Kyiv plans to increase public transport fares: what tourists need to know

The cost of a single journey in Kyiv is set to rise to 30 hryvnias. However, unlimited smart travel cards valid for 24, 48 and 72 hours are being introduced for visitors to the city. Find out how to save on travel costs and when the new fares will come into effect

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Kyiv is preparing for a major overhaul of public transport fares. The city authorities are proposing to set the basic fare for a single journey on city buses, trams, trolleybuses, the funicular and the metro at 30 hryvnias. For travellers and visitors to the capital, this change will be a key factor when planning their travel budget. However, the city is introducing flexible measures that will allow tourists and local residents to significantly optimise their transport costs.

Why are fares in Kyiv rising and what is the real cost of a journey?

According to data from the Kyiv City State Administration’s Department of Economy and Investment, transport fares in the capital have remained unchanged since 2018. Over this period, the cost of transport has risen significantly. Current prices no longer cover the actual costs of transport companies, which have increased due to rising electricity and fuel prices, the need to raise staff wages, and infrastructure maintenance costs. A further factor has been a noticeable decline in passenger numbers.

Economic calculations show that a reasonable fare for 2026 is 64.60 hryvnia for a single metro journey and 44.14 hryvnia for ground transport. Thus, setting the fare at 30 hryvnia is a compromise solution that keeps Kyiv’s transport among the most affordable in Ukraine’s major cities.

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How much will travel cost in Kyiv

If you have to pay 30 hryvnias for a single journey, regular use of transport can save you money thanks to a tiered discount system when topping up your travel card. The minimum cost will be 25 hryvnias for a one-off purchase of 50 journeys. When purchasing between 10 and 19 journeys, the price will be 28.90 hryvnias, whilst a package of 30–39 journeys will reduce the cost to 26.60 hryvnias per journey.

For those planning to use public transport regularly, monthly travel passes are available, with an average cost per journey of around 23.3–23.6 hryvnia. A monthly pass for 46 journeys will cost 1,088 hryvnias, for 62 journeys — 1,463 hryvnias, and for 124 journeys — 2,888 hryvnias. An unlimited monthly pass for all types of public transport will cost 4,875 hryvnias. Students will be able to buy travel passes at half price, whilst schoolchildren travel free of charge during the academic year and at 25% of the cost during the summer holidays.

Travel passes in Kyiv for tourists and transfer tickets

The most convenient option for short-term visitors to the capital will be special unlimited tourist tickets valid for a specific period. A 24-hour travel pass will cost 375 hryvnias, a 48-hour ticket will cost 563 hryvnias, and a 72-hour unlimited pass will cost 750 hryvnias.

In addition, to optimise complex routes, there are plans to introduce a transfer ticket costing 60 hryvnias. This will allow tourists to make an unlimited number of transfers between the metro and surface transport within 90 minutes.

When will fares in Kyiv increase and what to do with old travel passes

The official introduction of the new fares is scheduled for 15 July 2026, following the completion of regulatory procedures and public consultations. Kyiv residents and visitors to the city can submit their suggestions regarding the draft order by 1 June 2026 via the forum.kyivcity.gov.ua platform.

An important point concerns journeys already purchased: if you top up your travel card by 14 July 2026 at the old fare, all journeys will remain valid. You will be able to use them until 14 September 2026 without any additional charges.

If you want to ensure your safety in Ukraine, there is an important point to bear in mind: standard international travel insurance policies often do not apply in wartime. Most foreign insurance companies classify any events that are even indirectly linked to military operations as force majeure.

To feel safe and be confident that you will receive assistance in any situation, we recommend taking out a policy covering military risks on the Visit Ukraine portal.

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