In Ukraine, you can choose from several types of train tickets depending on your budget, comfort level, and travel distance. Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and passengers can select the type of carriage and ticket that best suits their needs and preferences.
Trains in Ukraine offer several types of carriages and tickets:
1. Platskart (Open Sleeping Car).
With this ticket, you get a place in an open carriage with upper and lower berths, as well as side ones. There are 54 places in total. This is the cheapest ticket type, suitable for any travel length — you can lie down and rest, even during an overnight trip.
Pros: very affordable, functional for long journeys.
Cons: less privacy, noisier, and limited comfort for longer trips.
With this ticket, you get a place in an open carriage with upper and lower berths, as well as side ones. There are 54 places in total. This is the cheapest ticket type, suitable for any travel length — you can lie down and rest, even during an overnight trip.
Pros: very affordable, functional for long journeys.
Cons: less privacy, noisier, and limited comfort for longer trips.
2. Kupe (Compartment Car).
A kupe ticket gives you a berth in a closed compartment for four people. It’s quieter and offers more privacy than platskart, making it great for long-distance travel.
Pros: more comfortable and private.
Cons: more expensive than platskart.
A kupe ticket gives you a berth in a closed compartment for four people. It’s quieter and offers more privacy than platskart, making it great for long-distance travel.
Pros: more comfortable and private.
Cons: more expensive than platskart.
3. SV (Sleeper Car).
This type features a two-person compartment, sometimes with a shower and toilet. Passengers enjoy maximum privacy and comfort, perfect for long trips.
Pros: high comfort and privacy.
Cons: much more expensive and not available on all trains.
4. Lux (Luxury or Exclusive Compartment).
Modern compartments for one or two people, equipped with full amenities for maximum comfort and privacy.
Pros: premium comfort.
Cons: very expensive and available only on select trains.
5. Intercity / Intercity+.
These are modern trains with soft seats, air conditioning, and power outlets, designed for short- and medium-distance trips where passengers travel sitting rather than lying down.
Pros: fast, modern, and comfortable for daytime journeys; you can choose between standard and business class.
Cons: more expensive than platskart; seats can sell out quickly on popular routes.
These are modern trains with soft seats, air conditioning, and power outlets, designed for short- and medium-distance trips where passengers travel sitting rather than lying down.
Pros: fast, modern, and comfortable for daytime journeys; you can choose between standard and business class.
Cons: more expensive than platskart; seats can sell out quickly on popular routes.
Additionally, Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) now offers “women-only compartments” designed for women and children under six years old. The ticket price is the same as a regular kupe ticket, but it provides more comfort and psychological safety for female passengers and their children.
These tickets can only be purchased online through the Ukrzaliznytsia website or mobile app and are available only on select routes.
These tickets can only be purchased online through the Ukrzaliznytsia website or mobile app and are available only on select routes.
Written by
Olha Yatsyshyna
Philologist, PhD in Pedagogical Sciences, lecturer at Ternopil Volodymyr Hnatyuk National Pedagogical University. Olha researches the internationalization of higher education and intercultural communication.
Translated by
Mike Svystun
Software developer, entrepreneur.