Low-cost German bus company FlixBus is adding another (unexpected) destination to its list of services operating from Brussels. As of now, passengers can travel directly from Brussels to the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv two times a week.
Some 185 destinations are accessible from Brussels with FlixBus, with thousands of people hopping onto the bright green buses every day to travel cheaply to nearby cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Lille. However, the company is now adding a far-flung terminus to its list: from Wednesday, it has started operating buses to and from Kyiv in Ukraine, a distance of around 2,150 km.
"The launch of the first route between Ukraine and Brussels is an important step in the expansion of our network and we are pleased to contribute to Ukraine's integration with European countries," Pablo Pastega, VP of Western Europe for FlixBus, said. "Our goal is to offer comfortable and affordable travel to all Ukrainians, strengthening social and economic ties with Europe."
38-hour trip
Prices for single tickets start at €74.99, but most cost between €170 and €220. The direct bus service, which takes between 38 and 40 hours with 17 stops (Kyiv - Zhytomyr - Rivne - Lviv - Berlin - Magdeburg - Braunschweig - Hanover - Bielefeld - Dortmund - Essen - Duisburg - Düsseldorf - Cologne-Bonn Airport - Aachen - Liège - Brussels Gare du Nord) is offered twice a week in both directions.
Departures from Kyiv will take place on Wednesdays and Fridays, with the bus departing at 10:30 from Kyiv, and arriving two days later at 00:30 at the Gare du Nord in Brussels. In the opposite direction, the bus will leave on Monday and Saturday at 05:15 from Brussels Gare du Nord, arriving in Kyiv at 21:30 on Tuesday and Sunday.
People can also opt for a journey with several transfers, taking up to 51 hours, with transfers in either the Netherlands, Germany or Poland. These depart several times a day in both directions.
Popular service
Every bus is equipped with free WiFi, toilets and power outlets, and all passengers are guaranteed a seat. There are also night buses on the route, with seats with adjustable backs so passengers can sleep.
The indirect buses stop at four places in Kyiv: at the FlixBus Ukraine Office, the Central Bus Station, the Dachna Bus Station, and the Kyiv Bus Station. There is the same number of stops in Brussels, including Heysel (by metro station Baudouin), Brussels-North and Brussels-Midi stations, and Charleroi Airport.
A seat can be reserved on the buses, subject to availability. Passengers are given an option of seats, such as panoramic seats, seats with a table and sleeping seats.
FlixBus' new offer is somewhat unexpected as Ukraine is still at war following Russia's invasion in February 2022. However, in both directions, tickets for several indirect buses have already sold out. FlixBus already offers 28 direct bus connections to Ukraine from eight EU countries.
