Ukrzaliznytsia is implementing new rules for purchasing tickets on popular routes, particularly from Odesa to Lviv and Kyiv. Starting from August 1, 2025, mandatory verification through the Diia.Signature service will be introduced on a trial basis.
Purchasing tickets through ticket offices will be unavailable
To buy or return tickets for certain domestic trains, passengers will need to verify their identity via Diia.Signature starting from August 1, 2025, according to the press service of Ukrzaliznytsia.
The company notes that these new rules aim to reduce potential abuses during the purchase of train tickets.
Initially, verification will apply to five popular routes:
- No. 105/106 Odesa – Kyiv;
- No. 12 Lviv – Odesa;
- No. 91/92 Lviv – Kyiv;
- No. 29/30 Kyiv – Uzhhorod;
- No. 27/28 Kyiv – Chop.
Purchasing tickets for these routes through ticket offices will not be possible, emphasized Ukrzaliznytsia.
The new rules do not apply to tickets for military personnel – they remain available through special services and the Army+ app.
Ukrainians face difficulties purchasing tickets – reasons behind it
Every summer, Ukrainians encounter challenges when buying tickets for popular destinations. This year, demand for trains in July and August has surged, and Ukrzaliznytsia explained the reasons behind this:
This summer, there is an abnormal load on popular routes. For example, the load on trains heading to Yaremche and Bukovel reached 460%.
In addition to tourists, many organized groups travel – from frontline areas, families of internally displaced persons, children of military personnel, and heroes.
To ensure everyone can travel, the company is increasing the number of trains: 8 new routes have already been added to popular destinations, and Intercity trains have started running at night. Furthermore, an additional 100 carriages have been ordered.
However, the situation is complicated by resellers. 2800 accounts that violated the rules have already been blocked. Validation is in place for international routes through Diia, and it may soon be implemented for domestic routes during peak season.
Ukrainians are urged to buy tickets online
“This is how 90% of sales are realized,” the railway workers explain.
The company also urged passengers to use the Auto Purchase service, which automatically buys tickets from returns. It is noted that out of 403,000 requests, 229,000 were successful.
