How to travel abroad by train: why Uzhhorod is an ideal transit point for train travel to Europe

In recent years, the train has again become a popular means of transport chosen by Ukrainians for traveling around Ukraine and Europe.

Our city of Uzhhorod is the westernmost city of Ukraine, a large railway junction from which routes to many European countries diverge. An ideal point to make a stop, spend the night, relax and continue your journey in peace.

Why the train is a convenient way to travel abroad from Ukraine

It is convenience that becomes the main advantage of choosing the railway when planning a trip to Europe:

• night trains - saving time and money. The journey takes place while you sleep, you do not lose a day on the road, you do not pay for a hotel that night;
• comfort on the road - in compartment cars you can sleep, work or rest before crossing the border. But even a reserved seat in modern Ukrzaliznytsia cars is more comfortable than a night bus;
• predictable schedule - the train does not depend on traffic jams, and arriving at the destination station allows you to continue the route calmly;
• the romance of the journey - the sound of wheels, landscapes outside the window, random conversations, tea in a glass with a coaster. A train is a journey when you see how the landscape changes, how Kyiv turns into Podillia, Podillia into Prykarpattia, Prykarpattia into Zakarpattia. Europe does not begin suddenly - it slowly unfolds outside your window.

Uzhgorod as a railway hub: geography of opportunities

Direct trains connect Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhia to Uzhgorod. Most of the flights are night, which makes transit through Uzhgorod logical and comfortable. Upon arrival, you are actually near the border with the EU.

Uzhgorod has a unique location in terms of traveling abroad. So:

• to the border with Slovakia - 5 km;
• to the border with Hungary (Chop) - 20 km;
• to Košice (Slovakia) - 90 km;
• to Miskolc (Hungary) - 150-160 km;
• to Budapest - 270 km.

That is why, thinking about how convenient it is to go abroad by train, the answer increasingly leads travelers to the route through Transcarpathia.

Uzhgorod railway station is not just a station, but an architectural monument with original decorative elements. The station was built in 1904–1905 during the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It served the city for exactly 100 years. After reconstruction in 2004, it is a real architectural calling card of the city and regularly enters the ratings of the most aesthetic railway stations in the country. The station is compact, not gigantic, which makes it possible to quickly orient yourself, not get lost and not get confused. From the platform to the exit it is only 2 minutes walk. It is nice to start or end your journey in such a place.

Uzhgorod itself is not a terminal station, but a transit point on the way to Europe. Railway connections through Uzhgorod exist with:

• Slovakia (via Chop): Chop is a border station where the gauge changes (from 1520 mm to 1435 mm of the European standard). Here passengers change to European trains;
• Hungary (via Chop) - after Chop, trains go to Záhony - the first Hungarian station, from where there are connections to all of Hungary. Budapest is a large transport hub, from where it is easy to fly low-cost airlines or continue your journey by train to other cities in Europe;
• if you are looking for information on how to get to Vienna by train, the optimal route also passes through Uzhhorod. First, take the train to Budapest, and from there to Vienna, trains run regularly, the journey takes about 2.5–3 hours. This option is much more comfortable than many-hour bus journeys.

Why you should stop in Uzhhorod: the logic of a smart trip

Many travelers mistakenly try to cross the border immediately after arriving by night train. However, it will be much more comfortable to stop for the night or at least for a day, because Uzhhorod is a calm, compact European city. Here you can:

• get some sleep and rest after the road;
• have a leisurely breakfast;
• walk around the historical center;
• sit in a cozy cafe with a cup of coffee;
• gather yourself without haste before the next stage of the trip.

This format allows you to start the European part of the route in a resourceful state - without fatigue and stress.

Emigrand Art Hotel: smart transit strategy

If you are looking for a place to stay in Uzhhorod between trains, want to relax comfortably and dream of a warm bed with snow-white bedding, you should book a room at Emigrand Art Hotel.

Emigrand Hotel in Uzhhorod is a modern pop-art hotel that combines modern European service with a unique atmosphere. The hotel is conveniently located, from where it is easy to get to all the necessary locations of Uzhhorod for a traveler and is ideal for transit tourists:

• 7-10 minutes walk to the center, in particular to Teatralna Square and Korzo Street;
• the road to the railway station will take about 25 minutes on foot. The distance itself is about 2.2 km. By taxi - no more than 5-7 minutes;
• a quiet area - a convenient place to sleep after the road;
• there is parking if you are driving your own car.

Emigrand Art Hotel is a convenient option for a transit stop. We offer:

• comfortable rooms for a full rest;
• a unique art space with a creative atmosphere;
• the opportunity to recover after the road;
• delicious buffet breakfasts;
• free Wi-Fi;
• convenient location for onward travel to Hungary or Slovakia;
• personal service and assistance in organizing your vacation;
• a calm atmosphere before the next stage of your trip.

Uzhhorod is a very ancient and beautiful city, it is worth seeing, even if you are here in transit. And if you are already here, be sure to take a walk around the city to enjoy its ancient streets with architectural monuments, delicious cuisine and aromatic coffee.

Plan your trip wisely. Don't try to drive the entire route in one day. Give yourself time. Stop in Uzhhorod at the Emigrand Art Hotel for a comfortable stay and continue your journey with renewed energy.

You can book a room and take advantage of our special offers on our website or directly contact our managers by phone numbers listed in the contacts section.