Why train tickets are so hard to buy in Ukraine in summer 2025: what’s really happening and how to get your seat
The summer season of 2025 has turned into a real test for Ukrainian travelers: getting a train ticket on popular routes has become almost impossible, even weeks before departure. Social media are flooded with complaints about empty online booking screens, and scalpers have reappeared near railway stations. Why has this happened, who is profiting from the shortage, what is Ukrzaliznytsia (Ukrainian Railways) doing to address the problem and how can you avoid falling into a scalpers’ trap? Here is a comprehensive, fact-based, and practical guide.
There are several reasons, all adding up to a complex situation. Demand for rail travel in Ukraine has surged multiple times over. July and August are always peak vacation months when millions of Ukrainians travel for leisure or personal matters. But this year, new factors have amplified the pressure: a record number of organized groups (including children of fallen soldiers and families of defenders), hundreds of thousands of military personnel traveling on duty, and social travel for internally displaced persons.
According to Ukrzaliznytsia, over 70,000 military personnel traveled for official reasons in June–July, and the volume of children’s group travel increased by 50% compared to last year. Many group tickets are reserved separately and never enter open public sale.
The Hype, the Deficit, and… Scalpers
This year’s natural summer rush has been exacerbated by both technical and social factors. When demand outpaces supply, those looking to profit inevitably step in. Scalpers use special scripts and bots to automatically buy up tickets the instant they appear online. These tickets are then resold for much higher prices on social networks or through private groups. This creates a false impression that no tickets are available to ordinary passengers at all.
Ukrzaliznytsia has officially confirmed:
“In June–July 2025, we blocked more than 2,800 accounts engaged in ticket speculation. We detect suspicious bulk purchases using bots and respond firmly.”
Combating scalpers is becoming systematic: verification through the “Diia” app (Ukraine’s digital ID) has been introduced for international routes, and soon this will be expanded to domestic trains as well. This makes it harder for scalpers to buy and resell large batches of tickets using “grey” schemes.
What Is Ukrzaliznytsia Really Doing to Solve the Problem?
The company is responding quickly to these new challenges. First, additional trains have been added on the most popular routes at least eight in July alone. Second, Intercity trains have started running at night, easing congestion during peak hours. Third, 100 new carriages have already been ordered and will be put into operation soon.
Ukrzaliznytsia is also stepping up cybersecurity: it is introducing new algorithms to detect bots and regularly updates its protective systems. Special attention is paid to user authentication from implementing “Diia” to the prospect of personal identification on domestic routes.
How to Buy a Ticket and Avoid Falling Victim to Scalpers: Practical Tips
- Buy only through the official Ukrzaliznytsia website or app. This is where you’ll find the complete schedule and the most up-to-date information on seat availability. Ticket offices only have leftovers that were not snapped up online.
- Use the “autopurchase” feature. If no tickets are available submit a request for automatic purchase. In more than 50% of cases, this option works when someone returns a ticket to the system.
- Do not buy tickets “from the hands,” via social media, or through dubious intermediaries. The risk of getting a counterfeit or losing your money is much higher than purchasing a ticket officially.
- Monitor schedule updates. During the peak season, new trains or carriages may appear every day always check the app or website for the latest information.
- Prepare for new identification requirements. If you are traveling internationally, prepare your documents in the “Diia” app. Soon, this type of verification will become mandatory for domestic trains as well, making it much harder for scalpers to operate.
Will the Problem Be Solved?
The situation where scalpers buy up tickets and resell them at higher prices is not new for Ukraine, but right now it has reached such a scale that the government and businesses are being forced to act together. Ukrzaliznytsia is deploying modern protective tools, expanding its rolling stock, introducing new trains, and cracking down on manipulations. In the future, we can expect passenger identification for every ticket, widespread “autopurchase,” better bot control, and account blocking for suspicious activity. More carriages and trains will gradually bring positive change. But passengers themselves also need to be mindful: avoid shady resellers, use official online services, and follow the railway operator’s recommendations.
The current ticket crisis is not just a challenge for the transportation system, but a litmus test for the country as a whole: how quickly can we adapt, protect passengers, and change the old rules of the game? Ukrzaliznytsia’s new approaches, technology, and responsible passenger behavior are exactly what can give you a real chance to get the ticket you want without overpaying or unnecessary stress even in the busiest season.
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