Chernobyl is not disconnected – here is the bus schedule

Did you know there are regular passenger buses 3 times per day to Chernobyl, and you can buy a ticket in Kyiv or from the driver?

Many people think of Chernobyl as a totally dead place where no people go and nothing happens – but that is not true at all. The Chernobyl Zone is where lots of people work, and many of them live here while they are on shift.

Obviously, not everyone drives – either through choice or for financial reasons. As a result, and shocking to many people – there is still a regular, multiple trips per day, bus service into the zone to the former Bus Station in Chernobyl.

Like many things related to work done in the zone – the timetable is just a rough guide, and sometimes it is a total work of fiction. For example, some weeks on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday the 17:40 bus will depart at 19:15. For this reason, it is best to call the bus station in Kyiv (+380 44 430 3554) and ask them for the next days schedule. Tickets can be brought in Kyiv at the bus station using cash or card, or from the driver using cash only.

For example, in March 2021 one of our friends tried to take this bus. She called the bus station in Kyiv, and they told her the only bus running was the 11:40 to Chernobyl, and the 1500 to Kyiv. However, she could get an earlier bus from Kyiv to Ivankiv and the connection to Chernobyl was possible from Ivankiv, in roughly the timings of the 07:35 departure.

It is not recommended for people who do not work in the zone to attempt to use this service, as the bus does not go to Pripyat, the nuclear plant, or stop anywhere. It drives directly to the very much inhabited area of Chernobyl. You will also need to arrange the permit to enter the zone somehow, otherwise you will be stuck at the checkpoint and the bus will leave without you.

If buses are your thing and you really want to try using this service, then we can organise this for a private trip, but unless there is a special request then all of our trips use modern, comfortable and reliable vehicles shown below, with safe and professional drivers.

Since you’re here…

Contamination Zone is a group of people who are united by our love for the Chernobyl Zone. We are a non-profit organisation and every year we raise thousands of euros for good causes in the Chernobyl Zone, such as firefighting equipment, monument restoration, animal welfare and more.

If you are planning or thinking about a trip to the zone, please check out our trips to Ukraine in 2023 and if you still have unanswered questions, feel free to get in touch!

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