Kyiv Public Transport

Kyiv Metro

The Kyiv Metro serves as the backbone of the Ukrainian capital’s public transportation system, seamlessly connecting various districts across the sprawling cityscape. Operational since 1960, it has grown to encompass three lines, extending over 70 kilometres and including 52 stations, each uniquely adorned with artistic and architectural elements reflective of Ukrainian culture and history.

Kyiv metro consists of three working lines – red, green and blue, 52 stations with 3 interchange nodes. They are:

1. «Majdan Nezalezhnosti»-«Kreshhatyk»;
2. «Palatc sportu»-«Ploshcha Ukrainskyh Geroyiv»;
3. «Teatralna»-«Zoloti Vorota»

Its operation hours are tailored to accommodate a wide range of schedules, typically running from early morning, around 5:30 AM until midnight, ensuring that the service is accessible for early commuters and late-night travellers alike.

Payment for rides within the Kyiv Metro system is facilitated through a convenient and modern method. Passengers can use contactless tokens, rechargeable smart cards, or even NFC-enabled devices and QR codes for entry, moving away from the traditional paper tickets.

This shift towards digital and contactless payment methods reflects the system’s adaptation to contemporary needs, ensuring a smoother and faster transit experience. The cost of a single trip is 8 UAH, regardless of the duration of the trip. 

Rush hours in the Kyiv metro in the morning – between 7.30 a.m. and 9.30 a.m., in the evening –  6.00 p.m. – 7.30 p.m.

Interesting facts about the Kyiv metro

• There is cellular coverage of mobile operators at all stations of Kyiv Metro.
• The station “Arsenalna” is the deepest in the world and is located at a depth of 105.5 meters (the distance from the ground to the platform).
• One of the central stations, “Zoloti Vorota” (the Golden Gates), is in the list of Top – 10 most beautiful stations, according to “The Guardian”.
• After the EURO-2012, the announcements in the Kyiv subway are duplicated in English.

Kyiv Bus

The Kyiv bus network complements the city’s public transportation system, offering expansive coverage that reaches areas beyond the Metro’s reach. Operating with a broad spectrum of routes, the buses in Kyiv cater to a diverse array of transportation needs.

The operational hours of Kyiv’s buses are wide-ranging, with most services starting early in the morning, around 6:00 AM, and continuing until late at night, approximately until 10:00-12:00 PM, depending on the route.

Payment for bus rides in Kyiv has embraced modern technology, allowing passengers to use a variety of methods for convenience and efficiency. Apart from traditional cash payments to the driver upon boarding, passengers can also use contactless smart cards and NFC-enabled devices for fare payment.

The cost of a single trip is 8 UAH, regardless of the duration of the trip. Always punch your ticket or else it will be considered invalid in case of inspector’s checkup.

There are also 6 Express Bus routes. On these routes, buses make fewer stops, only at some main stations. This allows to pass the route and to get to the destination much faster.
Working hours, in general, are from 5.25 a.m. till 10.00 p.m. But they are quite different at different routes. Some start at 6 a.m, some start at 8 a.m.

Kyiv Trolleybus

Kyiv trolleys allow you to get to almost any part of the city from early morning until late evening. The small speed of moving of this type of transport allows you to fully enjoy the view outside the window. The trolley park has been significantly updated and this process continues nowadays.

Working hours are from 6:00 a.m. till 10:00 p.m, more precise time and frequency of a particular route you can find on the information boards at bus stops. The cost of a single trip is 8 UAH, regardless of the duration of the trip.

Kyiv Tram

With a history that dates back to the late 19th century, the tram network combines historical charm with the demands of modern urban mobility, offering a reliable and scenic mode of transport across the Ukrainian capital.

Tram routes are functioning on both banks of Kyiv city. But the rails of the tram lines are not interconnected, i.e. there is no route to reach from the left bank of the city to the right bank and vice versa.

Kyiv tram system is mainly concentrated in the sleeping areas of Kyiv and small sections of tram tracks are located closer to the central part of the capital of Ukraine. The main routes are functioning to eliminate the extra load to the other kinds of public transport in districts, where the subway doesn’t function and to help people quickly get to the nearest metro station.

Operating hours for the Kyiv tram system are designed to cater to a broad spectrum of users, from early morning commuters to late-night travelers. Trams typically start running from around 5:30 AM and continue until midnight, ensuring that the service is available for the majority of the day.

When it comes to payment, the Kyiv tram network has adapted to modern technologies, offering several convenient methods for fare payment. Passengers can pay for their rides using contactless smart cards, NFC-enabled smartphones, or traditional tokens, which can be purchased at kiosks and vending machines located at tram stops and other strategic locations throughout the city. Ticket price is 8 UAH.

Kyiv Private Bus – Marshrutka

You will never see anywhere in the whole world such kind of city transport as “marshrutka”. In other words, it is called – Kyiv route taxi. It is a very popular kind of transport in Kyiv because these compact mini busses have rather frequent routes and they can quickly take you to any part of the city.

Payment for rides on marshrutkas is usually made directly to the driver in cash at the time of boarding. Some routes and operators have begun to accept payments through contactless smart cards or mobile payment systems, but this practice is not yet widespread. The cash payment system means that passengers need to have the exact fare or wait for change, which can sometimes slow down the boarding process.

The price for a ride on a marshrutka is generally competitive with other forms of public transport in Kyiv, offering a good balance between cost and convenience. Fares are set by the private operators and can vary slightly depending on the route’s length and the specific service area.

Kyiv Funicular

The Kyiv Funicular is a distinctive and historic mode of transportation that offers both practical commuter services and a unique tourist experience in the heart of Ukraine’s capital. The journey on the funicular is a brief one, covering a distance of approximately 200 meters with a vertical elevation change of about 75 meters, yet it provides a memorable experience with its scenic views and historical charm.

This type of transport enables to shorten the way and to get quickly from Podil to the Upper Town, as well as to enjoy the scenic view of the Dnipro and the old part of the city. Kyiv funicular is an exotic rail transport, which directly connected Podil and the Upper Town in 1905. The ticket price is 8 UAH. 

• Working hours are 06.30 a.m. – 11 p.m.
• Duration time of movement of the carriage is up to 3 minutes.
• Stations are located apart from each other at height 76 meters.
• In 2015, the funicular was reconstructed. The transport mechanism, as well as the interior of the carriages, were renovated.
• There is a wi-fi coverage in each wagon.
• The lower station is located at Poshtova Square,33, and the upper station – at Desyatynna Str.,1.

Kyiv City train

Kyiv city train runs, starting from October 2011. The total route is the ring from Darnitsa station and back. The cost of one single trip is 8 UAH. The payment for the travel is carried out by a ticket, a check with a bar code or a token, when the latter is lowered into the turnstile, a check is being printed, which serves as a confirmation of the trip payment. Tickets are available at the ticket desk at the stations.

• Working hours are 5.58 a.m. – 20.29 p.m.
• In the morning and evening “rush hours,” the interval between the trains is from 17 to 30 minutes, but in the middle of the day – from 9.49 a.m. till 16.34 p.m. the city train doesn’t run.
• The train makes a full 50 km long circle along the route within 1 hour 30 min.
• On weekends, the number of trips is reduced because of fewer passengers.