Travel to Ukraine from the USA in 2025: how to get there and entry rules

Unfortunately, the war in Ukraine is still ongoing and the airspace remains unsuitable for passenger flights, so it is important to carefully consider the available routes to plan your trip. Learn more about how to get from the US to Ukraine in 2025 and what to consider when planning your trip

Buy insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

BUY

Ukraine is open to foreign travellers. US residents ranked 7th among all foreigners entering Ukraine in 2024. In total, 52,012 US citizens entered Ukraine in 2024.

However, travelling to Ukraine has certain peculiarities in the context of martial law and closed airspace.

How do you get to Ukraine from the US and what are the rules for entering Ukraine in 2025? Useful information for those planning a trip to Ukraine is provided in this article.

How to get to Ukraine from the USA in 2025?

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.

Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova.

Flight from the USA to the Ukrainian border

● USA – Poland

- Warsaw (the capital of Poland) can be reached by direct flight from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami. The price of a ticket is from $450 to $650. Travel time is 9-10 hours.

- Krakow is the closest Polish airport to the Ukrainian border, with direct flights from the USA. Available departure from Chicago. Ticket price starts at $800. Travel time is 8 hours.

  - You can fly to Rzeszów (Ryaszów) with a transfer in Warsaw. Available from New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, etc. Ticket price starts at $500. Travel time is about 11 hours.

You can also arrive from the USA in Katowice, Lublin and Wroclaw with a transfer at one of the European airports.

● USA – Moldova

There are flights from the USA to Chisinau airport with a stopover in Istanbul or Warsaw. Departure is available from New York, Chicago and Boston. Travel time is 13-18 hours. Ticket price starts at $750.

● USA – Slovakia

There are also no direct flights to Slovak cities from the USA. You can fly to Kosice, Bratislava or Poprad with only 1-2 transfers. Such a trip will take about 18-22 hours and will cost from $650.

● USA – Hungary

You can fly to Debrecen, the Hungarian airport closest to the Ukrainian border, from New York and Miami. However, you will have to make a transfer in London. The advantage of this route is the low price - a ticket can be purchased for $250, but you will have to spend 20-25 hours on the road.

● USA – Romania

Flights to Suceava are available from New York, Atlanta, Boston or Portland. However, there are no direct routes either. The trip will also include a layover in London. The price of the ticket is from $350, the duration of the trip is from 22 hours.

Travel to Ukraine by train

At the second stage, it is necessary to continue your trip from the European city to Ukraine by ground transport.

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 get to Kyiv, from Przemyśl - to Kyiv, Kharkiv, 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.

Find a detailed schedule of trains running between Ukraine and European countries by following the link.

Travel to Ukraine by bus

A fairly convenient and economical way to get to Ukraine is by bus. Routes depart from many European cities and go to most Ukrainian regions. The ticket price starts at 500 hryvnias ($15). The duration of the trip is up to 20 hours.

When looking for tickets to travel to Ukraine, it is important to use convenient services that allow you to quickly compare prices and choose the best deals. One of these resources is the Visit Ukraine portal, where you can find and buy tickets online in just a few minutes.

The portal allows you to compare prices for trains travelling from different European cities to Ukraine and book tickets quickly. The booking process is extremely simple. You simply select the route, carrier and date, and payment can be made directly through the website.

Entry rules for US citizens to Ukraine 2025

Do US citizens need a visa to enter Ukraine?

A visa is not required. US citizens have the right to stay in Ukraine without a visa for up to 90 days, if the purpose of the trip is tourism, visiting relatives, treatment, etc.

If the duration of your stay exceeds 90 days or you plan to work or study in Ukraine, then before traveling you need to issue a long-term visa (type "D"). To do this, contact the embassy or consulate of Ukraine in the USA at least 3 months before the planned trip.

Don't want to miss important updates and useful articles? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter!

List of documents for travel to Ukraine from the USA

Entry into Ukraine is based on a valid foreign passport, which must have at least one blank page for the entry stamp.

Also, to cross the Ukrainian border, you must provide:

1. Health insurance policy.

2. Confirmation of the purpose of the trip: a notarized invitation from citizens of Ukraine (relatives, acquaintances, friends), travel vouchers, confirmation of accommodation reservations, invitations from companies or organizations, tickets to seminars, exhibitions, fairs, documents about treatment in medical facilities, etc.

3. Confirmation of financial support (cash, bank statement, check from an ATM, etc.) - proof that you have sufficient funds for the entire period of your planned stay in Ukraine or transit to a third country ($45 per person for each day of your stay in Ukraine ).

4. Absence of a ban from the authorized body on entry into Ukraine.

Read about who can be refused entry to Ukraine in our article.

If you are planning to stay in Ukraine for a long time or are dealing with issues with documents, it is important to have someone who is familiar with Ukrainian law. Visit Ukraine's lawyers work with foreigners, helping them with residence permits, tax numbers, business registration and other issues related to their stay in Ukraine. Legal support means peace of mind and confidence in every step.

Is it safe to travel to Ukraine in 2025?

In 2025, Ukraine continues to live in a full-scale war. Despite this, life has not stopped - cafes, hotels, museums, excursions and cultural events are still open. However, the issue of travel safety remains a key one.

The level of threat depends on the region. In the frontline areas, in the east and south of the country, the situation is difficult, with periodic shelling and drone strikes. In the central and western parts of the country, the situation is much more stable, although the threat of air attacks remains throughout Ukraine.

Recommendations for safe travel to Ukraine

To ensure safe travel to Ukraine in 2025, please follow these recommendations:

- Check official information. Read the recommendations of your country's Ministry of Foreign Affairs on travelling to Ukraine. Follow the messages on the websites of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and local authorities.

- Prepare your documents. Make sure that your passport is valid and that your visa (if required) is properly issued. Make copies of important documents (passport, insurance policy, visa) and save them digitally.

- Take care of your health insurance. Your policy should cover treatment in Ukraine, including possible emergencies, and it is advisable to have additional coverage for war-related risks.

- Keep an eye on air alerts. Install the Air Alert mobile application (App Store | Google Play) and learn the rules of behaviour during shelling. In case of an alarm, immediately go to the nearest shelter.

- Do not take pictures of military objects. Photographing checkpoints, military equipment, positions of the Armed Forces and other strategic objects is prohibited.

- Be prepared for inspections. During wartime, law enforcement officers may check your documents. Always have them with you.

- Follow the guide's instructions, especially in areas near destroyed objects.

- Respect the memory of the dead - this is not just a tour, but a place where history lives on.

How to take out insurance with war risk coverage for travelling to Ukraine?

War risk insurance is a health insurance policy that provides foreign nationals with financial protection in the event of an accident due to military operations. Given the current situation in the country, such insurance is a critical element of security for foreigners planning a trip or a long stay in Ukraine.

Visit Ukraine portal offers fast and convenient registration of medical insurance with coverage of military risks. Here you can buy insurance online and receive an electronic policy by email immediately after payment.

You need to follow a few simple steps to get a policy:

1. Follow the link.

2. Choose an insurance package (that meets your needs).

3. Select the insurance period (standard policies can be issued for a period of 3 to 180 days, annual insurance Armour+ Year of Protection - only for 365 days) and enter your date of birth. The service will automatically calculate the cost of insurance for 1 person for the selected period.

4. Fill in the form with the insured person's details (full name, e-mail, contact phone number, passport details, citizenship and place of residence). At this stage, you can add information about other insured persons if you plan to travel with someone else.

5. Read the terms and conditions of the contract and confirm the policy (you will need to enter a special code that will be sent to the specified e-mail).

6. Pay for the policy in a way convenient for you.

You will receive a ready-made health insurance policy to the specified e-mail. You do not need to print it out - you can simply save the electronic insurance on your smartphone or other gadget - it has the same legal force as paper insurance.

Useful links for those planning a trip to Ukraine

● You can buy tickets to Ukraine by plane, train or bus on the Visit Ukraine portal. See the schedule and book using the link.

● If the purpose of the trip is tourism, be sure to search for a tour in advance. The largest database of routes from proven tourist operators is collected at the link. Depending on your interests, you can also plan an individual trip.

● Book hotels here. Rules for renting an apartment in Ukraine for foreigners in this article.

● To feel more mobile while traveling in Ukraine, we recommend renting a car. Detailed instructions at the link.

● Safety rules must be strictly followed when traveling through Ukraine under martial law. In addition, make sure you have military risk insurance. About the benefits of the policy here.

● In the conditions of martial law, certain rights of citizens may be limited, therefore, if you need the help of a lawyer while traveling in Ukraine, you can contact the specialists at the link.

● Contacts of the US Embassy in Ukraine:

- Address: str. Sikorskogo, 4 (former Tankova St.), Kyiv 04112, Ukraine;

- Phone: +38 044-521-5000.

● Stylish clothes and accessories in memory of Ukraine here.

Are you planning a trip to Ukraine?

In today's realities, it is important to take care not only of comfort but also of safety. Medical insurance covering military risks is a necessary protection during your trip. The policy is valid even in case of emergencies related to military events, provides access to medical care and covers treatment costs.

Take out insurance and travel with confidence!

Just a reminder. To plan a trip to Ukraine, a foreigner needs to resolve a large number of issues related to entry and stay in the country. Read here about the rules of entry to Ukraine in 2025, as well as what is important to consider before planning a trip.

Photo: president.gov.ua

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 – health insurance with coverage of war risks;

Visit Ukraine Mini Hull Insurance – car insurance with extended coverage in Ukraine;

Visit Ukraine Osago – compulsory motor third party liability insurance for cars with Ukrainian registration;

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.

© 2018-2025, Visit Ukraine. Use, copying or reprinting of materials on this site is permitted only with a link (hyperlink for online publications) to Visit Ukraine.

All rights reserved.