Getting Around Kyiv: A Practical Transport Guide
Kyiv has an extensive public transportation network that makes it easy for visitors to move around the city. The main options are the metro, trams, trolleybuses, buses, and taxis. For shorter distances, walking is often the most enjoyable way to explore central Kyiv's neighborhoods.
The Metro
The Kyiv Metro is the city's primary and most reliable mode of transportation. It is a fast, convenient, and affordable network that covers most of the city. The metro is clean, easy to navigate, and trains run frequently throughout the day.
The system has three lines that all pass through the city center, making it straightforward to change between lines. Every station has a unique three-digit number, with the first digit indicating the line number (M1 for red, M2 for blue, and M3 for green). Once on board, stations are announced by loudspeaker and displayed on screens. During business hours, trains arrive every 30 to 150 seconds. After 20:00, frequency drops to every 5 minutes, and after 22:30, every 10–15 minutes. The last trains depart from terminal stations around midnight, with the last opportunity to catch a train in the city center between 00:15 and 00:25.
Note that during air raid sirens, subway trains do not cross the Dnipro River, which may affect your journey if you are staying on the left (eastern) bank.
Trams and Trolleybuses
Kyiv Tram is the oldest tram system in Eastern Europe. After years of being replaced by buses and trolleybuses, tram service is being partially revitalized with investments in the network.
The Kyiv Trolleybus system is extensive, with many routes spanning the entire city. Both trams and trolleybuses are operated by Kyivpastrans and serve the city's neighborhoods well.
Buses
Buses are another key part of Kyiv's public transport system. One particularly useful route for tourists is bus No. 24 (24A on weekends and holidays), which travels through Kyiv Passenger Railway Terminal, Khreshchatyk, European Square, and the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra—some of the city's most important landmarks.
Airport Transportation
Kyiv has two operating airports. From Zhuliany Airport, you can take trolleybus No. 9 to reach Kyiv Passenger Railway Terminal and Palace of Sports, which are near the city center. From Boryspil Airport (the main international airport), the Kyiv Boryspil Express train provides convenient service into the city.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
The taxi market in Kyiv is competitive, with many private companies offering service. Most allow you to schedule pickups by telephone. Be aware that the taxi market is poorly regulated, particularly regarding per-kilometer fares, so prices may vary between providers. Traffic congestion can be significant during peak hours, which may affect journey times.
Paying for Public Transport
All public transport (metro, buses, trams, and trolleybuses) uses a unified payment system. Each ride costs ₴30. There are no timed tickets—each ride must be paid for individually, though discounts apply when purchasing multiple journeys at once (10 rides cost ₴28.90 per ride, and 50 rides cost ₴25 per ride).
You have several payment options:
- Tap contactless credit or debit cards, Apple Pay, or Google Pay directly at readers (look for orange-marked gates in the metro)
- Purchase digital QR tickets through the Kyiv Digital mobile app and scan them at the turnstile
- Buy a Kyiv Digital plastic card at metro stations and T-Kiosks throughout the city for ₴50, then tap it to pay
- Purchase paper QR tickets at ticket offices or machines and scan them at the turnstile
Buses and trams do not accept cash payment or sell tickets onboard, so you must obtain a ticket or have a payment card ready before boarding if you are not using contactless payment. Tap or scan your ticket only once when entering—there is no need to scan again when exiting.
Walking
For shorter distances, walking is an excellent way to explore Kyiv, especially in the city center areas such as Maidan Nezalezhnosti, Kontraktova Ploshcha, and Arsenalna. The city center consists of many hills, so plan your route accordingly. Underground pedestrian crossings are common and allow you to cross busy streets without waiting for traffic lights. Many of these crossings connect to underground shopping areas, a distinctive feature of Kyiv. Keep in mind that not all underground crossings have elevators—some have only stairs.
The Urban Electric Train
The Kyiv Urban Electric Train runs around the city center and serves inner suburbs, with many stops offering transfers to the metro. In 2019, service was limited to rush hours from 07:00–10:00 and 16:00–20:00, with frequent cancellations and delays.
Planning Your Journey
A curfew operates in Kyiv from midnight to 05:00 each day, during which only people with special authorization are allowed outside. Plan your evening activities accordingly and allow time to return to your accommodation before the curfew begins. Taxi prices can become very expensive as the metro approaches its last trains around 22:30, so budget accordingly if you plan to stay out late.