EXPLORE Kyiv

Kyiv arrival: KBP is closed and the war remains extremely real

KBP is Boryspil International Airport, the principal airport serving Kyiv, Ukraine. It is not currently accepting ordinary civilian passenger arrivals because Ukraine’s airspace remains closed during Russia’s full-scale invasion. The airport is maintaining infrastructure and discussing a future restart with airlines, but those preparations are not a flight schedule. Do not buy an itinerary from anyone implying that Boryspil is operating normally. Official United States guidance says do not travel to Ukraine for any reason, while United Kingdom guidance advises against all travel to Kyiv and most of the country.

Kyiv transport: arrive overland only if the trip is essential

There is no current airport-to-city transfer to plan from KBP because civilian flights are suspended. Travelers entering Ukraine despite official warnings use land borders and international rail or road connections, then continue through a transport system exposed to air alerts, curfews, delays and attacks. Border queues can be long, and official guidance recommends carrying food, water, warm clothing, medication and fuel. Rail ticketing and communications have also suffered cyberattacks. If travel is genuinely essential, obtain current advice from the Ukrainian authorities, coordinate reception and shelter plans with a responsible local organization, and preserve multiple exit routes. Tourism can wait. Missiles have not adopted your vacation schedule.

Kyiv safety: do not travel for tourism

Do not travel to Kyiv for tourism while the war continues. Russian missile and drone attacks strike civilian infrastructure and urban areas, causing deaths, injuries and disruptions to electricity, transport and communications. Air raid alerts require immediate movement to an appropriate shelter, not a better camera angle. Curfews and military restrictions can change, and consular support may be limited. Never photograph military sites, checkpoints or air defenses. Keep identity documents, medication, power banks, water and offline emergency information ready. If you are in Ukraine for an essential reason, monitor official alerts continuously and follow local authority instructions without improvisation.

Sources

• Boryspil International Airport operational readiness update
• EUROCONTROL Ukraine airspace status
• United Kingdom government Ukraine travel warning
• United Kingdom government Ukraine safety and transport guidance
• United States government Ukraine travel advisory

Last verified: September 5, 2026