Ukraine is a diverse Eastern European nation rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. From the golden-domed churches of Kyiv to the charming cobblestone streets of Lviv, Ukraine offers travelers architectural marvels, vibrant cultural traditions, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Chernobyl Exclusion Zone
Highlights: Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant · Pripyat ghost town · Red Forest · Duga radar installation · Memorial to the liquidators
Kaniv and Shevchenko National Reserve
Highlights: Taras Shevchenko's grave and museum · Cherkasy Regional Museum · Dnipro River panoramas · Kaniv Nature Reserve
Chernihiv Old Town
Highlights: Chernihiv Transfiguration Cathedral (11th century) · Eletsky Monastery · Pyatnytska Church · Anthony's Caves · Chernihiv Historical Museum
Bila Tserkva and Oleksandria Dendrological Park
Highlights: Oleksandria Park with 18th-century English landscape garden · Ros River banks · Bila Tserkva Castle ruins · Rotunda of Saint Mary
Baturyn Hetmanate Citadel
Highlights: Baturyn Hetmanate Citadel · Kochubey Palace ruins · Museum of the Hetmanate · St. Nicholas Church
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Organized tours from $40-130/person: Chernobyl day tours (mandatory licensed operator, $100-130), castle tours from Lviv ($40-60), Carpathian day excursions from Lviv ($35-60)
- Private
- Car hire with driver from $100-150/day; comfortable for castle routes and Carpathian excursions where flexibility is needed; book through hotel concierge or taxi apps
- Public
- Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) intercity trains serve Chernihiv, Kaniv area, and Lviv region from Kyiv; buses from central bus stations connect smaller towns; book at uz.gov.ua
- Rental
- Car rental from $25-60/day available in Kyiv and Lviv; useful for Golden Horseshoe castle route and Carpathian freedom; international license required; avoid driving in eastern regions
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Chernobyl tours are mandatory licensed-operator excursions — never attempt to enter the exclusion zone independently as it is illegal and dangerous
Book Chernobyl tours at least 1-2 weeks ahead and provide passport details; bring your actual passport on the day as ID is checked at checkpoints
Early morning departure from Kyiv (7-8AM) maximizes time at destinations; return trains and buses from Chernihiv, Kaniv, and Bila Tserkva run until evening
The Golden Horseshoe castle route from Lviv (Pidhirtsi, Olesko, Zolochiv) is best done by rental car or private driver for flexibility between the three sites