The state-owned railway company Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) launched a pilot project to extend its Kyiv-Chisinau route directly to an airport in Moldova, providing Ukrainian travelers with a more seamless connection to international airports.
Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022, civil aviation in Ukraine has remained completely suspended due to the closure of the country’s airspace. As a result, Ukrainians must travel to neighboring countries to catch international flights. While airports in Warsaw and Budapest are the most popular hubs, they are overburdened by the high volume of transit passengers.
Ukraine is working on alternative logistics routes, so Ukrzaliznytsia announced plans to collaborate with Moldova’s railway to test a stop at the Revaka station near Chisinau International Airport. On Monday, April 13, train #351 (Kyiv-Chisinau) was extended to Revaka, where free shuttle buses picked up passengers for the transfer to the terminal, the company announced.
The train departs from Kyiv Central Station at 6:06 p.m. every other day and arrives in Chisinau at 11:53 a.m., according to Ukrzaliznytsia’s website. Ticket prices range from Hr.2,500 ($57) to Hr.3,600 ($82), depending on the class of travel, making the route more affordable than trips to Warsaw (Hr.5,800 or $132) or Budapest (Hr.4,400 or $100).
“The test trip will show the relevance of a stop near the airport and, provided there is significant demand among travelers, Revaka may appear on route 351 permanently,” the company stated on its Facebook page.
However, operating during the war remains a significant challenge, as Russian forces have intensified attacks on the company’s rolling stock since last year. To ensure passenger safety, Ukrzaliznytsia implemented strict protocols: during air-raid alerts, passengers are required to exit the trains and wait out in shelters or 100 meters (328 feet) from the train.
The company also reported a 13.5% decline in revenue last year, totaling Hr. 90 billion ($2 billion), which ranks it 11th among Ukraine’s top companies by revenue. Despite disruptions and heightened physical risks to infrastructure, the railway continues to ensure the transportation of both cargo and passengers