How to Get to Lviv. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel Pre-War

Airport & Airlines

Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) was the main airport. Major carriers included Ryanair, A Low-cost european airline, LOT Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Ukraine International Airlines (UIA).

Routes & Availability

Connections to various European hubs (Warsaw, Krakow, Vienna).
Prices generally rose during summer and major holidays.
Direct flights outside Europe were limited.

Airport Transfers Pre-War

Several options served travel from the airport to the city center or accommodation.

Options

Trolleybus: Route 9 to the central area.
Marshrutka (minibus): Routes 48, 9, and 29.
Taxi: Available outside terminal or via ride-sharing apps (Bolt, Uber).

Flight Deals

Explore deals through Dollar Flight Club.

Flight Search

Find options on Skyscanner for your journey.

Car Rentals

Check availability via DiscoverCars.com.

Airport Information Pre-War

Airport Facilities

Duty-free shops and cafes.
Car hire counters.
ATMs and currency exchange services.
Wi-Internet access.

Typical Routes

Connecting Lviv to European hubs.
Common destinations: Warsaw, Krakow, Vienna, Berlin, Istanbul.
Seasonal flight variations.
Advance booking generally advised for best prices.

Visual Context

Lviv Airport

Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) was used as the main air entry point.

Past Connectivity

Numerous European airlines provided direct and connecting flights.

Current Status

The airport is currently closed to civilian flights due to ongoing conflict.

Land Transportation

Border Crossings

Land transportation marks the main way to access Lviv for travelers from abroad during the current conflict.

Active Crossings

Borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova.
Common points of entry from Poland (Medyka-Shehyni, Korczowa-Krakovets).
Waiting periods can be very long (several hours or more).

Train Connections

International trains present a broadly recommended option for travel from Europe to Lviv.

International Routes

Non-stop trains from Warsaw and Krakow (Poland).
Trains without changes from Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria), Chișinău (Moldova), Košice (Slovakia).
Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) operates these services.

Bus Travel

Numerous international and domestic bus services run to and from Lviv, offering broad connectivity.

Bus Options

International: FlixBus, Eurolines, Autolux connect to European cities.
Domestic: A wide network links Lviv to most Ukrainian cities.
Confirm departure station when booking (Stryiska for international, Bus Station #2 for some domestic).

Self-Driving & Road Safety

For greater independence, self-driving is an option, though current circumstances modify conditions.

Driving Notes

International Driving Permit (IDP) and national license required.
Road quality changes; major highways generally acceptable.
Current conflict makes road travel outside Lviv potentially hazardous.

Important Travel Notes

Lviv's airport currently closed to civilian flights.
Expect significant delays at land border crossings.
Road travel risks outside Lviv due to conflict.

Sea/river arrivals are not applicable for inland Lviv.
Book train tickets well in advance, especially for international routes.
Carry vehicle registration and valid international insurance ("Green Card").

Departure Information

Exit Procedures

No standard departure tax applies for leaving Ukraine. Planning arrival times at depots aids smooth departure.

Departure Timing

Train/Bus: Show UP 30-ONE hour prior to departure for domestic routes.
International flights: Plan 1-2 hours in advance due to border controls.
Passport control and customs take place at the border.

Station Facilities

Lviv Main Railway Station offers different amenities for departing travelers, making waits more comfortable.

Available Amenities

Shops for last-minute needs.
Cafes for refreshments.
Comfortable waiting areas.

No Exit Fees

Departure from Ukraine bears no standard taxes.

Allow Buffer Time

International departures require extra time for customs and immigrations.

Luggage Storage

Lviv Main Rail Depot offers luggage storage.

Departure Checklist

Confirm your transport departure point and schedule. Keep your passport and tickets readily accessible for checks.

How to Get to Lviv