In this article, we’ll break down the logistics of taking the train from Kyiv to Krakow. We’ll cover the fastest and most efficient ways to cross the border and where to buy tickets.
This information is important because Ukrainian romance scammers often convince their victims that their trip to the U.S., Germany, Australia, Canada, and so on, starts with a journey to Poland. We’ve heard countless tales of these “heroic and tragic” journeys to Poland, often framed as a stage in an invented escape from war.
Our train journey from Ukraine to Poland begins in Kyiv, with a taxi ride to Kyiv’s Central Station. It’s best to arrive early (there can be air-raid alerts, traffic, etc.). Arriving even two hours in advance allows you to relax and grab a coffee without rushing. The station has some nice coffee spots on both the first and second floors.
Upon entering the station, you’ll go through a scanner by placing your belongings on the conveyor belt for a security check.
The trip consists of two train legs. The first is from Kyiv to Przemyśl, and it offers not only regular seats but also first-class carriages. As of late October 2024, it’s easy to get tickets even as close as 10 days before departure.
It’s convenient to buy tickets through the Ukrzaliznytsia app, which is the national Ukrainian railway service. This app lets you see ticket prices, schedules, departure locations, and destinations. It’s a well-organized, modern system. For instance, about 30 minutes before departure, you can even see which platform your train will depart from. Tickets are digital, so there’s no need to print anything. Note that Ukrainian romance scammers often photoshop fake train tickets and send these fakes to their victims. If you need to verify a Ukrainian train ticket, reach out to us. We can help.
Also, keep in mind that this is an overnight train. Besides the money for an imaginary trip to Poland, Ukrainian romance scammers often add expenses to the budget, claiming they need to rest up in Kyiv and so forth.
The train carriages are clean, have comfortable mattresses, and come with restrooms. The train departs at 7 p.m., and by almost 6 a.m. the next day, you’ll arrive in Przemyśl. A second-class ticket costs $50, while a first-class seat is $73.
Once you reach Przemyśl, you’ll need to transfer trains. The ticket to Krakow costs $20 and can be bought through a Polish app that also offers a Ukrainian language option. Keep this detail in mind if she claims she “suffered so much.”
There’s no need to print your tickets for either train leg; they’re scanned via QR code.
Border Crossing
On the first train to Przemyśl, you’ll cross the Ukrainian border about 1-1.5 hours before arrival. You don’t need to leave the train; border control officers board, collect your documents, and return them after 30 minutes to an hour. It’s simple.
Over the past two years, we’ve taken various trains from Poland to Kyiv four times, and the Ukrainian border crossing has never taken longer than 1.5 hours. Twice it only took 30 minutes, which is very convenient because you can just sit on the train.
After about 1-1.5 hours, you’ll arrive in Przemyśl, which is in Poland. You exit the train and go through customs within the station. This is the standard procedure: show your Ukrainian passport, put your belongings on the conveyor for inspection, and leave the station. Here, you’ll get your stamp. Our company can also help verify the authenticity of her Ukrainian passport, which could save you a lot of money.
Przemyśl’s station is small but easy to navigate. If you get confused, you can ask for help—most people here are Ukrainian.
Total Travel Time
Let’s break down the time: the first train takes about 12 hours, including the border stop. The second train takes 2.5 hours, with another 2-3 hours for the border crossing at Przemyśl. So you can reach Krakow from Kyiv by train in about 16-17 hours. Train travel is much more comfortable than a car or bus, at least because you can walk around in the carriage rather than sitting the whole time. Plus, you can grab a tea or coffee whenever you like. And most importantly, you can roughly estimate the journey time. It’s a good idea to build in a few hours of buffer time, as trains can run late. But overall, it’s nothing like the inconsistency of waiting 15 hours at the border in a car one time and then only one hour the next.
If you find yourself realizing at the border that you’ll miss the second train, don’t worry. First, Poland currently offers free roaming from Ukrainian mobile providers, so you’ll have internet. Also, tickets from Przemyśl to Krakow cost no more than $20, so you won’t be losing much. And lastly, trains from Przemyśl to Krakow run every 1.5-2 hours. Most people at the border will also be Ukrainian, so you can ask for help if you need it.