On country way from Germany to Moscow via Ukraine (not possible now)


Unfortunately since the Ukraine war it is not possible anymore to take this route. The border between Ukraine and Russia is closed and there is a travel warning for Ukraine due to the war. When the war is eventually over then you can take this route again therefore I describe this route.  

There are two different ways to get to Moscow. The first route goes via Ukraine which will be explained here. The other route goes via Belarus but the border crossing Belarus – Russia is officially only allowed for citizens of Russia / Belarus (there is a risk that you will be sent back at the border).

There is no continous train until Moscow (via Ukraine) therefore you have to change the trains several times. You can make nice stopovers in Vienna, Budapest, Transylvania, Bucharest, Chisinau, Tranistria, Odessa and Kiew.


Germany - Bukarest via Vienna and Budapest:  On country way to Istanbul

Nighttrain Bucharest - Chişinău / daily

  • https://bileteinternationale.cfrcalatori.ro/en/booking/search 
  • Exchange rate (rounded): 1 Euro = 5 Lei
  • Departure 7:30 pm and arrival 8 am (13 hours)
  • Budget ticket couchette for 4 persons 100 Lei / 20 Euro; regular ticket couchette for 4 persons 160 Lei / 33 Euro; sleeper cabin for 2 persons 184 Lei / 37 Euro; sleeper cabin for 1 person 242 Lei / 50 Euro

 

Chisinau – Transnistria – Odesa (Ukraine)

Transnistria officially belongs to Moldova but is independent and is not recognized by any country. Transnistria is pro-Russian and the independence is supported by Russia. Due to the Ukraine war it is not recommended to go there.

  • Several daily buses to Transnistria / Tiraspol which mostly continue to Odessa
  • Ticket approx. 2 Euro / 2 hours
  • Transnistria / Tiraspol – Odessa: 2 hours / 3 Euro
  • If you want to avoid Transnistria then you can also take the bus which go via Palanca

 

Odesa – Kiev

  • Nighttrain approx. 10 hours
  • Bus hourly approx. 6 hours

 

Kyiv – Moscow
Before Corona and the Ukraine war there were several daily night trains (14 hours).


Other route via Lviv

The quicker route goes from Budapest via Lviv to Kyiv.




Moscow without plane, train Russia, train Ukraine, train Romania, train Moldova, Bucaresti - Chisinau nighttrain, Kyiv-Moscow nighttrain