Days on the road, queues at the border and stress: how Ukrainians travel nowadays
22 May 2025 14:41
Ukrainians planning a vacation abroad may face logistical difficulties. In an interview with "Komersant Ukrainian", Oleg Kulik, founder of the travel agency Poyedeli s nami, discussed the main problems, how to make the trip as comfortable as possible, and whether to choose a bus or a plane.
As you know, tours are divided into two categories: air and bus. Today, bus tours prevail, because this transport can be used to leave any city or drive up to a large city, from where you are already going to a vacation destination.
“Bulgaria is in first place among bus tours. Bus tours to Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, etc. are also popular. In the summer, bus tours account for more than 50% of all travel, while before 2022 their share was only 10%. The logistics are simple, but it is difficult to travel by bus for a day or more,”
– says Oleg Kulik.
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“Air travel is another category. But to fly, you need to get to the airport. 90% of tourists choose Chisinau and Polish airports, while other options are through Slovakia, Hungary, and Romania. The western regions travel through Poland and other countries, as it is closer to them. Central and eastern Ukraine, especially Odesa residents, use flights from Chisinau, as it is more convenient for them.
“The main problem is not the trip itself, but getting to the country and crossing the border. In summer, this process is delayed. The Polish border is the most difficult: the queues are long and the capacity is limited. The Moldovan border is easier. Therefore, before traveling, you should carefully plan your route with plenty of time to avoid missing your flight,”
– advises Oleg Kulik.
According to the head of the travel agency, airlines don’t care where the tourist is coming from or if he or she is late – the seats are sold out, and the plane can take off without him or her. Some operators offer insurance in case of delay, but it’s for an additional fee, and not everyone uses it. It is cheaper to leave in advance. Especially in summer, when there are a lot of tourists. You can stay at the border with Moldova for a maximum of 6-8 hours, and it is better to travel to Poland with an overnight stay or by train, as they pass control faster. Those traveling with children should think about spending the night in a hotel before departure, as children have a hard time with long journeys.
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Read the full interview here:
