Getting from Kharkov to Donetsk

Hi All,

I have a ticket for Euro2012 game in Donetsk on 11 June. I'll be in Kharkov prior to that.

The problem is that I cannot find ANY connection between Kharkov & Donetsk between 9th and 11th of June. There are NO TRAINS and NO BUSES! I've looked everywhere, to no avail.

Can anyone give me tips on what to do?

Thanks,
Temuri

The reason most probably is the yearly train timetable change that takes place every end of May in the fromer USSR countries. The new timetable probaly hasn't been announced for this route yet - be patient and check the Ukrainian Railways website regularly (to make things easier, Kharkiv is spelled Harkov, Donetsk - Doneck in the UZ's journey planner :/ ). Beforehand, if you check a date in May, you'll get an idea of the frequency of available connections and time of travel based on the current timetable.

Hi Temuri
I am also staying in Kharkiv and trying to get to Donetsk for game on 11th June and had no luck finding train or bus. Not sure if all booked or not available for booking.
Keep in touch, sure we will find a way!
cheers
Steve

Hi All
Welcome to the club! I am trying to do the same thing. The new train schedule has been announced, but it doesn't include the timetable for the new "fast" trains... I am waiting to hear from my contacts about the options. There aren't many. Where are you from, guys? There is another option of getting to Donetsk and back by a coach (bus). There are private companies and travel agencies that will start offering this service. It should have been announced long time ago. Oh, well. Stay in touch.
CW

I need to travel from Kharkiv to Donetsk on the 15th of June, I purchased train tickets from http://www.russiantrains.com/ 4 days ago, but their contact email address has not responded to me yet, so I have no idea when and if I will receive my tickets.

Dude, I don't think the schedule for new trains is out yet. My advice is not to take regular trains to Donetsk. The distance is 300 km, but it takes over 6 to get from point A to point B, It's better to find a bus option or wait until the new trains are up and running

Edited by: Canadianwolf

Hi all
I strongly believe there is transport either bus or fast train will set up service in between Kharkov to Donetsk.
I will watch the game match 3 and 7,so let us set up a group convey the update message to each other.
By the way , is anyone can tell me where i can stay in Kharkov on 9-10 June in reason price.
Thousand thank.
Gilbert
Hong Kong

www.booking.com has some options for June 9-10 at "standard" euro2012 prices...

http://www.sherif.com.ua/rasp_en.php

Bus starting in Kyiv arrives in Kharkiv at midnight and arrives at Donetsk at 5:50am. 5.5 hrs travel time.

@MJAWO Thanks for sending the bus schedule. I hope to see a non-stop coach from Kharkov to Donetsk on the game days

Hi Guys ! Seems people are having the same probems I'm encountering regarding train times and buses to Donetsk. I'll be based in Kharkov for 10 days but also need to get to Donesk for a game on the 11th June. Anyone found a timetable for trains yet or possible coach hire ( I was thinking if theres enough of us we can hire / charter mini bus to take us to the game and return immediately aftrewards ) If anyone has any new info on travel details please reply / post.

Many Thanks.

Sid

Hello All,

I am traveling with 2 friends to Ukraine for the Euros. Most of our time will be spent in Kyiv, but a few nights we will be in Kharkiv. What are some good restaurants and bars in Kharkiv. Looking for places locals go too not tourist traps. I also have another problem we are coming from Chicago and we are nit arriving until the 11th, but I have 3 tickets to the game in Kharkiv on the 9th. I am not looking to make any money just selling them fir face value. Don't want them to go unused. If anyone is interested let me know. Also any other suggestions on places to go in Kharkiv would be greatly appreciated.

Things to do:

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g295369-Activities-Kharkiv_Kharkiv_Oblast.html

Restaurants:

I really like #4

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g295369-Kharkiv_Kharkiv_Oblast.html

#10
> Anyone found a timetable

The timetable can be easily found at [www.uz.gov.ua/en] - the Ukrainian Railways website.

Thanks Igor - just been looking at the timetable. Its a shame they don't have a late night train going from Donetsk to kharkiv as many of us have tickets to the England v france game but at the moment are unable to get back. Any ideas if another train company runs a late night train back to Kharkiv ? ( even if its the slow service )

Is the train no. 144 to St. Petersburg via Kharkiv, dep Donetsk 23:01, too early for you? Painfully slow, but will finally get you to Kharkiv after 11 hours.

300 km in 11 hours! Too long for anyone. Also, there are only tickets left in "platzkart". it's like a third world country car. It will be a terrible ride. Maybe we can get enough people to rent a mini-van in Kharkiv

Are more trains likely to be added in the next few weeks ? I hope locals will have entrepreneurial spirit and offer to drive fans to and from the games, they could make decent money if theres a group of us that all get in a people carrier and head to Donetsk with immediate return. There must be more options than that 11 hour train.

I just found a site www.ukrainetraintickets.com that has a train running from Donetsk back to Kharkiv on the 11th June departing at 22-43 and arriving 05-10 . Thats not too bad.....

hi all. im also trying to get train tickets from donetsk to kharkiv. Does anyone know when you buy tickets from this site (http://booking.uz.gov.ua/) How do you get your tickets. Can you ppick them up at the station??

Hi Jana - I've tried a number of times to use the site you mention but it's impossible and does'nt give the correct information. It may be best to purchse the tickets over there as this is proving an impossible task. Also theres a few of us on here that want to travel from Kharkiv to Donetsk for the Eng v France game and return straight afterwards. We should look into renting a driver and mini bus / people carrier to take us to and from Donetsk.

good idea but the site recently put up a trial booking system where u print out your tickets. Seems pretty legit. I'll get back to you though cause I only put a $15 booking fee down on it and the coach sounds awesome. Also I'm going after the france england game, to ger-neth and back for UKr-FRA. If your going to kharkiv for the 13th lemme know. TA (jus realised our journey's are fairly different so dont worry bout it)

I am having the same trouble with trains. I'm planning on travelling with one other friend from Kharkiv to Donetsk for the England match on 10 June or 11 June, and would be interested in getting a minibus or something like that with other people too. Only thing is I'm staying in Donetsk after the game so I wouldn't be going roundtrip back to Kharkiv.

@Jana25
Are you going to be stationed in Kharkiv? There are more ppl who want to go to Donetsk for Eng-Fra and Ukr-France. The problem is to get back to Kharkiv now. The "fast" trains Skoda leave Donetsk in the middle of the games... not very well planned schedule.
CW

The trains continue to be difficult to plan. I'm thinking of a group of us hiring a mini-bus to take us from Kharkiv and those that wish to remain can do so and then those of us needing to return to Kharkiv after the game can. Its the best solution.

http://www.europe-buses.com/transfer-service-kharkiv.htm

GUYS ABOVE IS PERFECT FOR US !!! THEY ARE OFFERING SPECIAL COACH / MINI BUS TOURS AROUND UKRAINE AND BETWEEN IT'S MAJOR CITIES. THEY OFFER A VERSATILE SERVICE AND CAN CATER FOR WHATEVER ITINERY WE NEED.

LET ME KNOW YOUR THOUGHTS.....

I agree about hiring a mini-van as the last case scenario.The roads are bad. How many ppl want to travel on June 11 to watch Eng-France game from Kharkiv to Donetsk? The best option is to find a shuttle to the game. I am looking into this option right now. Local travel agencies offer trips to/from games in Ukraine.

Re: http://www.europe-buses.com/transfer-service-kharkiv.htm
The web site doesn't provide any reliable info about the company. This could be a scam. Thoughts?

Difficult to tell regarding the reliablity and authenticity of the site, maybe if we contact the Kharkiv tourist information centre they may be able to confirm the companies credentials. The shuttle idea though sounds interesting. Count me in for the trip. Its two weeks tonight. I've given up on attemtping to book a train ticket via the net but the shuttle to and from the ground in Donetsk sounds the most viable way forward. How many others on here are in the same situation ? Also we could arrange to meet in Kharkiv and organise things from there.....

Since there are only two weeks left I recommend the following:
1) Get tickets to Donetsk on Skoda train leaving at 6 a.m. on the 11th.
2) Try booking a ticket on the slow train from Donetsk to Kharkov on the 11th. Sometime you can buy a ticket just before boarding the train. Make sure you have cash.
3) If between now and the game day we find a mini-bus/shuttle bus to Donetsk, we should go together and return train tickets. It's possible to get a refund without major penalties in Ukraine.
So far only sidsewell and jana25 have indicated interest. We can call around on June 10th to confirm. Please email me your phone numbers in private msgs.
CW

FYI,
This shuttle bus service has been corresponding with my contacts. I suggest you consider contacting them directly. The more people we have the better. They will confirm the details regarding June 11 by Friday.
CW

Cheers for the link and well done on finding the site, sure seems reasonable and will look into detail as the cost seems excellent and probably quicker than the trains. They may also be able to collect us from our various accomodation in Kharkiv and drop us off upon our return. I'll look into it some more / message them and see if all seems legit.

Sid

I doubt they will collect you from different locations. We may have to go to one location where they will drop us off when we get back. I think it's the best option.

My friend and I will be staying kharkiv for three days., and we will be going to donetsk for the game on the 11 June. so I am also having some difficulties in transporting to kharkiv to donetsk to kharkiv after the game. so we would like to join you guys to take the shuttle bus or mini bus on 10 or 11 of june. pls let me know where is the meeting point . my friend and i will stay in hostelpushkin which is located in Pushkinskaya Street 7, Kharkov, 61057 Ukraine. can I recommend to you to be that this could be the meeting place as well ?

Did you register for the shuttle bus at http://poehalinafootball.com.ua/poezdka/ ??? I think this is the best option. We will leave on June 11 and come back the same day. Alternatively, you can take the 6 a.m. Skoda train and try to find a ticket on the 11 p.m. "super slow" train back to Kharkov.
I like your idea of getting together at your hotel, but I am not sure if I have time to do it before June 11. Most likely, we will see each other on the bus or the train....

I'd be interested in meeting at the hotel to and going from there, hiring a mini bus and going straight to and from Donetsk. We should attempt to contact a mini bus firm via the net and then perhaps arrange things from there. That slow train sounds a gruelling experience.

My friends in Kharkiv are getting call from http://poehalinafootball.com.ua regarding June 15 and June 19 games in Donetsk. It seems to be the best option. If you haven't email them regarding a bus ride on June 11, please do so right away., so there are enough people to hire a bus.

CW

Hey guys we need to confirm numbers or as another option we could all meet on June 10th and find a taxi / mini bus firm willing to take us. Either that or we should email the above company asap. Where is everyone staying in Kharkiv ?

Sid, I suggest you and others send your names to the web site above to confirm the shuttle bus to Donetsk. it will be better than looking for a decent mini-bus, finding a reliable driver at a reasonable price. They will charge you through the roof and may not provide good service. Otherwise, travel by Skoda train at 6 a.m. and try to get a ticket on the slow train at 11 p.m.back

I receive a email from the hostel Pushkin where i will be staying , They are providing a minibus service as well from kharkiv to donetsk 10 or 11 June, so i suggest we can take this service ,,then i would like to know who are interested to go with me and my friend so that i can confirm the pushkin hostel about their offer, Pushkin will email me back about the charge .they would like to know how many people ..Pls do post your name if you will come.

That sounds like a plan 5man. Count me in for that trip to Donetsk from Kharkiv and back. What is the exact address of the Pushkin hotel in Kharkiv ?

Pushkinskaya Street 7

Kharkov 61057

Ukraine

phone-380669648315

Cheers for the address, I'm staying in the northern part of the city but will travel to the hotel Pushkin to meet you guys there on the 11th June. Also is anyone going to the Ukraine v France game on the 15th in Donetsk ?

• 2 to Donetsk on the 11th. We plan to take the shuttle bus from the web site I emailed you about earlier or the train. How much is the mini-bus from Pushkin hotel? How many people can they take to the game and back? Did you check with them that they would take people who are not staying at the hotel? Cheers

Any news on the shuttle bus or one departing from the hotel Pushkin ?

hey I have 3 people interested in going to the England France game. We will be staying in Kharkiv. Is your mini shuttle bus still available?

Hey guys,

Any idea how many people are required for the www.poehalinafutbol website shuttle ? The train is the last option as the 11 hour journey sounds an epiclly bad experience.... lol

I could'nt translate the website. My translation tool is non existent on the laptop for some reason....

There are three options now.
1. Skoda train at 6am but uncertain return journey on a slow train back (my back up option)
2. Shuttle bus on www.poehalinafutnol web site which I posted earlier (my prefered option the organizers confirm there are enough ppl.
3. Mini bus from pushkin hotel (I don't have the details)

I thought I emailed their sales dept email address. Pls check and let me know I you want me to resend it. Not sure how many ppl they need

Unfortunately could'nt see the link / email address for the relevant dept. Just hope they are able to provide a bus, even if its limited numbers. Theres definantly 5 of us wanting to hire bus & driver. We could also meet on the sunday and try and arrange transportation from there / go to the tourist info centre etc and see if they have any ideas and contacts for us .....

Hello guys,
i will be arriving in Kharkiv Pushkin hostel on the 8 June Night time ,, I strongly believe that they can arrange a bus to donetsk. At this moment , I am still waiting for their reply about the mini bus offer to donetsk. anyway i suggest if we can meet in pushkin on June 9 morning to discuss about the transportation arrangement.
My name is Kai Man Li from Hong Kong.

I will be in Moscow on the 5 June so i am not sure if i can respond or be online everytime .keep in touch and just leave a message .Hope for the Best.

Hi 5 Man - what time would you like to meet on the 9th June ? Can I suggest around 11 am ? I'll be getting into Kharkiv late on the 8th June but if everybody wants we can meet in the reception area at the Hotel pushkin. Let us know if the hotel gets back to you regarding transport. Thanks.

ok , we will wait and meet everybody around 11 am in the reception area at the Hostel Pushkin on 9th June,let everybody know asap if the hostel get back to me for the transport arrangement.

I won't be able to join you on the 9th or the 10th, but I am talking to the owners of "poehalinafutbol" web site about the shuttle bus on June 11. I'll keep posting messages, but do keep me informed if you find a mini-bus from Pushkin hotel. Please let me know how much they want to charge you, when they want to depart and how many seats they have left. Don't be surprised that Ukrainians make arrangements last minute :) Also don't get scammed... I hope we can connect in Donetsk before the game. send me a private message with one of your cell phone numbers if you take a mini-bus together. I'll leave on the 11th by a shuttle bus or train.
CW

Hey,
So I have 3 people definitely going to the Fra-Eng game. We don't want to spend any nights in Donetsk, unless we go clubbing after the game and leave in the morning. Does anyone have a bus leaving to Donetsk maybe in the morning or midday on June 11th and leaving after the game or next morning. Let me know.

Hey guys, less than a week to go. Canadianwolf - keep us informed of any arrangements you make, I'll do the same. Just time is ticking on - also is anyone going to the Ukraine v France game on the 15th ?

RonPaul - stay tuned as over the next few days we'll decide on a route / method how to get there.

We should meet up for drinks - you're all going to the Netherlands v Denmark game ?

Thanks Sidsewell. I am going to Ukraine Vs. France game as well. It looks like "poehalinafutbol" are offering a shuttlebus. You should send them an email or let me know if you want me to send it to them on your behalf since there is no English version of the web site

Canadianwolf : Is there any chance of securing my seat on the shuttle bus for the Ukraine v France game ? Tickets are for sale and I'd like to go but transport again is the stumbling block.

Okay I will. Please send me your full name in a private message. Thx. I think this shuttle bus is a go.

Hey CanadianWolf,
Is there room for 3 more on that shuttlebus?

@RonPaul
When? On the 11th or the 15th?

Fra vs Eng on the 11th in Donetsk. name Arkadiy Ekshtat

@RonPaul, the latest I heard is the shuttle bus on the 11th is a no go. The two remaining options are:
1) Meet at Pushkin hotel with the other guys and figure out if they can provide a mini-bus
2) Take a Skoda train at 6 a.m. on the 11th and a slow train on the way back.
The poehalinafutbol shuttle on June 15h (Ukr-Fra) is still under consideration. I think it's a go...

I have no problem taking trains. How much is the poehalanafutbol shuttle? If they're the guys who want 170$, I think we should tell them pashlivinahuy shuttle instead for free.

@RonPaul,
I love your post :) There is no poehalinafutbol shuttle on the 11th. Not enough ppl signed up. Sidwell and others get together at Pushnin hotel on Friday to figure out the details. Please check with them. I'll most likely take a Skoda train, but I want to return with the rest of the crew from Pushkin hotel.
Re: June 15th. there is an option of renting a mini-bus now. Please email me if you are interested. there are only 2-3 seats left. Sidwell has confirmed already.
CW

I have 2 people with me. How much will it be?

I am not sure yet, but I can check. I am sure my contacts wouldn't have agreed to this option if it was expensive. I'll check.

@RonPaul. There price is $30 both ways, if no one is going to screw up over. there are only 2 seats left. Let me know what you want to do.

Hey CW - Great price ! Well done and good work mate :- )

CW - any ideas where they will collect us from in Kharkiv i.e. a particular location ?

CW can you message me your email address?

Remember people - Hotel Pushkin 11 a.m. this Saturday.

Have a great meeting, guys! I hope to meet most of you on June 11th.
CW

Chhers CW and will reserve those 2 seats for the return journey should the meeting prove fruitful. I'll have my mobile on most times so feel free to contact me on there. Cheers !

Vlad0777 - Do you have an office or a contact in Kharkiv ?

It is best to contact me here. I'll try to answer your questions. When should you go? How many people do you have? We are physically located in Kherson. This is far from Kharkov, but if you need to find a bus.

No. We are located in Kherson. Even the manager is not in Kharkiv. Only Kherson, Odessa, Nikolaev.

Vlad, I understand you don't have enough people to have a bus from Kharkiv to Donetsk on June 11 for the France-England game. Correct?

Not at all. We have brought together people from 3 cities on a bus. But he has a very different route: The route Odessa-Nikolaev-Kherson- Donetsk-Kherson-Nikolaev-Odessa. This is far from Kharkov. Google maps can follow any responses to watch. But if you have gathered a lot of people, then we can look for the carrier and one of our managers before coming to Kharkov that would go along with you.

I'll post in two languages, so you don't need to translate:

• Skolko chelovek nuzhno sobrat' chtoby organizovat avtobus is Kharkova v Donetsk i obratno?

  (How many people do you need to provide a bus from Kharkiv to Donetsk and back?)

CW

Ну тут смотря сколько вы денег можете потратить. Можно и автобус на 20 человек заказать, а поехать только в 5-ом. Минимальный автобус 20-25 человек. Сколько у вас сейчас человек? Автобусы есть от 20 до 76 мест.

Well here despite how much you can spend money. It is possible and the bus for 20 people to order, and travel only in the fifth. The minimum bus of 20-25 people. How many people you have now? Buses have a 20 to 76 seats.

У нас своих автобусов нет в Харькове. Возможно 2 варианта:
1. Один из наших автобусов вместе со мной выедет из Одессы в Харьков, что бы свозить вас на матч и обратно.
2. Мы найдем Вам автобус у какого-нибудь перевозчика в Харькове, а я просто подъеду уже в Харьков и буду вас сопровождать во время поездки.

We do not have their buses in Kharkov. Maybe two versions: A. One of our coaches with me will leave from Odessa to Kharkiv, which would be to take you to the game and back. Two. We'll find you have any bus carrier in Kharkov, but I just have to Kharkov podedu and will accompany you during the trip.

Spasibo Vlad00777
Nas vsego chelovek 5-6 kotorye ischut sposob doehat v Donetsk 11.06. V pytanisu obsudyat raznye varianty.
There are only 5-6 people who are looking for a transportation option to Donetsk on June 11. On Friday, there is a meeting to discuss all the options.
Do you have a bus from Kharkiv to Donetsk on the 19th of June (England-Ukraine)? U vas est avtobus iz Kharkova v Donetsk 19.06 na igru Angliya-Ukraine?
CW

Ехать будем на Украина - Англия. Заявок много. 12 человек с Харькова подали заявки на этот матч. Так что возможно и с Харькова будет автобус, но не точная информация.

We will go to Ukraine - England. Many applications. 12 people from Kharkiv have applied for this match. So it is possible and Kharkiv will be a bus, but no precise information.