The Ukrainian Railways has announced its new schedule for 2025-2026, which will take effect on December 14. The schedule includes the launch of 11 new trains, consisting of 8 international and 3 domestic, as well as significant improvements to existing routes.

The demand for train travel continues to rise. In the first 11 months of this year, Ukrainian Railways has already transported over 25 million passengers, nearly half a million more than last year. In the summer, the company tested a model of additional transport services, allowing for over 7,000 extra seats on peak days. This approach has laid the groundwork for planning the 2026 schedule.

Overall, next year, Ukrainian Railways aims to increase seat availability during peak periods by 20% and provide an additional 2 million seats throughout the year.

«Ukrainian Railways updates its schedule based on the real needs of people. This is a priority. We are focusing on faster routes and new direct connections, as well as ensuring more seats for passengers during peak times. We are launching new routes and updating existing international connections,» stated Oleksii Balesta, Deputy Minister for Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine.

In international services, 8 new routes are planned. Specifically, in the connection with Poland, 3 new trains to Przemyśl and 1 to Chełm have been added. This has been made possible in part by the procurement of new carriages under the state program for updating passenger rolling stock.

Key updates in domestic services include:

• New train No. 47/48 (Kramatorsk) Barvinkove — Chop

This route is aimed at residents of the frontline regions of Donetsk who currently rely on multimodal transportation schemes. The additional service enhances access to rehabilitation and recovery centers in the Carpathians and Transcarpathia, providing quick transfers to international routes in Chop.

• New train No. 33/34 Kryvyi Rih — Ivano-Frankivsk

This train will connect central regions of Ukraine with tourist destinations in the Prykarpattia region.

• Updated route for train No. 113/114 Kharkiv — Uzhhorod

The historical «Bakhmut» train will extend its route to Transcarpathia. This connection is crucial for residents of Polissia and Volyn, providing direct access to the Carpathian destinations while retaining connections with Sumy and Kharkiv regions.

In the direction of mountain resorts and rehabilitation centers, the new schedule includes over 40 routes, more than half of which are from frontline regions. A regional train will regularly operate between Lviv and Vorokhta on the modern diesel train DPKr-3, which has gained popularity among passengers and will enhance transfer opportunities during the ski season.

Ticket sales for the new schedule starting after December 14 are already open in the app and on the Ukrainian Railways website.