Tbilisi to Kyiv has long been one of the most popular directions out of Georgia. If you are planning this trip and looking for tickets, this guide brings together everything worth knowing before you book.
The Ukrainian capital is a rewarding city to visit: striking architecture, a long and complicated history and a culture that keeps drawing travellers from every corner of the world.
Important update: there are currently no direct Tbilisi – Kyiv flights
Ukrainian airspace has been closed to civil aviation since February 2022, and neither of Kyiv’s airports — Boryspil (KBP) or Zhuliany (IEV) — is handling commercial flights. The direct services described below (FlyUia, SkyUp Airlines, Bees Airlines) are therefore suspended. Today you reach Kyiv by flying into a neighbouring country and continuing overland by train or bus; the routes that actually work right now are set out at the end of this article.
Which airlines flew from Tbilisi to Kyiv?
Tbilisi International Airport offers a wide choice of carriers, which makes it easy to pick a departure time and a fare that suit you.
The airline that served the Tbilisi–Kyiv route the longest was FlyUia. Ukraine International Airlines operated between Tbilisi International Airport and Kyiv Boryspil Airport.
The second Ukrainian carrier on the route was SkyUp Airlines. Like FlyUia, SkyUp flew from Tbilisi to Boryspil.
The newest arrival in Georgian skies, in 2021, was Bees Airlines — one of Ukraine’s most budget-friendly airlines. Unlike the other two, Bees Airlines flew from Tbilisi to Kyiv Zhuliany Airport.
Which airline offered the cheapest Tbilisi – Kyiv tickets?
As mentioned above, Bees Airlines was a low-cost carrier, so it was usually the one with the best fares on this route.
How long was the flight from Tbilisi to Kyiv?
The direct flight between Tbilisi and Kyiv took 2 hours and 55 minutes.
When is the best time to visit Kyiv?
The best months for Kyiv are May and June, or September. The weather is pleasant and comfortable, and the city is not overrun with tourists, which makes for a calmer, more enjoyable trip.
How to find cheap tickets to Kyiv
- Book 1.5 to 2 months in advance.
- Travel midweek rather than at the weekend — demand on working days is lower and fares tend to follow.
- Buy both legs of the journey at once; airlines and agencies usually price a return better than two one-way tickets.
- Use a search engine that gathers the airlines and flights in one place, so you can compare and book in a couple of minutes.
You can search and book online easily with our system: choose your departure and destination cities, enter the dates you want, and the system will show you every available option so you can pick the fare that fits your budget.
How to reach Kyiv today — the routes that work
The journey comes in two parts: a flight from Georgia to a country bordering Ukraine, then an overland leg — train or bus — to Kyiv.
Step 1 — the flight from Georgia
- Warsaw (WAW) — LOT Polish Airlines flies non-stop from Tbilisi International Airport; the flight takes around 4 hours. From Kutaisi International Airport, Wizz Air serves Warsaw, Katowice and Poznań, and these routes often carry the lowest fares.
- Chisinau (RMO) — FlyOne operates between Tbilisi and the Moldovan capital; the flight takes roughly 3 hours.
- Budapest, Vienna and Bucharest — alternative hubs with direct trains or buses on to Kyiv.
Step 2 — the train to Kyiv
Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) runs regular international services from Europe. Approximate journey times:
- Warsaw – Kyiv: about 16–17 hours (overnight service)
- Przemyśl – Kyiv: about 10 hours
- Chełm – Kyiv: about 12 hours
- Chisinau – Kyiv: about 17 hours
- Budapest – Kyiv: about 20 hours
- Vienna – Kyiv: about 23 hours
Tickets are sold on the Ukrainian Railways website and mobile app and normally go on sale around 20 days before departure. Popular services sell out quickly, so plan your booking ahead.
Step 3 — the bus, as an alternative
- Warsaw – Kyiv: about 16–18 hours
- Vienna or Berlin – Kyiv: about 23–25 hours
- Prague – Kyiv: about 24 hours
Buses run to a more flexible schedule and are often cheaper, but waiting times at the border can be considerably longer than by train.
Practical tips before you travel
- Border formalities by train usually take between 30 minutes and 2 hours; by bus the wait can stretch to several hours.
- Carry your passport and some cash, including Ukrainian hryvnia.
- Check which border crossings are open before you set off — the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service publishes this information.
- Read your own foreign ministry’s travel advice for Ukraine, and bear in mind that standard travel insurance often excludes the country.
- Flight, train and bus schedules change frequently — confirm everything directly with the carrier shortly before departure.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a direct flight from Tbilisi to Kyiv right now?
No. Ukrainian airspace is closed to civil aviation and Kyiv’s airports are not accepting commercial flights.
How long does the trip from Tbilisi to Kyiv take?
Via Warsaw, counting the flight, the connection and the overnight train, the whole journey takes roughly a day.
Which route is the cheapest?
Usually Kutaisi to Warsaw or Katowice with Wizz Air, followed by a train or bus to Kyiv. The final price depends on the season and how far ahead you book.
When will Ukrainian airspace reopen?
No date has been set. A phased reopening has been discussed, with Lviv airport named as the likely first step, but no official decision has been taken.
Where can I buy the tickets?
You can search and book flights to Warsaw, Chisinau, Budapest and other hubs through our search system.
Or call us to book your tickets: 551 907 907
