In 2024, there are no restrictions on entry to Ukraine for foreigners, but traveling may be difficult due to the lack of air service. Here are the most convenient routes from Sweden to Ukraine and the current border crossing rules

Take care of insurance for safe entry and stay in Ukraine

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Even despite the imposed martial law, Ukraine's borders are open, including for foreigners. According to official information, more than 2.4 million foreigners entered Ukraine in 2023, including 5,448 citizens of Sweden.

In 2024, this trend continues, foreigners come to Ukraine on personal visits, on trips and as part of volunteer missions. Also, world powers are gradually easing recommendations for their citizens regarding trips to Ukraine. In particular, Great Britain has already allowed, if necessary, to visit certain regions in the west of the country. Governments in other countries around the world are also expected to lift restrictions.

However, taking into account the state of war in which Ukraine is currently, traveling here has its own peculiarities, in particular, the airspace is closed in the country, and certain safety rules must also be observed.

How to get to Ukraine from Sweden? What rules for entering Ukraine are relevant in 2024? Useful information for those planning a trip this year is collected in our material.

Air flight from Sweden to the Ukrainian border + travel by land transport

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 land transport - by train or bus.

Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova. There are many direct flights from Sweden to these countries.

● Sweden – Poland

- Warsaw can be reached by direct flight from Stockholm and Gothenburg. The price of the ticket starts from 15 euros. Available departures up to four times a day. Travel time is about 1 hour 45 minutes.

- Krakow is one of the closest Polish airports to the Ukrainian border. The distance from Krakow to Lviv is 328 km. You can get here by direct flight from Stockholm and Gothenburg. Take off every day. The flight is operated by low-cost companies, so the price of the ticket starts from 10 euros. Travel time is about 2 hours.

  - You can fly to Rzeszów (Ryaszów) only with a transfer, most often in Warsaw. Travel duration from 4 hours. The price of the ticket is from 80 euros. The airport in Rzeszów is located 172 km from Lviv (Ukraine).

Poland and Ukraine have close rail and bus connections. Available ways of travel from Poland to Ukraine are collected in this article.

● Sweden – Moldova

You can get to Chisinau from Stockholm and Malmö, but only with a transfer in Warsaw, Vienna or another European city. The price of the ticket starts from 140 euros. Travel time from 6 hours.

The distance to the Ukrainian border from Chisinau is 130 km - Palanka checkpoint (Odesa region). The nearest large Ukrainian city: Odesa. Tourists planning a trip to the southern regions of Ukraine should choose a flight to Chisinau airport.

There is also a direct train from Chisinau to Kyiv.

● Sweden – Slovakia

You can fly from Sweden to Slovakia only with a stopover. The closest airports to the Ukrainian border are Košice and Poprad. There are flights here from Stockholm and Malmö. Such a trip will last from 4 hours and will cost from 120 euros.

From Kosice you can reach Chopa and Mukachevo (Transcarpathian region).

● Sweden – Hungary

You can fly to Budapest from Stockholm and Gothenburg. Travel time is 2 hours. Ticket price from 20 euros.

There is a direct train from Budapest to Kyiv.

● Sweden – Romania

Only connecting flights are available to Suceava. The price of the ticket is from 150 euros, the duration of the trip is from 5 hours.

You can easily get to Chernivtsi from Suceava, there is a daily bus from the bus station, the journey to Chernivtsi takes 2-3 hours.

Pay attention! If you plan to buy tickets for the near future, the prices may be much higher.

By train from Sweden to Ukraine

There is no direct train between Stockholm and Kyiv, but you can arrive with a transfer following the route:

Stockholm (Sweden) - Berlin (Germany) - Warsaw (Poland) - Kyiv (Ukraine)

1. Travel from Stockholm to Berlin by train. Travel time - 12 hours. The price of a train ticket starts from 49 EUR. Two travel options are available:

- From Stockholm to Berlin by night train Snälltåget. Travel time - 19 hours.

- Day train with a transfer in Copenhagen and Hamburg. The German railway Deutsche Bahn offers discounted tickets from 56 EUR. Travel time - 12 hours.

2. The trip from Berlin to Warsaw will take approximately 6 hours and 30 minutes. There are at least four direct flights between Berlin and Warsaw.

3. There is one night train from Warsaw to Kyiv called “Kyiv Express”, the journey time is 15 hours. Ticket price from 45 EUR. Departure from Warsaw at 17:50, arrival in Kyiv at 12:17.

Also available routes: Stockholm (Sweden) - Copenhagen (Denmark) - Berlin (Germany) - Warsaw (Poland) - Kyiv (Ukraine) and Stockholm (Sweden) - Gdansk (Poland) - Warsaw (Poland) - Kyiv (Ukraine).

Tickets for most Ukrzaliznytsia flights from Poland can be bought online on the official website of Ukrzaliznytsia, in the mobile application and through official chatbots.

By bus from Sweden to Ukraine

A fairly convenient and economical way to get from Sweden to Ukraine is by bus.

The Stockholm-Kyiv bus leaves Stockholm at 23:59 and arrives in Kyiv two days later, at 21:35. The total duration of the trip is about 50 hours. In Hamburg, travelers need to make a transfer. The price of the ticket is 240 euros.

Where to buy bus tickets from Sweden to Ukraine?

Choosing a proven service for buying tickets is one of the most important stages in organizing a trip. That is why thousands of travelers use the ticket purchase service on the Visit Ukraine portal.

By own car from Sweden to Ukraine

The distance from Stockholm to Lviv is 1,960 km, the journey to Kyiv will be 550 km longer. The route will include a ferry crossing. Estimated travel time is 23 hours. Such a trip, taking into account the price of gasoline, can cost from 350 to 500 euros.

Rules for entering Ukraine by car for foreigners

A foreigner is allowed to enter Ukraine in his own car, but he can use it only for his own needs. Foreign citizens can drive cars with foreign license plates in Ukraine for up to one year. If you plan to stay in Ukraine longer than two months, you need to contact the service center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs for temporary car registration. After the expiration of the one-year period, the car with foreign license plates must leave Ukraine.

To enter Ukraine by car, you must have a Green Card insurance policy.

Detailed rules for traveling in Ukraine by car with foreign registration in this article.

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Entry rules for Sweden citizens to Ukraine in 2024

● Visa is not required. Citizens of Sweden 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 length of stay exceeds 90 days or you plan to work or get an education in Ukraine, then before traveling you need to issue a long-term visa (type "D") at the Ukrainian embassy or consulate in Sweden. It is better to start the procedure at least 3 months before the planned trip.

● 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 ).

Importantly! Foreigners who have been banned from entering Ukraine by an authorized state body will not be able to cross the border. Read about who can be refused entry to Ukraine in our article.

Useful links for those planning a trip to Ukraine

● Booking a tour – 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.

● Housing search – book hotels here. Rules for renting an apartment in Ukraine for foreigners in this article.

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

● Safety and insurance rules – 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.

● Legal support – 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 Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine:

- Address: 34/33 Ivana Franka Street, Kyiv, 01030.

- The embassy accepts visitors only by prior appointment by e-mail: [email protected].

● Souvenirs – stylish clothes and accessories in memory of Ukraine here.

We wish you a good trip!

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

Darya Rogova is the head of the Visit Ukraine insurance department

Feel confident during your stay in Ukraine. Take out an insurance policy from verified insurance agents on the Visit Ukraine portal. Reliable protection for your mail in just a few minutes.

Do you have additional questions? Contact the Visit Ukraine hotline (Telegram | WhatsApp).