When Is the Best Time to Cross the Border from Ukraine: Tips from the Border Guard Service

Passenger traffic at Ukraine’s borders surged sharply in the summer of 2026 — up to 136,000 crossings per day were recorded on weekends. Find out when the lines at the border are shortest and how to avoid long waits

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Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, offered practical advice on the Kyiv24 TV channel for those planning to travel abroad: the shortest lines are in the morning on weekdays.

“On weekdays in the morning, there are practically no lines; only a few checkpoints may have several dozen vehicles waiting to exit, but most have no line at all. Closer to lunchtime and in the evening, passenger traffic increases,” he noted.

Read also: Will you need insurance to leave Ukraine in 2026?

Where are the longest lines?

Traditionally, the heaviest traffic is at the border with Poland — it accounts for 50% of all passenger traffic, and that’s where the longest lines are recorded. The share of traffic at the border with Moldova is about 20%.

Demchenko has observed growing lines not only at the Polish border. An increase in passenger traffic is also noticeable at the border with Hungary — specifically, at the “Tisa” and “Luzhanka” checkpoints.

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How many people cross the border per day?

On weekdays last week, between 113,000 and 118,000 people crossed the border daily. The numbers were significantly higher on the weekend: 130,000 crossings were recorded on Saturday, June 20, and 136,000 on Sunday, June 21 the highest figure for the entire month of June. At the same time, the vast majority of crossings were people leaving Ukraine.

The load on bus services has also increased significantly. While 350–400 buses crossed the border daily in the spring, this figure reached 580 trips per day on weekends in June.

How to avoid the lines?

The Border Guard Service acknowledges that it is impossible to accurately predict the volume of traffic at a specific border crossing a week or even a few days in advance. That is why the State Border Guard Service strongly advises travelers to check crossing congestion immediately before departure. Data on official websites is updated every three hours.

The best strategy for those who want to minimize wait times is to travel on a weekday morning, avoid Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, and keep a page open with up-to-date information on wait times. If you plan to travel in your own car, make sure to obtain a Green Card in advance — the insurance takes effect the day after you apply. You can apply for it online without waiting in line or any extra hassle through Visit Ukraine.

We remind you! Crossing the Ukrainian border involves a specific sequence of steps that you should be familiar with before your trip. Read about the document check and customs procedures, what questions border guards might ask, and how to avoid delays.

Photo: dpsu.gov.ua

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