A night-time curfew has been in force in Ukraine since February 2022: in Kyiv from midnight to 5 a.m.; in regions near the front it starts earlier and lasts longer. During those hours you may not be out on the street without a special permit, and public transport does not run. Each oblast sets its own times and changes them when needed — check them locally.
When does the curfew apply in which region?
It depends on the oblast: the regional military administrations set the start and the end. As a guide (approximate values, as of September 2026, please check before you travel):
| Region | Curfew (approximate) |
|---|---|
| Kyiv (city and oblast) | 00:00–05:00 |
| Lviv and the west | mostly 00:00–05:00 |
| Odesa | mostly 00:00–05:00 |
| Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro | an earlier start is possible, e.g. from 23:00 |
| Communities near the front (Kherson, Donetsk and others) | considerably longer, in places from early evening; changes at short notice |
You can find out the current times at your hotel, from your host organisation or through the channels of the relevant oblast administration. After heavy attacks, regions may temporarily extend the curfew.
What is prohibited during the curfew, and what is allowed?
Being on the streets and in public spaces is prohibited — on foot as well as by car. The following remains allowed:
- staying in your hotel, flat or a shelter;
- going to a shelter during an air-raid alert — the alert takes precedence over the curfew;
- travelling with a special permit (ambulance service, critical infrastructure, accredited persons);
- medical emergencies: call 103 or your insurer's emergency assistance centre; the ambulance service operates at night too.
Restaurants, shops and local transport generally close one to two hours before the start so that staff can get home. Plan your evening accordingly.
What happens if my train or bus arrives at night?
You stay in the station until the curfew ends. Long-distance trains and buses run at night as well, and the major stations — Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa — have waiting areas open around the clock. Taxis and ride-hailing services such as Bolt or Uklon only resume once the curfew is over. Practical consequences for planning:
- If possible, choose a connection that arrives between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m.
- If you arrive at night, expect to wait in the station and bring water, a power bank and warm clothing.
- Tell the hotel your arrival time; some station hotels are close enough to reach before the curfew begins.
Connections and journey times are in the guide Getting to Ukraine from Germany.
What are the consequences of a violation?
Anyone found outside without a permit is stopped by the police or a military patrol, checked, and must expect a fine; personal details are recorded, and in unclear cases you may be taken in for verification. The level of fines changes and varies by region — do not rely on figures from forums. Always carry your passport: it is requested at checkpoints during the day as well.
Does the curfew apply to drivers too?
Yes. During the curfew private vehicles may not be on the road, not even in transit; petrol stations are closed or serve only authorised persons. If you travel in your own car, plan the stages so that you reach the day's destination well before the curfew starts — allowing for waits of several hours at the border. More in the guide Driving to Ukraine.
How are the curfew and air-raid alerts related?
Not directly: the curfew applies every night at fixed times, while an air-raid alert is triggered when there is a specific threat — at any time of day. Install the app «Повітряна тривога» (Air Alert) and select your region; it reports the start and the all-clear. During an alert, go to the nearest shelter (the sign «Укриття», metro stations, underground car parks), at night too. For an overview of the security situation see the guide Can you travel to Ukraine right now?
What should I prepare before the trip?
- Check the curfew hours of every region on your route and choose arrival times accordingly.
- Book accommodation for the first night firmly and save the address offline.
- Keep your passport and policy to hand: health insurance for Ukraine is mandatory on entry; the Complete plan with war risk costs €24.75 for 14 days, and the PDF arrives in about 15 minutes.
- Save the emergency numbers: 112 (emergency), 103 (ambulance) and the number of the emergency assistance centre from your policy.