How to get to Ukraine from Latvia: convenient routes by car or plane + train/bus
The absence of air travel reduces the options for getting to Ukraine. But the country's land borders are open, so we have prepared routes to enter Ukraine from Latvia
Latvia, like other Baltic states, actively supports Ukraine in its struggle against the occupier. The courage and heroism of Ukrainians impress Latvians, so many people go to the country as a tourist to get acquainted with the culture and history of Ukraine or to engage in volunteer activities.
The airspace in Ukraine is closed, this fact significantly complicates the journey to the country. However, ground checkpoints are operating as usual.
How to get to Ukraine from Latvia? Read about convenient routes to the main tourist gems and the rules for crossing the border in our material.
It should be noted that in the first half of 2023, more than 5 thousand tourists from Latvia visited Ukraine.
Travel route from Latvia to Ukraine
Most foreigners prefer to travel by plane, so the most convenient and fastest way to get to Ukraine is to fly to one of the airports in Europe, which is located near the Ukrainian border, and from there continue the journey by train or bus.
Among the European countries, Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova, many of these countries can be reached by plane:
Flight to the Ukrainian border
● Latvia – Poland
There are not many direct flights from Latvia to Poland. The Ryanair airline operates a Riga-Warsaw flight. The price of the ticket starts from 18 euros. Travel time – 1 hour 20 minutes. You can also fly to Gdansk from Riga, but this city is located quite far from the Ukrainian border.
● Latvia – Moldova
You can fly to Chisinau from Latvia, but the travel route will include a transfer in Milan. The travel time is from 8 hours, the approximate cost of the ticket is 150 euros.
● Latvia – Slovakia.
From Riga, you can fly to Košice and Bratislava with a transfer in Prague, Brussels or another European city. The travel time is from 4 hours, the approximate cost of the ticket is 100 euros.
● Latvia – Hungary
The Riga-Budapest flight from airBaltic departs from the Latvian airport at 12:45 and arrives in Budapest at 13:40. Ticket price from 80 euros. It is also possible to plan a trip with a transfer in Berlin.
● Latvia – Romania
Direct flights to Bucharest are also operated by airBaltic, the duration of the trip is 2 hours 30 minutes, the price of the ticket is from 120 euros.
After arriving in one of the European cities, the journey to Ukraine will continue by land transport - by train or bus.
Railway connection Europe-Ukraine
Most of the tourists prefer the railway because of its speed and comfort. Ukraine is connected to European cities by the following trains:
● Poland - from Warsaw you can reach Kyiv, from Przemyśl - to Kyiv, Odesa and Zaporizhzhia, from Chelm - to Kyiv and Kharkiv.
● Hungary - there is a direct train from Budapest to Kyiv.
● Austria - a direct train goes from Vienna to Kyiv.
● Moldova - a direct train goes from Chisinau to Kyiv.
● Slovakia - from Kosice you can reach Chopa and Mukachevo.
See the link for a detailed schedule of trains running between Ukraine and European countries.
By bus from Latvia to Ukraine
The best way to get from Latvia to Ukraine without a car is by bus, the journey will take about 27 hours and will cost 65-95 euros. From Riga you can get to Kyiv, Chernivtsi, Khmelnytskyi, Ternopil and Lviv.
The bus departs from Riga Bus Station, Pragas iela 1.
Arrival in Kyiv: "Vydubychi" bus station, Naberezhno-Pecherska road, 10A.
Arrival in Lviv: central bus station "Lviv", address: str. Stryyska, 109.
Carriers offer comfortable passenger buses with a capacity of up to 90 seats. The bus cabin is equipped with soft seats, a toilet and an automatic climate control system, a large luggage compartment, Wi-Fi, which allows you to travel comfortably.
● How to buy a ticket from Latvia to Ukraine?
To make the trip easy and positive, you should choose reliable carriers. See the schedule and book plane, train or bus tickets using the link.
From Latvia to Ukraine by own car
The distance from the capital of Latvia - Riga to Lviv is 1150 km, and the duration of the trip in your own car - 13 hours without stops, to Kyiv is 1700 km and 19 hours on the road. The route will pass through Lithuania and Poland.
To enter Ukraine in your own car, you must have a "Green Card" insurance policy. You can read in detail about the rules of travel in Ukraine by car with foreign registration at the link.
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How can a Ukrainian leave Latvia without losing protection?
Anyone who has received the status of temporary protection and a corresponding residence permit in Latvia can travel to Ukraine without hindrance. Before leaving, make sure that your residence permit is still valid and, if necessary, apply for an extension.
The residence permit in Latvia is canceled for those Ukrainians who have been outside the country for more than 6 months.
You can also travel to EU countries on the basis of visa-free rules. For this, it is necessary to have a biometric passport and to stay in the territory of the Schengen zone for no more than 90 days during a 180-day period.
How can a citizen of Latvia enter Ukraine?
Citizens of Latvia have the right to enter Ukraine without a visa if the planned stay is less than 90 days, and the purpose of the trip is tourism, visiting relatives or other short-term trips. It is prohibited to work and study without a visa.
List of documents for visa-free entry to Ukraine:
● A foreign passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the date of entry into Ukraine.
● A document that will confirm the purpose of the trip to Ukraine – a tourist voucher, tickets to seminars, exhibitions, fairs, invitations from companies and organizations.
● Confirmation of residence – hotel reservations, apartment rental contracts, etc.
● Confirmation of sufficient funds for stay in Ukraine ($45 per person for each day of stay in Ukraine).
Importantly! When crossing the border, you no longer need to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 and wear a protective mask. As of July 1, all Covid-19 restrictions and quarantine measures have been canceled in Ukraine.
Rules for safe travel to Ukraine under martial law
When traveling in Ukraine under martial law, it is necessary to strictly observe safety rules. Useful information for entering Ukraine during the war at the link.
Also, when planning a trip to Ukraine, you should consider additional risks. Military risk insurance can cover losses in the event of an accident due to hostilities or acts of terrorism, outpatient treatment, hospitalization and emergency care. Read more about the benefits of the policy here.
Is it safe for foreign tourists to travel to Ukraine now? Read in detail in this article.
How to plan a trip to Ukraine from Latvia?
You should start planning a trip to Ukraine by looking for an interesting tour. The largest database of safe tours in Ukraine by link.
In order for the trip to be unforgettable and comfortable, it is important to prepare in advance the necessary arsenal of things that will ensure a trouble-free course of your trip to Ukraine. Find out what to take with you on a train or plane here. We also talked about the mistakes that tourists make when planning a trip in our article.
Ukraine has a very wide base of accommodation facilities. During vacation, a tourist can stay in a hotel with different stars, a hostel, rent an apartment or rest in a guest house. You can book accommodation using the link.
Legal support for citizens of Latvia in Ukraine
It is important to remember that certain rights of citizens may be restricted in the conditions of martial law, so in some cases foreigners may need the help of lawyers. Tourists from Latvia, who are in Ukraine, can seek advice from a highly qualified lawyer on various issues: support of a lawyer in Ukraine, advice on legal aspects of entering Ukraine, help with document preparation, etc.
Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in Ukraine
● Address: 6B Ivana Mazepy St., 01901, Kyiv, Ukraine
● Phone: +380 44 4907030 +380 44 4907037 (Consular/ Visa Department)
● Fax: +380 44 4907035
● Email: [email protected] [email protected] (Consular/ Visa Department).
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.
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The simultaneous stay of visitors in the hotel lobby not more than one person per 10 square meters of serviceable area is allowed.
Persons can visit hotels and stay there (outside hotel room) only if they wear respirator or face mask (including homemade mask), so that the nose and mouth are covered.
Hotel guests are obliged to keep the 1.5 meters distance.
Online check-in making in advance is recommended to avoid queues at check-in to hotel.
Meals in hotels are provided through meals delivery service to rooms upon prior order or at hotel restaurants situated inside or in open areas, provided the distance of at least 1.5 meters between seats at adjacent tables.
Not more than 4 clients are allowed to stay at the table (excluding children under 14 years old). Unless these tables are separated by a special partition;
Self-serve is not allowed.