Ukrzaliznytsia Unveils New Travel Schedule for 2025-2026
Ukrzaliznytsia has introduced a new travel schedule for the years 2025–2026, set to take effect on December 14. This schedule includes the launch of 11 new trains, comprising 8 international and 3 domestic routes, along with significant improvements to existing services.
The demand for rail travel continues to rise. Over the past 11 months, Ukrzaliznytsia has transported more than 25 million passengers, an increase of nearly half a million compared to last year. In the summer, the company tested a model of additional services by utilizing day-return trains, which enabled the provision of over 7,000 extra seats on peak days. This approach has informed the planning for the 2026 schedule.
Next year, Ukrzaliznytsia will increase seating availability during peak periods by 20% and provide an additional 2 million seats throughout the year.
“We update our travel schedule based on the real needs of people. This is a priority for us. We aim to provide faster routes and new direct connections, as well as ensure more seating for passengers during peak times. We are launching new routes and enhancing existing international connections,” said Oleksii Balesta, Deputy Minister for Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.
In international travel, 8 new routes are planned. Specifically, with Poland, 3 new trains to Przemyśl and 1 to Chełm have been added. This was made possible by the procurement of new carriages under the state program for upgrading passenger rolling stock.
Key updates for domestic travel:
- New train No. 47/48 (Kramatorsk) Barvinkove — Chop
This route is aimed at residents of the frontline Donetsk region who currently use multimodal transport schemes. The additional service enhances access to rehabilitation and recovery centers in the Carpathians and Transcarpathia, providing quick transfers to international routes in Chop.
- New train No. 33/34 Kryvyi Rih — Ivano-Frankivsk
This connection will link central regions of Ukraine with tourist destinations in Prykarpattia.
- Updated route of train No. 113/114 Kharkiv — Uzhhorod
The historical “Bakhmut” route is now extended to Transcarpathia. This is a critical connection for residents of Polissia and Volyn, providing direct access to the Carpathians and Transcarpathia while maintaining links with Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
In the direction of mountain resorts and rehabilitation centers, the new schedule includes over 40 routes, with more than half originating from frontline areas. A regional train from Lviv to Vorokhta will operate regularly on the modern DPKr-3 diesel train, which has become popular among passengers and will enhance transfer options during the ski season.
Ticket sales under the new schedule for dates after December 14 are already open in the application and on the Ukrzaliznytsia website.
