Getting There & Away: Lviv

Air Travel Pre-War

Airport & Airlines

Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO) was the main airport. Major carriers included Ryanair, Wizz Air, 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 city center.
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 rental desks.
ATMs and currency exchange services.
Wi-Fi 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) served 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 international travelers during the current conflict.

Active Crossings

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

Train Connections

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

International Routes

Direct trains from Warsaw and Krakow (Poland).
Direct trains from Budapest (Hungary), Vienna (Austria), Chișinău (Moldova), Košice (Slovakia).
Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) operates these services.

Bus Travel

Numerous international and domestic bus services operate 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 conditions vary; 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 stations aids smooth departure.

Departure Timing

Train/Bus: Arrive 30-60 minutes before departure for domestic routes.
International routes: Plan 1-2 hours in advance due to border controls.
Passport control and customs occur at the border.

Station Facilities

Lviv Main Railway Station offers various 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 border controls.

Luggage Storage

Lviv Main Railway Station offers luggage storage.

Departure Checklist

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

Getting There & Away