Public transportation in Kyiv

If you're planning to explore Kyiv, you'll find it incredibly convenient to use public transportation. No matter which mode of public transit you choose, your journey will be cost-effective, allowing you to reach any corner of the city quickly and comfortably. Additionally, taxis are readily available at any time to take you to your desired destination within Kyiv.

City Transportation in Kyiv

Kyiv offers a variety of surface transportation options, including buses, trolleybuses, trams, electric trains, shuttle buses, and a funicular, as well as an extensive underground subway system. Familiarizing yourself with Kyiv's transportation schedules and routes will enable you to easily plan your travels throughout the city.

Payment Options for Public Transportation

For a hassle-free payment experience, Kyiv's public transport system provides a contactless fare payment system. To use it, simply download the Kiev Digital app on Android or iOS, link your bank card to the application, and purchase a QR code for your ticket directly within the app. You can then validate this code onboard. The validators on public transport have two sections: one resembling a mirror for QR codes and others for traditional travel cards. Detailed instructions for using electronic tickets can be found here.

While Kyiv is working to expand bank card acceptance, please note that not all routes have validators that support them. However, the subway always provides 1-2 turnstiles that accept bank cards or NFC payments.

For Kyiv residents or frequent visitors, it's highly beneficial to purchase a transportation card, which can save you money on your journeys. With a fully loaded card, a trip will cost you 6.50 UAH instead of the standard 8 UAH fare.

Metro

According to tourists, the best mode of transportation in Kyiv is the metro. Metro stations are located in close proximity to the main attractions of the city. Moreover, by using this mode of transportation, you will save yourself from standing in traffic jams, which are quite common on the streets of the city.

The Kyiv Metro consists of 3 metro lines and 52 stations with interchange hubs in the city center. You can familiarize yourself with the name and location of all the stations and train schedules on the metro map, which is located at the entrance to each station.

The working schedule of the subway in Kyiv: from 5:30 to 00:00. Fare is 8 UAH. If you buy a contactless card, a trip in the subway will cost from 6.50 UAH (the price depends on the number of trips).

Buses, Trolleybuses, and Trams

When your destination is far from the metro, other forms of public transportation in Kyiv come to the rescue. Buses, trolleybuses, and trams have a very extensive network of routes, and the schedule of their movement is available on all public transport and at many stops.

In Kyiv, there are high-speed trams, which operate very similarly to the subway. They have special tracks, making city travel fast and comfortable, bypassing road traffic.

The advantage of using buses, trolleybuses, and trams is their capacity. You can comfortably ride with luggage, and public transport in Kyiv is equipped with special spaces for wheelchairs. Dedicated lanes are allocated for their movement, which helps avoid traffic jams.

The fare for buses, trolleybuses, and trams is 8 UAH. If you purchase a pass (for a month or the second half of it) for one or more modes of public transportation in Kyiv, you can save a significant amount of money. Tickets can be obtained at special ticket offices at transport stops or from the conductor, and they must be validated.

The schedule of public transport in Kyiv: Buses run from 6:00-6:30 to 22:00-23:00, while streetcars and trolleybuses operate from 5:00-5:30 to 23:00-24:00. Buses, trolleybuses, and streetcars adhere to their schedules, making it easy to plan your travel time.

Marshrutki

Marshrutkas are a popular mode of public transportation in Kyiv. Many people prefer them for their speed and frequency. Keep in mind that most routes are operated by private companies, so the intervals between shuttle buses in Kyiv may not always be strictly adhered to.

When you need to travel from the suburbs of Kyiv or remote areas of the city where other forms of public transportation are not convenient, shuttle buses can quickly get you to your destination without much hassle. Unlike regular buses, trolleybuses, and streetcars, Kyiv has a larger number of shuttle buses, making them a convenient choice for city travel.

The fare for shuttle buses in Kyiv is 15 UAH. The ticket price depends mainly on the route and its distance, and you pay the fare directly to the driver.

The schedule for Kyiv's route cabs is available inside each vehicle. Operating hours: from 5:30-6:00 to 23:00-0:00.

City Train

Another way to navigate the city is by using Kyiv's high-speed electric trains, often referred to as ring trains. These trains connect the left and right banks of the city, operating in a circular route. This mode of public transportation is particularly convenient if you need to travel from the outskirts or suburbs of Kyiv.

You can purchase tickets for the circular electric train in Kyiv at ticket offices directly on the platform where the transport departs. Fare is 8 UAH.

Local trains in Kyiv run punctually according to a schedule that you can find on the platform, inside the trains, or on the official website. The map displays arrivals and departures at all stations where the train stops.

The schedule for Kyiv's city trains: 06:00-10:40, 16:20-21:45. The transportation interval is 15-30 minutes. The schedule for high-speed trains in Kyiv varies depending on the day and time, with more frequent service on weekdays and during rush hours.

Funicular

The funicular is an essential mode of urban transportation in Kyiv for both locals and tourists. It connects the Upper Town with Podol, providing a quick and comfortable way to ascend or descend without the need for a detour. Riding the Kyiv funicular also offers beautiful views of the city.

The operating hours of the Kyiv funicular: 7:00-22:00. The transportation frequency depends on passenger demand and ranges from 2 to 5 minutes. The lower stop of the funicular is Pochtovaya Pl., and the upper stop is Trekhsvyatitelskaya St. (near St. Michael's Cathedral).

The fare for a single trip is 8 UAH. You can purchase a funicular ticket in Kyiv at dedicated ticket offices at the entrance.

Social Taxi

For individuals with disabilities, navigating the city can be challenging due to the lack of special equipment in public transport in Kyiv, such as elevators and ramps. In the capital, there is a service that offers free taxis for people with special needs. Currently, there are 20 specially equipped vehicles in Kyiv, each equipped with special equipment and a first-aid kit.

To request social transportation for people with disabilities in Kyiv, you need to register. You will be required to present your passport and disability certificate, and additional documents may be needed depending on the purpose of the trip. Contact phone number: +38 (044) 450-83-47.

The drivers of Kyiv's "social cab" will not only take you to your desired destination quickly and comfortably but also assist you in entering and exiting the vehicle.

Night Routes

Night public transportation in Kyiv consists of 3 trolleybuses and 1 bus. These vehicles connect the city center, including the central railway station, with various parts of the city, including the Left and Right Banks.

The schedule for night transportation routes in Kyiv: from 22:00-23:00 to 6:00-7:00. You can find the exact schedule and route information for night buses and trolleybuses on the official website of "Kyivpastrans." Night transportation operates with a one-hour frequency.

The cost of a single trip is 8 UAH. You can pay for your fare in public night transport in Kyiv to the conductor or driver. If there is no conductor, you can also validate your previously purchased ticket at special ticket offices at public transport stops.

Services for Tracking Transportation

Getting around by public transportation in Kyiv has become easier thanks to various services for GPS transportation monitoring in the city. These services allow both locals and visitors to track the movement of urban transport in Kyiv in real-time. Here's how tracking services work: a GPS sensor is installed in the vehicles, transmitting their coordinates to a server, which is then displayed in a specific program.

In services like Easyway or Kyiv Digital, you can see the current location of a specific transport vehicle on a map and its estimated arrival time at your desired stop. These programs help you save time during your journey by minimizing waiting times and assisting you in selecting the most convenient route and mode of transport.

You can also plan your route using Google Maps for public transportation in Kyiv. These applications calculate when the next transport will arrive and offer route options, indicating the most convenient way to travel from point A to point B. You only need to specify your departure and arrival points.

Tracking transportation programs in Kyiv are particularly useful during the evening when public transportation is less frequent, and during rush hours when it helps avoid long waits or crowded buses.

Taxis

Taxis are the fastest and most comfortable mode of transportation in Kyiv. When you book a taxi, you can choose its class and specify additional services such as a terminal, airport pickup, child seat, air conditioning, and more.

Some of the popular and cost-effective taxi services in Kyiv include Red Taxi (+38 (044) 5-000-000), Taxi "838" (Callback or +38 (044) 500-38-38), and Taxi "309" (Callback or +38 (044) 220-13-15).

The services Uklon, Uber, and Bolt are very convenient to use in Kyiv. You can search for a cab in Kyiv through these apps, which instantly calculate the trip's cost and display details like the car brand and estimated arrival time. After the ride, you can rate the driver or provide feedback if necessary.

The cost of a trip with affordable Kyiv taxi services depends on the distance and the car's class. The pricing typically includes the initial fee (starting from 30 UAH) and a per-kilometer charge (starting from 7 UAH). When placing an order, make sure to check if there's a meter in the car so you can monitor the fare amount.

Museum of Transportation

Public transportation in Kyiv has a rich history, and you can explore it at the Museum of Transport. Here, you'll find rare buses, trolleybuses, and streetcars that used to operate in the capital. The museum also features vintage cars and special vehicles.

In the near future, there will be opportunities to take rides on retro vehicles during tours and explore the working depots.

The operating hours of the Museum of Transport in Kyiv: Monday to Saturday, 10:00-17:00.

Address: Vyborgskaya Street, 111 (located on the premises of Motor Pool No. 3).