Travel to Ukraine 2025: how to come to Ukraine as a tourist? Rules and safe cities

Traveling to Ukraine in 2025 means security issues, entry rules, and some restrictions and warnings. Nevertheless, despite the hostilities, the country remains open to tourists, and many regions continue to welcome visitors, offering them a rich cultural, historical, and simply life experience. Find out about the current rules of stay in Ukraine and its safe cities to ensure that your trip to this country leaves only positive memories

Take care of reliable insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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The war in Ukraine has affected many aspects of the country's life, but specific cities remain safe and open to tourists.

We're going to tell you about the best and safest Ukrainian cities for tourists to visit, as well as the rules of entry and general security issues to ensure that your visit to Ukraine goes smoothly.

Earlier, we wrote about how to avoid risks in Ukraine and make your trip as safe as possible.

What countries can I enter Ukraine from without a visa?

Ukraine has a visa-free regime with citizens of more than 90 countries. Among them: the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, Japan and others. But how long can you stay in Ukraine without a visa? Citizens of these countries can enter Ukraine and stay on Ukrainian territory without a visa for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

However, before travelling, tourists should check the current conditions for entering Ukraine and familiarise themselves with the restrictions, as the rules may change during the war.

The ‘90 days within 180’ rule applies to citizens of most countries, and if a tourist wishes to stay in Ukraine longer, he or she must apply for an extension of stay or apply for another category of visa.

If you have any non-standard situation - problems with documents, the need to legalise your stay, or unforeseen legal difficulties - contact the professional migration lawyers of Visit UKraine. They will help you resolve any issue related to your stay in Ukraine.

What is the best way to travel to Ukraine in 2025?

Due to the fact that air traffic with Ukraine has been suspended due to the war, the only option for travellers to get to Ukraine is by land. And there is a clear answer to the question ‘Is it possible to fly to Kyiv?’ - in 2025, it will not be possible. All domestic and international flights to Kyiv or other Ukrainian cities are currently not being operated.

This wording also answers the question of foreigners ‘Is Kyiv Airport open?’: Neither Boryspil International Airport nor Kyiv Airport (Zhulyany) are open due to the risks associated with the hostilities and the constant threat of air strikes. The airports may be reopened only after the situation at the frontline stabilises and the war ends. Therefore, travellers should choose other means of travelling to Ukraine.

The safest and most convenient way is by rail with Poland. Trains from Przemyśl to Lviv or Kyiv run regularly and are a reliable, proven option for entering Ukraine.

You can also use bus routes connecting Ukraine with Poland, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia and Moldova.

How to get to Kyiv by train from abroad in 2025  is described here.

Road transport also remains available, but you need to take into account possible queues at the border and take care of the correct car insurance in advance to enter Ukraine.

Find out what insurance you need to drive a car to Ukraine here.

Is it safe to travel to Ukraine in 2025?

Military operations are ongoing in Ukraine, so planning any trip to this country requires an adequate risk assessment, and there are risks and we cannot ignore them. The Government of Ukraine regularly updates recommendations on the rules of safe stay in Ukraine, provides up-to-date information on the safest regions of Ukraine and on safe places in dangerous regions. These are all the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, including Kharkiv, Sumy, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, Zaporizhzhia and Odesa regions. These regions are either actively engaged in hostilities or are under constant Russian shelling. In contrast, the western, central and some northern regions of Ukraine are relatively safe for tourists.

On Visit Ukraine, you can book a hotel room for a comfortable stay in Ukraine in just a few minutes.

Which cities in Ukraine are safe now?

The safest cities to visit in 2025 are those in western Ukraine: Lviv, Uzhhorod, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chernivtsi, Rivne, Zhytomyr, Lutsk, Ternopil. Cities in central Ukraine, such as Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi, are also considered relatively safe. These cities are almost 1,000 kilometres away from the frontline, there are no active hostilities nearby, but sometimes air raids can occur here as well, as Russian missiles and drones can reach any part of Ukraine. At the same time, the overall situation in the listed cities of Ukraine remains stable and relatively safe, as millions of Ukrainian families live here and support the Ukrainian economy with their activities.

Thus, travelling around Ukraine in 2025 is possible, but it is worth closely monitoring the situation, choosing safe routes and following the recommendations of local authorities. Western cities remain the most attractive for tourists, while Kyiv and the central regions require extra caution.

Important! Due to the martial law in Ukraine, a curfew is in effect, which should be kept in mind, especially at night.

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How safe is it in Kyiv now?

As the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv is under regular threat of rocket attacks, but the city remains functional and open to residents and visitors. Thanks to Ukraine's air defence forces and the local Kyiv administration, the capital is doing everything possible to ensure the safety of people: an air raid warning system is in place, shelters are open, and citizens follow safety rules.

At the same time, tourists who decide to visit the capital of Ukraine should be prepared for sometimes extreme conditions and plan their trips according to the current situation.

Is it possible to visit Lviv in 2025?

Lviv remains a popular tourist destination and is considered a fairly comfortable city to live in, despite the military realities of Ukraine. A cultural capital known for its historic architecture, iconic coffee shops and beer pubs, a city with a European ‘mood’, Lviv allows foreigners to feel quite safe and secure here. In 2025, Lviv is one of the safest Ukrainian cities to travel to, but the threat of rocket attacks exists throughout Ukraine. The local authorities, together with the Ukrainian Air Defence Forces, are taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of residents and visitors, but it always makes sense to take care of your own safety when visiting Lviv, including by contacting insurers.

Therefore, answering the popular question of foreigners ‘Is Lviv safe to visit’, the answer should be given in the context of Russian military aggression against Ukraine and individual conditions of stay in this Ukrainian city. At the same time, there are shelters in Lviv, residents follow the rules of conduct during air raids, and special booklets with a map of bomb shelters from the local authorities printed in English help tourists, who are always in Lviv, to learn about safety rules. At the same time, Lviv's tourist infrastructure is operating at full capacity: restaurants, hotels, museums and cafes welcome visitors every day.

The Visit Ukraine portal offers a large number of interesting tours around Ukraine. From exploring city routes to discovering the most hidden corners of the Carpathians, every traveller will find a tour to their liking.

What can you see in safe cities in Ukraine?

Historically and geographically, the western cities of Ukraine are the most touristy, so there is always something to see in them.

- Lviv. It has been said and done about this Ukrainian city, but it continues to attract tourists with its exquisite architecture, museums, cafes and historical sites, of which there are many in Lviv. Popular tourist spots include Rynok Square, the Opera House, the High Castle, and numerous churches and cathedrals.

- Ivano-Frankivsk. This city is deservedly called the ‘Gateway to the Carpathians’, so it is often chosen as a ‘temporary base’ for mountain hiking. In the city, you can admire the unusual architecture, explore the central square, the city hall and stroll through numerous parks.

- Ternopil. Known for its beautiful pond, friendly people, and ancient architecture, including Ternopil Castle and the Church of the Nativity, which are popular with tourists.

When planning a trip to Ukraine in 2025, it is important not only to choose safe cities, but also to ensure that you have reliable insurance financial protection. The war adds an element of risk to any trip, so regular travel insurance may not cover all possible threats. Visit Ukraine offers a special insurance policy covering military risks, the terms of which include circumstances that may arise in the event of active or passive hostilities on the territory of Ukraine.

Take out reliable health insurance on the Visit Ukraine portal!

Just a reminder. Ukraine in spring is a vivid palette of impressions, from the ancient streets of Lviv to the mountainous landscapes of the Carpathians. During this period, the country is especially attractive for foreigners seeking authenticity, emotions and new discoveries. Read here to find out what places foreigners should visit in spring .

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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

Visit Ukraine Insurance – insurance covering military risks for entry and travel in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Car Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Legal Advice – comprehensive legal support on entry to Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Tickets – bus and train tickets to/from Ukraine;

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

Visit Ukraine Hotels – hotels for a comfortable stay in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Merch – patriotic clothing and accessories with worldwide delivery.

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