In 2025, there are no entry restrictions for foreigners traveling to Ukraine, but the country’s airspace remains closed due to the ongoing war. This means no direct flights from Italy to Ukraine are currently operating. However, getting to Ukraine from Italy is still possible — and increasingly popular — by combining a flight to a nearby European country with a train or bus journey to your final Ukrainian destination.
Ukraine borders Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, and Moldova, and flights from Rome, Milan, Venice, Naples, and other Italian cities are available to all of these countries.
Below are the most convenient travel routes, transport options, and current entry rules for 2025.
Italy – Poland
Poland remains the most popular gateway to Ukraine for travelers from Italy, offering excellent train and bus connections to Lviv, Kyiv, Odesa, and other cities.
Rome – Warsaw:
Direct flights from Rome Fiumicino (FCO) to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) operate daily.
Flight time: about 2 hours 20 minutes
Ticket price: from €90
Milan – Krakow:
Daily direct flights from Milan Bergamo (BGY) and Milan Malpensa (MXP) to Krakow.
Flight time: about 2 hours
Ticket price: from €60
From Warsaw, Przemysl, or Chełm, you can continue to Ukraine by direct train or bus. The Przemysl–Lviv train takes about three hours and runs twice per day (check schedule). Another option is to cross the border on foot – it takes from 30 minutes to 3 hours, typically depending on the time of the day and luck, or take a bus, taxi, BlaBla car, or private transfer from Przemysl.
Italy – Hungary
Another convenient option is flying to Budapest, which offers direct rail links to Kyiv and Mukachevo.
Rome / Milan – Budapest:
Daily direct flights from Rome Fiumicino and Milan Malpensa to Budapest.
Flight time: about 1 hour 40 minutes
Ticket price: from €30–€70
From Budapest, travelers can take:
A direct overnight train to Kyiv (about 22 hours), or
A shorter journey by train or bus to Mukachevo in western Ukraine.
Italy – Slovakia
Košice in eastern Slovakia is one of the closest airports to Ukraine.
Flights from Italy to Košice usually include one stopover (in Vienna or Prague).
Departure cities: Rome, Milan, Venice
Travel time: 5–7 hours including transfer
Ticket price: from €130
From Košice, travelers can reach Mukachevo or Chop by bus or train — both located just across the border.
Italy – Romania
Romania is another strong option, especially for travelers heading to southern and central Ukraine.
Rome – Bucharest:
Several daily direct flights from Rome Fiumicino and Ciampino to Bucharest Henri Coandă Airport.
Flight time: 2 hours
Ticket price: from €40
From Bucharest, you can take a bus or train to Suceava, and from there, cross into Ukraine to Chernivtsi, a journey of 2–3 hours by bus.
Italy – Moldova
Travelers heading to Odesa or southern Ukraine can fly to Chișinău in Moldova.
Rome / Milan – Chișinău:
Flights operate with short stopovers in Istanbul or Vienna.
Travel time: about 4 hours
Ticket price: from €60
From Chișinău, you can reach Odesa (130 km) via bus or train, or take a direct Chișinău–Kyiv train, which runs regularly.
Traveling by Bus from Italy to Ukraine
Long-distance buses from Italy to Ukraine operate several times per week from Rome, Milan, Bologna, and Venice, with destinations including Lviv, Kyiv, Ternopil, and Odesa.
Duration: 28–34 hours (depending on route). FlixBus and Infobus offer routes such as Milan – Kyiv. AL‑TRANS: Offers buses from Rome Termini Giolitti to Kyiv bus station, reportedly 4 times a week.
Ticket price: from €100–€140
Amenities: Wi-Fi, recliner seats, restrooms, air conditioning
Traveling by Train from Italy to Ukraine
There are no direct trains from Italy to Ukraine, but connections are easy via nearby European hubs:
From Poland: Direct trains from Warsaw, Chelm, and Przemysl to Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv and Odesa.
From Hungary: Direct Budapest–Kyiv overnight service and connections to Mukachevo.
From Austria: Direct Vienna–Kyiv and Vienna–Chop routes.
From Slovakia: Košice–Mukachevo route.
From Moldova: Chișinău–Kyiv direct train.
Traveling by Car from Italy to Ukraine
The distance from Rome to Kyiv is around 2,100 km, requiring 24–26 hours of driving without stops.
To Lviv, the journey is about 1,500 km and takes 18–20 hours.
The most direct route passes through Slovenia, Hungary, and Slovakia or Romania, depending on your destination in Ukraine.
The estimated cost (fuel, tolls, insurance) ranges from €350–€500.
Border wait times vary depending on the checkpoint — the Hungary–Ukraine (Chop–Záhony) and Poland–Ukraine (Medyka–Shehyni) crossings are usually the most efficient.
Travel tip: Cross the border Monday through Wednesday to avoid long weekend queues.
Rules for Entering Ukraine by Car for Foreigners
Foreigners can bring their own cars into Ukraine for up to one year, for personal use only.
If staying longer than two months, the vehicle must be temporarily registered at a Ukrainian MIA service center.
After one year, the car must leave Ukraine.
An insurance policy is mandatory; Mini CASCO coverage is recommended to protect against both accidents and war-related risks.
