What is Intercity?
Intercity (IC) is a daytime passenger train that provides fast connections between regions. Its average speed is 80 km/h and its top speed is 160 km/h. The train has 1st and 2nd class carriages, and 3rd class carriages can also be added.
Intercity services use multiple-unit trains or locomotive-hauled passenger carriages. An Intercity train must meet certain requirements, such as a scheduled speed of 80 km/h or more, 1st and 2nd class carriages, its own emblem and a uniform livery.
The carriages also carry pictograms for the various services: seating, carriages for passengers with children, no smoking, bar car, air conditioning, bicycle spaces, compartments for passengers with disabilities and a carriage with Wi-Fi.
How does Intercity differ from Intercity+?
Intercity and Intercity+ differ in several ways:
1. Speed:
- Intercity: an average scheduled speed of 80 km/h to 160 km/h.
- Intercity+: a scheduled speed of 90 km/h or more, with a permitted speed of up to 200 km/h.
2. Comfort and services:
- Intercity: a standard level of comfort and services.
- Intercity+: a higher level of comfort and the option of extra services during the journey.
3. Routes and connections:
- Intercity: a wide choice of routes serving different regions.
- Intercity+: may offer a more limited but more exclusive choice of routes, plus extra amenities for passengers.
How does 1st class differ from 2nd class?
1st class differs from 2nd class in several respects:
Comfortable seats: 1st class carriages have more comfortable seats than 2nd class. They have more adjustment options and recline further than 2nd class seats.
More legroom: a 1st class carriage has 3–5 fewer rows than a 2nd class one. This gives at least 15 centimetres more space to the seat in front.
More space between seats: each row in 1st class has one seat fewer, so the side-to-side space between seats is on average 10 centimetres greater.
More sockets: in 1st class there are 220 V sockets in every row. 2nd class carriages have half as many.
Free access to the premium waiting lounge: passengers with 1st class Intercity+ tickets can use the station service centre or premium waiting lounge on the day of departure at no extra charge.
Which Intercity carriage has the cafe?
The cafe carriage on Intercity trains can be in different places depending on the train configuration and the carriage manufacturer. As a rule, the cafe is in one of the carriages known as the "bar car". Here you can buy drinks, light snacks and other food.
Carriage layout of the EKr-1 (Tarpan) high-speed dual-system electric train
Carriage layout of the Hyundai train
Carriage layout of the Skoda train
If you are planning an Intercity trip, you can contact the railway company or carrier in advance for exact information on where the cafe carriage is on a particular train. Information about the location of service carriages (such as the bar car) is also usually given to passengers on board or in announcements.
How to buy an Intercity ticket
Today anyone can easily book an e-ticket for an Intercity+ train, even from the most remote corner of Ukraine. Simply pay, then print the form with your journey details. The travel document can be exchanged at a ticket office, where this is done quickly and free of charge.
How to book an e-ticket
1. Go to the AnyTrain website;
2. Choose your travel date and route;
3. Choose a train, carriage and seat;
4. Confirm your order and pay;
Book your ticket online and enjoy the speed and ease of travelling by Intercity.
How many Intercity trains are there in Ukraine?
Today there are about 15 Intercity trains, using rolling stock from manufacturers such as Hyundai Rotem, Skoda and Ukraine's Tarpan. They have a two-class layout with 1st and 2nd class.
Carriages by class
Three carriages are allocated to first class – 2, 5 and 8 – for a comfortable, premium journey.
Carriages 1, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 are allocated to second class, for passengers who prefer an economical and convenient way to travel.
Thanks to the variety of carriages and their high standard, Intercity ensures a quality, satisfying journey. Choose your class and enjoy travelling in comfort and style.
Intercity trains run on the following routes: Kyiv – Ternopil, Kyiv – Kamianets-Podilskyi, Kyiv – Mohyliv-Podilskyi, Kyiv – Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv – Shostka, Kyiv – Sumy, Kyiv – Poltava, Kyiv – Kremenchuk, Kharkiv – Sumy, Kharkiv – Dnipro, Kharkiv – Svatove, Vinnytsia – Odesa, Kharkiv – Imeni Tarasa Shevchenka.
Intercity+ trains run on the following routes: Kyiv – Kostiantynivka, Kyiv – Kharkiv, Kyiv – Dnipro – Zaporizhzhia, Kyiv – Dnipro – Pokrovsk, Kyiv – Lviv, Kyiv – Lviv – Przemyśl, Kyiv – Odesa, Kyiv – Kryvyi Rih.
