Train from Lviv to Chernivtsi?

[JensenHealey907]

When I visited Chernivtsi a week ago my lady friend was pretty positive that I should use the car and driver that she arranged. However I had seen favorable mentions here of the train service from Lviv to Chernivtsi. Can anyone comment on using the train versus having a local drive by car? How long does such a train trip take and how hard is it to get from the Lviv airport to the station to catch a train?

I did the car thing this trip but on the way back being couped up in the car with three Russian speaking people who were VERY active at carrying on conversations for 4 - 5 hours (roads were a little challenging at time due to the weather) left me with a HUGE headache by the time we got to the Lviv airport. I am thinking that with the train I could possibly get up and walk around to get a break once in a while.

Anyway, any feedback on this train versus car plan from Lviv to Chernivtsi and back again would be appreciated.

[Anotherkiwi]

While a train to or from L'viv sounds infinitely preferable to the car trip you had, you can also get a train direct from Kyiv to Chernivtsi.  There is one every day in each direction, leaving around 8 pm and running overnight (11 hours from Kyiv, 12 hours the other way).  Ticket prices start at under $US 6!  Trains to or from L'viv take between 3 1/2 and 5 3/4 hours, costing upwards of $2.60.

[BillyB]

When I visited Chernivtsi a week ago my lady friend was pretty positive that I should use the car and driver that she arranged. However I had seen favorable mentions here of the train service from Lviv to Chernivtsi. Can anyone comment on using the train versus having a local drive by car? How long does such a train trip take and how hard is it to get from the Lviv airport to the station to catch a train?

I did the car thing this trip but on the way back being couped up in the car with three Russian speaking people who were VERY active at carrying on conversations for 4 - 5 hours (roads were a little challenging at time due to the weather) left me with a HUGE headache by the time we got to the Lviv airport. I am thinking that with the train I could possibly get up and walk around to get a break once in a while.

Anyway, any feedback on this train versus car plan from Lviv to Chernivtsi and back again would be appreciated.

Trains have lots of people on them which means lots of conversations too. You have to wait for the train to take off,  the train will make lots of stops and it will take more time to get to your destination. Most guys have limited time on these trips. It's best to get to our destinations quickly to make good use of our limited time. Sitting on a train losing a few hours is time wasted IMO.

Also, if you trust the woman, she has your best interest in mind and if you go against her suggestion, you may give the impression you don't trust her. I've travelled a lot between Western Ukrainian cities and towns. I let my wife and MIL decide the best modes of transportation. It was always by car or bus. They only time they schedule a train was between Lviv or Ivano Frankivsk to Kiev or the other way around. Later on, at that distance, I showed them the option of flying for $100 between those cites are better.

[Boethius]

There is a daily direct train from L'viv to Chernivtsi.  It leaves L'viv at 00:28 and arrives in Chernivtsi at 06:26.

From Kyiv, the train to Chernivtsi is at 7:10 and arrives in Chernivtsi at 7:10 the following day.

[Gator]

Trains are an interesting way to travel in the FSU.  I have taken the express train between St. Piter several times as well as between Kharkiv and Kiev.  I have also ridden the non-express trains.  Once was enough.  Hiring a driver can save hours. 

A private sleeping compartment on an overnight train would be an adventure dependent upon your companion. 

One problem about travel is views are limited.  Even going through farmland, a thin strip of trees line the tracks.  And the windows are dirty. 

[Hammer2722]

Trains have lots of people on them which means lots of conversations too. You have to wait for the train to take off,  the train will make lots of stops and it will take more time to get to your destination. Most guys have limited time on these trips. It's best to get to our destinations quickly to make good use of our limited time. Sitting on a train losing a few hours is time wasted IMO.

Also, if you trust the woman, she has your best interest in mind and if you go against her suggestion, you may give the impression you don't trust her. I've travelled a lot between Western Ukrainian cities and towns. I let my wife and MIL decide the best modes of transportation. It was always by car or bus. They only time they schedule a train was between Lviv or Ivano Frankivsk to Kiev or the other way around. Later on, at that distance, I showed them the option of flying for $100 between those cites are better.

When I took the train from Kyiv to Odessa and back, I bought out all four beds in the 4 person coupe. That way it allowed me and my lady to sleep without any interruptions or worries over our personal belongings. At the time, I believe it cost me $60.00 each way to travel in peace. 

[JensenHealey907]

Ah, OK  That sounds like a reasonable thing to do (buying all four sleeper compartments). I have always been a train enthusiast so I like to ride trains whenever I can. Also the hire of the driver and car for my trip from Lviv to Chernivtsi was considerably more than $60 each way.

[BillyB]

When I took the train from Kyiv to Odessa and back, I bought out all four beds in the 4 person coupe. That way it allowed me and my lady to sleep without any interruptions or worries over our personal belongings. At the time, I believe it cost me $60.00 each way to travel in peace.

That's a good idea except a guy like me is the interruption. I snore a lot. My wife and MIL are light sleepers. First time on a train from Kiev to Lviv, I learned they didn't get much sleep because of my snoring. I don't know how the young man sleeping above me fared. I keep my wife happy now by using a CPAP machine.

[Hammer2722]

That's a good idea except a guy like me is the interruption. I snore a lot. My wife and MIL are light sleepers. First time on a train from Kiev to Lviv, I learned they didn't get much sleep because of my snoring. I don't know how the young man sleeping above me fared. I keep my wife happy now by using a CPAP machine.

I, too snore. I have since started to use a anti-snoring device that prevents snoring (Zyppah).

[ML]

I have taken the express train between St. Piter several times . . .

Quite an interesting trip!!  Any stops along the way?

[Gator]

Quite an interesting trip!!  Any stops along the way?

Dementia is a horrible affliction. My affliction seems to be my motor skills can not keep pace with my thoughts.  Or maybe I simply forgot the other end is Moscow. 

I guarantee you do not want to be in my capsule.

[LAman]

When I took the train from Kyiv to Odessa and back, I bought out all four beds in the 4 person coupe. That way it allowed me and my lady to sleep without any interruptions or worries over our personal belongings. At the time, I believe it cost me $60.00 each way to travel in peace.

Wouldn't it  have 'nicer' to buy just 2 beds on a first class suite??????

Or was the thought of being on top for the entire trip more enticing???? )))

[JensenHealey907]

OK, I am looking at this site:

http://gd.tickets.ua/en/direction/lviv~chernivtsi

and it seems to indicate that train travel from Lviv to Chernivtsi only takes from 3.5 hours to 5.5 hours depending on what train is taken. This seems to compare well with the 4.5 hour trip time by car. Plus the train ticket prices are minimal.

What am I missing here? Are these travel times overly optimistic by some wild margin? Is it particularly difficult to get from the Lviv airport to the Lviv train station?

[BillyB]

Are these travel times overly optimistic by some wild margin?

I'd estimate the times are accurate. They are on schedule and once things back up, it continues to back up. The wide differences in prices may be due to the ages and quality of the trains. Some of the trains I've seen are ready for the junkyard.

Is it particularly difficult to get from the Lviv airport to the Lviv train station?

Taxi drivers at the airport speak English. Make sure to negotiate price before getting in the car. Don't accept the first price.

[JensenHealey907]

Well I am just trying to figure out why my lady friend seemed to think the train was a really bad idea compared to doing this by car. The only thing I can think of is that her friend the car driver got to overcharge me for the car ride. I would prefer to not think this was the only reason however.

[Boethius]

Think of it this way. Would you rather drive from Chicago to Milwaukee or take a Greyhound bus?

[JensenHealey907]

Well, one other thing just occurred to me. She was meeting me for the first time so I guess she might have felt safer if she had this driver friend along. Maybe she will be more open to the train thing on my next visit since she knows me better now.

[Boethius]

She was thinking of your comfort.

[JensenHealey907]

She was thinking of your comfort.

Are you saying that these Ukrainian trains are particularly uncomfortable?

[LAman]

OK, I am looking at this site:

http://gd.tickets.ua/en/direction/lviv~chernivtsi

and it seems to indicate that train travel from Lviv to Chernivtsi only takes from 3.5 hours to 5.5 hours depending on what train is taken. This seems to compare well with the 4.5 hour trip time by car. Plus the train ticket prices are minimal.

What am I missing here? Are these travel times overly optimistic by some wild margin? Is it particularly difficult to get from the Lviv airport to the Lviv train station?

I think you are slowly finding out you paid extra for EVERYTHING....taxi's, drivers, apt, ect............ and as you were smiling and happy to let someone else take care of everything!!!!! Bet you paid well over $125 for transfers. 

BTW- this is official site for Ukraine train travel( no mark ups). There is also a way to see schedules for travel between cities:
 http://booking.uz.gov.ua/en/

[LAman]

What am I missing here? Are these travel times overly optimistic by some wild margin? Is it particularly difficult to get from the Lviv airport to the Lviv train station?

To answer your question.....

http://www.eway.in.ua/en/cities/lviv

Click on airplane for set point green A and click on train (to left of M11) for set point blue B..... then compile route. Not bad for 8uah. ))))

[Boethius]

Are you saying that these Ukrainian trains are particularly uncomfortable?

I'll put it this way. My husband, who is from Ukraine, if given the choice between a private car and the train, would always choose the former.   

I've taken trains all over Ukraine. Generally, I find them dirty (i.e. I want to shower and launder my clothing even after a short trip) and time consuming. But I don't mind them otherwise.

[alex330]

I'll put it this way. My husband, who is from Ukraine, if given the choice between a private car and the train, would always choose the former.   

My wife is the same. She says we would only take the train so she could laugh at my experience on it.

[JensenHealey907]

OK, thanks much for the input. This dirty trains comment is the sort of direct feedback information I was looking for.

[Hammer2722]

Wouldn't it  have 'nicer' to buy just 2 beds on a first class suite??????

Or was the thought of being on top for the entire trip more enticing???? )))

It sure would except those were not available at the time of purchase......