Ukraine (UA)
EU-candidate country with a resilient tech sector, very low day-to-day costs by European standards, rich culture, and a 2026 expat experience shaped by martial law, air alerts, reconstruction, and fast-moving rules.
Getting Around
Transport options for living in Ukraine.
Public Transport Overview
Urban transit operates through metro, tram, trolleybus, bus, marshrutka, and commuter rail. Kyiv metro stations double as shelters during air alerts. Service can stop or reroute during alerts, curfew, blackouts, and missile threats.
🎫 Transit Passes
Kyiv metro, municipal ground transport, parking, and city services
Lviv municipal public transport
National rail network
Taxi & Rideshare
Bolt and Uklon dominate app taxis. Prices rise during curfew-adjacent hours, bad weather, and transport disruption. Avoid unmarked cash taxis at stations if possible.
Rideshare (Long-distance)
Bolt and Uklon are widely used in major cities; BlaBlaCar exists for intercity trips but wartime checkpoint and safety considerations make official rail preferable.
Cycling
Cycling infrastructure is improving in Kyiv and Lviv but remains uneven. Helmet, lights, reflective clothing, and defensive riding are essential.
Intercity Trains
Ukrzaliznytsia is the backbone of domestic travel. Night trains are common, and booking through the official app reduces fraud risk. Keep ID and tickets accessible at checkpoints.
Driving
Right-side driving. Speed limits: 50 km/h in urban areas, 90 km/h on rural roads, 130 km/h on motorways. Check curfews, checkpoints, fuel availability, road closures, and mine-risk areas before intercity travel. Do not drive near front-line or de-occupied areas without local security advice.
Airports
Civilian airspace has been closed during the full-scale war. International travel usually uses rail or road to Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, or Moldova, then flights from there.