Bus journeys from Ukraine to Germany often take more than 35–40 hours. This is very physically demanding for families with small children, elderly people or travellers with a lot of luggage. Since 14 December 2025, Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukraine’s state railway company) has been operating its new timetable for 2026. It allows passengers to travel to Germany with just one change.
The state railway company has officially announced that international connections have been further developed and timetables coordinated with European railway companies. These are not direct trains to Germany, but coordinated connections between Ukrainian trains and Polish and German connections in Polish border towns. For residents of Baden-Württemberg, this is an alternative to bus connections, which often take over 35 hours.
Przemyśl as a central transfer point
Przemyśl remains an important hub for connections from Ukraine to the west. Several Ukrainian trains run there, offering connections to the Polish railway company PKP Intercity and Deutsche Bahn.
The journey time from Kyiv to Przemyśl is around nine to ten hours, and from Kharkiv around 14 to 16 hours. The onward journey from Przemyśl to Berlin takes around seven to eight hours, and to Munich around ten to twelve hours by night train. In total, the journey from Kyiv to Stuttgart usually takes around 22 to 28 hours and can take up to 30 hours, depending on the connection and transfer time.
Route via Munich
Train No. 63/64 Kharkiv–Przemyśl arrives in Przemyśl at around 4:59 p.m. There is a connection to the EN 417 “Carpatia” night train to Prague and Munich. ICE high-speed trains run from Munich to Stuttgart at intervals of around 30 to 60 minutes. The journey time is around two hours.
Route via Leipzig
Train No. 51K Kyiv–Przemyśl arrives at around 5 a.m. There is then a connection to the EC 134 “Via Regia” to Leipzig. From Leipzig, there are direct high-speed connections to southern Germany, including Stuttgart.
Route via Berlin
Train No. 31/32 Zaporizhzhya–Przemyśl connects to the EC 58 “Galicja” to Berlin. From there, there are direct ICE connections to Stuttgart.
Alternative via Chełm
Another connection is offered by train No. 119/120 Dnipro–Chełm to Chełm, with a subsequent change in Warsaw and onward travel to Berlin. This route involves more changes, but also avoids long bus journeys.
Prices and planning
Tickets for Ukrainian trains are available via the official website and app of Ukrzaliznytsia. European sections of the route are sold via the websites of PKP Intercity and Deutsche Bahn. Prices depend on the time of booking and the class of carriage. According to the railway companies, international tickets are cheaper if booked in advance. The journey consists of two sections – one Ukrainian and one European.
As of February 2026, the approximate prices are as follows:
Ukrainian section (to Przemyśl or Chełm):
– Compartment carriage (Kupe): approx. 1300–1600 UAH (25–35 euros);
– Sleeping car (SV): approx. 2500–2800 UAH (50–60 euros);
– “Intercity+” seating car: approx. 1000–1300 UAH (20–28 euros).
European section:
– Przemyśl–Berlin/Leipzig: from approx. 40–50 euros if booked early;
– Munich–Stuttgart: from 30 euros with the saver fare;
– EN night train to Munich: price depends on the category selected.
The total cost of the journey can be around 100 to 160 euros or more, depending on the time of booking and the comfort class.
Tickets for Ukrainian trains are available on the Ukrzaliznytsia website (https://booking.uz.gov.ua/). Polish connections are sold by PKP Intercity (https://www.intercity.pl/), German routes by Deutsche Bahn (https://www.bahn.de/). For international tickets, verification via “Dija. Pidpys”.
In Germany, children under the age of 14 travel free of charge if they are travelling with their parents or grandparents and are specified when booking on the Deutsche Bahn website. Travellers should check the current timetables immediately before departure, as international connections may be subject to change.
From Germany to Ukraine
The new timetable also allows for easily planned journeys from Germany to Ukraine with a change in Poland.
Via Munich
An ICE train runs from Stuttgart to Munich in about two hours. From there, the EN 417 “Carpatia” night train runs to Przemyśl.
In Przemyśl, there are connections to Ukrzaliznytsia trains to Kyiv, Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and other cities. The connecting timetables are published and regularly updated by the railway companies: www.uz-vezemo.uz.gov.ua
Via Berlin or Leipzig
There are ICE connections from Stuttgart to Berlin or Leipzig. From there, international EC trains run to Przemyśl. Passengers then change to Ukrainian trains to Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and other cities.
Further information:
Official announcement from Ukrzaliznytsia regarding the 2026 timetable:
www.uz.gov.ua/press_center/up_to_date_topic/
PKP Intercity (timetables and international connections):
www.intercity.pl
Deutsche Bahn (international routes and ICE):
www.bahn.de
EuroNight / international night trains:
www.nightjet.com
By Oleksandr Maishev
tun26021704