Ukrzaliznytsia is launching new international direct flights to and from Ukraine. Find out where you can get to in a matter of hours, when to expect the start of ticket sales, and how to get a full refund for returning tickets

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Ukrzaliznytsia actively cooperates with foreign partners and plans to launch new international flights from Kyiv and Uzhhorod in the near future. We will tell you when Ukrainians and foreign tourists will be able to reach their destinations by direct flights.

As a reminder, VisitUkraine.Today offers tickets for buses, trains, and planes within Ukraine and between cities around the world. Read more about how this feature works here, or follow the link and buy tickets to the selected destinations.

Train service Ukraine - Germany

The Czech private company RegioJet in partnership with Ukrzaliznytsia plan to launch two direct trains connecting the Ukrainian capital with German cities in early 2024. The flights will run between Kyiv and Berlin, as well as between Kyiv and Hanover, via Leipzig and Dresden. This connection is more profitable for the carrier, as many more Ukrainians travel to Germany than to the Czech Republic.

In addition, the company is considering extending the Prague-Kosice (Slovakia) route via Ukrainian Chop as early as 2023. In the future, this train will be able to reach Mukachevo, as the company is ready to electrify this section of the route. There is also the possibility of connecting the Mostyska-2 station in the Lviv region with their regular trains.

Train from Ukraine to Prague

The Czech railroad company Gepardexpres plans to launch a direct train from Prague to Kyiv, which will run through Uzhhorod. Negotiations with Ukrzaliznytsia on the new route are already underway. Initially, two cars will run, but the company has the capacity to provide a full 12-car train.

Currently, the only way to get to Prague from Ukraine is to change trains in Przemysl, Poland.

Read more about Ukrzaliznytsia's innovations and women's compartments, which started running between Ukrainian cities on June 30, here.

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Returning tickets for Ukrzaliznytsia trains: how to get a full refund

According to the current rules, Ukrzaliznytsia refunds the money for purchased tickets in the following cases:

● If a passenger returns a train ticket no later than 24 hours before the departure, Ukrzaliznytsia refunds the full cost of the ticket and the reserved seat. However, it should be borne in mind that the refund service involves a commission fee. For example, in the mobile application, this amount will be 60 hryvnias.

● If the train ticket was returned 24-6 hours before the train departure, the passenger receives 50% of the cost of the reserved seat.

● If the ticket was returned less than 6 hours before the train departure, the passenger can only expect a refund of the ticket price.

*The cost of a reserved seat is a part of the fare that compensates the carrier's expenses for preparing the car for the trip and servicing it along the way. 

Please note that a ticket cannot be refunded less than an hour before the train departure in the Ukrzaliznytsia mobile application. Such a ticket can only be returned by filing a claim with the carrier.

The return of unused tickets after the train has departed (for passengers who were unable to travel for valid reasons, such as illness or accident) follows the same principle. The passenger must write an application to the carrier and provide a travel ticket and a document confirming the illness or accident. In this case, the person will receive compensation for the amount of the insurance fee, including the cost of the ticket and reserved seat, minus the cost of the ticket refund service. The cost of a reserved seat is not refundable in this case.

What to do if the train is late or canceled

According to the regulations of Ukrzaliznytsia, a passenger is entitled to a full refund for the purchased tickets in the following cases:

● If the train is more than 1:00 late at the departure station.

● If the carrier has officially canceled the flight for which the ticket was purchased.

● If the passenger did not have time to change trains at a transit station due to the delay of the train.

It should be noted that in cases when there was a break in train traffic (regardless of the reasons), which caused the passenger to refuse to continue the trip, the station where the delay occurred is obliged to refund the full cost of the ticket from the departure station.

We remind you, recent months in Europe have been characterized by a large number of protests among transport workers. We told you how this affects the functioning of transport and where to expect flight cancellations in July in our previous article.

Our recommendation for a safe and comfortable trip: 

Visit Ukraine Insurance - insurance for a safe stay abroad without unnecessary expenses;

Green Card - compulsory car insurance for traveling abroad;

Visit Ukraine Tickets - book tickets for buses, trains, and airplanes to/from Ukraine and between cities around the world;

Private Lawyer service - professional legal support on visa and migration issues;

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