Direct Train Kyiv–Bucharest: New Railway Link Between Ukraine and Romania

Starting October 10, 2025, a new direct international railway connection between Ukraine and Romania will begin operation on the route Kyiv – Ungheni – Bucharest Nord.
The national Romanian railway company CFR Călători officially announced the launch of this new cross-border service.

According to the company, train IR 99/401 will depart from Kyiv at 06:30 and arrive at Bucharest-Nord at 06:47 the following day (starting October 10/11, 2025).
In the opposite direction, train IR 402/100 will depart from Bucharest-Nord at 19:10 and arrive in Kyiv at 19:34 (starting October 11/12, 2025).

A Symbol of European Integration on Rails.

The launch of the direct Kyiv–Bucharest service opens a new transport corridor between Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania, passing through Ungheni, a strategic junction in the trilateral region.
The route will promote passenger mobility, cross-border tourism, and business ties, as well as Ukraine’s integration into the EU’s TEN-T transport network.

Comment by the Institute of Danube Research:

“The Kyiv–Bucharest train is more than a new route — it’s a symbol of Ukraine’s growing integration with the European Union.
This connection unites the Danube and Carpathian regions, reinforcing the North–South transport axis that links Kyiv, Chișinău, and Bucharest.
For the Danube macro-region, it marks a step toward railway recovery and transport unity across Eastern Europe.”

Context:
CFR Călători is Romania’s national passenger rail operator. The new connection forms part of the EU’s broader “Solidarity Lanes” initiative, aimed at improving transport resilience and connectivity between Ukraine and EU member states.