Not so long ago, traveling to Europe was considered an expensive luxury. However, with the emergence of low-cost airlines, even travelers on a tight budget can now visit any European country. We will share with our readers how to get to famous cities in the European Union from Ukraine on a budget.
For Ukrainians who have long dreamed of traveling, it is more cost-effective to fly to European cities from Warsaw. Indeed, from the Polish capital, which is located close to the Ukrainian border, you can fly to many famous European cities for just 8-9 euros.
How to get to Warsaw from Lviv or Kyiv?
Lviv is about 400 kilometers away from Warsaw, yet it's possible to get to the Polish capital quickly and for a reasonable cost. You can reach Warsaw from the main city of Western Ukraine in several ways.
1. Bus operators Ecolines and PolskiBus
On the ecolines.net site, promotions are sometimes held, allowing you to purchase a ticket from Lviv to Warsaw for 120-160 UAH one way. Typically, three promotional tickets are available per bus journey, and even then, only on certain days. If you're eager to get to Poland but the discounted tickets are sold out, then you can buy a ticket to Warsaw for 475 UAH (73 PLN).
PolskiBus is considered the largest bus operator in Poland. This company not only operates nineteen routes in Polish cities but also runs services to some European destinations. Periodic sales are held on polskibus.com, so it's possible to buy a ticket for one of this carrier's journeys at a promotional price. Without a discount, the cost from Lviv to Warsaw will be 100 PLN (655 UAH).
2. Wizz Air
Low-cost carrier Wizz Air announced the opening of a new direct flight from Kyiv to Warsaw. However, the first flights are scheduled only for July 2017. Those who wish to get to the Polish capital sooner can first fly to Wrocław. The cost of a standard flight from Zhuliany Airport to Wrocław Airport named after N. Copernicus on November 29, 2016, is 829 UAH.
From Wrocław to Warsaw, you can travel in several ways, including by the PolskiBus carrier. The cost of a ticket starts from 5 PLN, depending on the travel date. Additionally, you can use the services of low-cost airline Ryanair and fly from Wrocław to Frederick Chopin Airport in Warsaw for a minimum of 9 PLN.
3. BlaBlaCar
BlaBlaCar offers the most cost-effective way to travel from Ukrainian cities to Warsaw. This platform, which has already registered 10 million users, is designed for organizing shared car journeys to European cities. The service connects passengers and drivers who would like to share the cost of the trip. Drivers post their route on BlaBlaCar, and passengers, if they agree with the terms, commit to joining them and compensating part of the fuel cost for the trip.
Traveling from Lviv to Warsaw costs 290 UAH, which is indeed cheap, considering the cost of bus rides and air flights.
Where to fly from Warsaw for 8-9 euros?
Ryanair is the largest European low-cost airline, operating over 1,500 flights daily to twenty-eight countries in Europe and Morocco.
The main advantage of Ryanair is the ticket price, which sometimes can be as low as one euro. Such ticket prices are not gimmicks, however, they do not include some extra fees that affect the final price of the flight.
The airline regulates luggage transport. If a passenger refuses to comply with the transport rules, they will be charged an additional fee. Low-cost airlines do not provide coordinated flight connections, so passengers are advised to buy tickets for each flight separately.
Despite some drawbacks of budget flights, Ryanair holds the status of one of the most punctual and best airlines, used by tens of thousands of travelers every day. In 2015, the passenger traffic of the low-cost carrier was 101.4 million people.
Ryanair operates regular flights from Warsaw to almost all capitals and major cities in Europe. This is especially notable for residents of Ukraine, as it is quick and inexpensive to get from the state border to Warsaw.
With a modest budget, you can spend an unforgettable weekend in one of the European cities, see interesting places, and acquaint yourself with new traditions. All this has been made possible thanks to Ryanair low-cost, offering tickets for flights to Paris, Brussels, Milan, London, and Eindhoven for just 8-9 euros. Finding and buying a flight ticket for the desired direction is possible directly on the Ryanair.com website.
Brussels
Flying from Warsaw to Brussels is the cheapest. By exploring the offers on Ryanair.com, you'll find you can buy a flight ticket to Brussels for 34 PLN or 8 euros. This price is for purchasing a ticket for December 1, 2016. On other days, the flight will cost a bit more.
The departure from Warsaw/Modlin Airport - arrival at Brussels Charleroi Airport, which is 46 kilometers from the center of the Belgian capital. Every half hour, a bus leaves the airport for the Brussels-South railway station.
Paris
You can also travel to the French capital from Warsaw at a reasonable price. On the airline's website, finding a ticket to Paris is possible from 9 euros (38 PLN). You can purchase a flight ticket for November 30, 2016.
The flight departs from Warsaw/Modlin Airport and arrives at Beauvais Airport, which is seventy kilometers from Paris. The distance can be covered by special buses designed exclusively for air passengers.
Milan
If you want to travel cheaply from Warsaw to Italy, then consider a flight to Milan. You can fly to the fashion capital for 9 euros. Ryanair offers to buy a ticket to Milan for November 29, 2016.
The flight departs from Warsaw/Modlin Airport and arrives at Bergamo Airport (Orio al Serio), which is 45 kilometers from Milan.
London
You can fly from Warsaw/Modlin Airport to London Stansted Airport (48 m from the capital) for 9 euros. A flight ticket to London can be purchased for November 29, 2016.
Eindhoven
You can also fly from Warsaw/Modlin Airport to Eindhoven, a city in the south of the Netherlands, for 9 euros. Upon arrival in Eindhoven, it's worth traveling to the railway station from where trains depart for Amsterdam. The journey takes about an hour and a half.
Tips for Buying Tickets on Ryanair
To snag a lucky ticket and embark on a journey almost for free, follow a few tips.
- First, register on the company's official website. This process will take you five minutes and keep you informed about the latest news and offers from the company, view and compare past flights, and assess potential travel options.
- Leave some flexibility in your schedule. If the price of a ticket from Ryanair for your chosen date doesn't suit you, check the company's offers for the next few days. Additionally, it's useful to use ticket search services, where you can view a price schedule for several months.
- If the cost of a direct flight doesn't suit you, consider options with layovers.
- Experienced travelers, who have used Ryanair services more than once, recommend buying a flight ticket for a departure set on Tuesday or Wednesday. On these days, the flight often costs less.
- To protect yourself from unexpected expenses, carefully read the information about the flight ticket and services included in the price. Most importantly, double-check the weight and number of pieces of luggage, as an extra kilogram can increase the ticket price
