlaBlacar. The service is convenient because you can find the trip you need at any time, choose the time and place of boarding the car that is convenient for you. BlaBlacar checks people who offer rides (you can also read and leave reviews about drivers), and you can both book and cancel a reservation by informing the driver in advance. 

• By train

The railway connection between Hungary and Ukraine is quite developed. There are 12 trains running between the countries, one of which departs from Kyiv, the rest from Zakarpattia.

- No. 34 Budapest-Mukachevo. The morning train departs from Budapest Nyugati station at 07.23 and arrives at Mukachevo station at 15.30 local time. The train stops at 12 stops along the way. The train route passes through the stations Zuglo, Kebánya Kiszpest, Ferihegy (Airport), Cegled, Solnok, Püsteklájdan, Hajdúszoboszló, Debrecen, Nyiregyhaza, Kisvárda, Záhony, Chop. The train runs daily.

- No. 31 Mukachevo - Budapest, daily from Mukachevo at 16:30, Chop at 17:40/18:15, Ferihegy (airport) at 22:14/22:15, Budapest-Nyugati at 22:37.

- No. 140 Vienna - Záhony - Chop and No. 149 Chop - Záhony - Vienna. These flights are daily, with an instant connection in Záhony. Departure from Vienna is at 16:42, arrival in Chop is at 02:28 (with the possibility of a convenient transfer to 749/750 to Kyiv). Returning from Chop at 03:28 (also conveniently from train 749/750), arriving in Vienna at 11:21.

- No. 6280/6281 Zachon - Chop - Zachon, daily departure from Zachon at 03:42, arrival in Chop at 05:00, return from Chop at 05:29, arrival in Zachon at 04:47.

- No. 6282/6283 Záhony - Chop - Záhony, daily departure from Záhony at 06:34, arrival in Chop at 07:52, return from Chop at 08:22, arrival in Záhony at 07:40.

- No. 6284 Debrecen - Mukachevo, daily departure from Debrecen at 05:58 via Nyiregyhaza and Kisvárda, arrival in Chop at 09:53, arrival in Mukachevo at 11:33.

- No. 6285 Chop - Záhony, daily departure from Chop at 10:25, arrival in Záhony at 09:43.

- No. 6286/6287 Zahony - Chop - Zahony, daily departure from Zahony at 14:24, arrival Chop at 15:42, return from Chop at 16:12, arrival Zahony at 15:30.

- No. 6288/6289 Zahony - Chop - Zahony, daily departure from Zahony at 18:37, arrival Chop at 19:55, return from Chop at 20:25, arrival Zahony at 19:43.

- No. 6290/6291 Zahony - Chop - Zahony, departure from Zahony at 20:41, arrival in Chop at 21:59, return from Chop at 22:29, arrival in Zahony at 21:47 daily.

- No. 749/140 Kyiv - Vienna. Departure from Kyiv at 13:16, arrival in Budapest at 08:53. In the opposite direction, departure from Budapest is at 19:04, arrival in Kyiv - 18:30. The train also stops in Lviv. 

Tickets to Hungary are sold only through the ticket office.

Also, on April 24, a new daily non-stop carriage "Vienna - Chop - Vienna" will start running, which will also stop in Budapest. 

- It will depart from Vienna daily at 16:42, Budapest-Keleti 19:19 - 19:40, arriving in Chop at 02:28. After passing the border and customs control, continue your journey by train #750 Uzhhorod - Kyiv, arriving in Chop at 05:19, Mukachevo 06:48 - 06:53, Lviv 11:00 - 11:23, arriving in Kyiv at 18:30.

The ticket price from Chop to Vienna is 1730 UAH, tickets are already available at the international ticket offices of Ukrzaliznytsia.

Is it possible to temporarily travel from Hungary to Ukraine?

Ukrainians who have been granted temporary protection status in Hungary have the right to travel to Ukraine without hindrance. Before leaving, make sure that your residence permit is still valid and, if necessary, apply for an extension. You can stay in Ukraine for up to 6 months. Your temporary protection status will not be canceled. Upon your return, you will continue to be entitled to the same benefits.

However, if you live in social housing, receive financial assistance, etc., we recommend that you notify the social authorities of your temporary absence before traveling. 

The rules for entering Ukraine for Ukrainians and foreigners can be found here.

We recommend purchasing it for a safe and comfortable trip to Ukraine: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - safe travel in Ukraine (insurance covering military risks);

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tours - the largest online database of tours to Ukraine for every taste;

Visit Ukraine Hotels - book hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch - choose patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

Cooperation - cooperation and advertising integrations with Visit Ukraine and Visit World projects.