Moldova to Ukraine by Train: The Chisinau-Kyiv Night Train
The night train from Chișinău to Kyiv makes for an excellent way to travel between Moldova and Ukraine: this guide shows you what the journey is like!
By train from Moldova to Ukraine
Every second day, a night train connects the Moldovan capital, Chișinău, with the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
This night train is the safest and most comfortable way to travel between Moldova and Ukraine, and it’s certainly a convenient option too, as it runs overnight and allows you to arrive well-rested at your destination the next day.
Below you can see a video guide I made about the Chișinău–Kyiv night train, which shows the facilities on board and gives a good impression of the journey.
Travel classes
The Chișinău–Kyiv night train is operated by Ukrzaliznytsia – the Ukrainian Railways – and features the same travel classes found on domestic sleeper trains in Ukraine.
The highest travel class is Spalny Vagon (deluxe sleeper), with two berths in each compartment.
If you want sole occupancy of a Spalny Vagon compartment, you’ll need to book both berths.
Next is Kupé (Coupe), which has four berths per compartment.
Neither Spalny Vagon nor Kupé compartments have en-suite facilities – not even a washstand – although they typically come with a power socket.
The cheapest option is Platzkart, an open-plan carriage with 54 bunk beds, more akin to a hostel on wheels.
The Chișinău–Kyiv night train. ©AndyBTravels
Tickets
Tickets for the night train from Moldova to Ukraine can be booked on the Ukrzaliznytsia website.
A berth in a Spalny Vagon compartment costs 6,673 Ukrainian hryvnia (£116, €135.90, $159.26), while a berth in Kupé costs 3,575 hryvnia (£62.48, €73.20, $85.78), and a berth in Platzkart costs 2,551 hryvnia (£44.58, €52.23, $61.21).
The journey
The journey from Moldova to Ukraine on the Chișinău–Kyiv night train is slow but relaxed, taking 17 hours and 54 minutes to complete the entire route.
Along the way, you’ll enjoy pleasant views of the Moldovan and Ukrainian countryside.
There is no dining car on the train, so it’s best to bring your own food and drinks for the journey.
However, you can buy tea and snacks from the provodnik or provodnitsa — the male or female train attendant in each carriage.
Ordering tea on Ukrainian night trains is always a pleasure, as it’s served in a glass held in a traditional cupholder (podstakannik).
You can also bring your own tea, coffee, or noodles on board, as each carriage has a samovar providing piping hot water.
The railway station in Chișinău. ©AndyBTravels
Conclusion
If you want to travel between Moldova and Ukraine, the Chișinău–Kyiv night train is by far your best option.
This convenient service runs every second day between the Moldovan and Ukrainian capitals, with accommodation on board ranging from deluxe sleepers (Spalny Vagon) to berths in an open-plan compartment (Platzkart).
Of course, the Chișinău–Kyiv night train pairs perfectly with a journey on the Bucharest–Chișinău ‘Prietenia’ night train!
