Renting a car or buying a train ticket is one of the most important decisions to make before a trip. Consider these factors when deciding whether to travel around Ukraine by car or by train:
- Geographical range (the train makes it easier to cover a larger area. You can travel the Zaporizhzhia – Lviv route within a day by both train and car, but the level of comfort is very different)
- You need to take the train timetable into account (Ukraine has a well-developed rail network, but you cannot always get everywhere by rail at the time you need)
- City or countryside (a car is a hassle in big cities but useful in rural areas)
- Number of travellers (a car can be cheaper if two or more people share it)
- Luggage (a car is better if you are not good at packing light)
- Children (car trips are more flexible; trains give more room to move about)
Reasons to travel by train
So let's look at the advantages of trains. Travelling around Ukraine by train can be an exciting experience with plenty of benefits. Here are a few reasons to choose the train for your next trip: comfort and rest, spontaneity and flexibility, time savings, the chance to enjoy culture and nature, and an eco-friendly choice.
Compared with a road trip, a train journey can be far less stressful and more convenient. You don't have to worry about parking or road signs. Instead, you can enjoy the scenery, relax in a comfortable seat and enjoy the moment. You can also use your time efficiently by travelling overnight and arriving at your next destination in the morning, ready for new adventures.
By train you can cover a long distance quickly and effortlessly, simply sipping tea in the carriage and watching the landscapes fly past. If you don't yet know where to go, you can simply choose one of the most popular rail routes. Train travel can also be an eco-friendly alternative that helps protect the environment and reduce CO2 emissions.
Advantages of renting a car
Although many people dream of travelling to the clickety-clack soundtrack of the rails, and most first trips are best made by train, it is worth considering the convenience of driving. Behind the wheel you are completely free to go wherever you want, whenever you want.
Driving is ideal for trips focused on the countryside and places that can only be reached by car, where there are usually fewer tourists and more locals. If you spot a charming hilltop town from the window, you can easily stop and stay a while. If you are exploring the lakes of the Carpathians, you will be glad to have a car.
The mobility of a car lets you find cheaper accommodation in small towns and away from railway lines. You can also take more chances by arriving in a town without a booking: if the hotels are full, just drive on to the next town. And driving is a godsend for those who cannot travel light. For two or more people travelling together (especially families with small children), renting a car can be simpler than travelling by train.
