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Christmas & New Year 2023-2024
22.12 — 07.01.2024 • Updates every 7 min — 16 border checkpoints live
When to cross the border for leaving Ukraine?
During the holiday period 22.12–07.01.2024, expect increased traffic at the border. We track queues at 16 checkpoints in real-time.
Data based on historical queue analysis and current period forecasts. Check "Live Queue" section below for real-time updates.
Интерактивен календар
Кликнете върху дата, за да видите прогнозата
Избягвайте
(22.12–23.12, 26.12–30.12, 02.01–06.01)
Добре
(25.12, 01.01)
Най-добре
(24.12, 31.12, 07.01)
Нормален ден
Декември 2023
Пон
Вто
Сря
Чет
Пет
Съб
Нед
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Януари 2024
Пон
Вто
Сря
Чет
Пет
Съб
Нед
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
Избрана дата:
Време за чакане по часове
Combined data from 16 checkpoints
12
9
6
3
0
00
06
12
18
23
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the most popular questions about crossing the border during holidays
Holiday Queue Timing
Shortest queues are nights from 23:00 to 06:00 and early morning (06:00–09:00). On Christmas (Dec 24-25), expect maximum queues from 10:00 to 20:00. Travel at night — wait time drops from 3-4 hours to 15-30 minutes.
Christmas (Dec 24-25): Queues 90-180 minutes. Fewer people travel early (before 06:00).
New Year (Dec 31-Jan 1): Even longer queues — up to 180+ minutes. Travel 2-3 days earlier or later.
New Year (Dec 31-Jan 1): Even longer queues — up to 180+ minutes. Travel 2-3 days earlier or later.
Dec 27-30 is a "dead zone" between two celebration peaks. Most people have already crossed before Christmas or are waiting until New Year. Expect only 10-30 minutes — ideal travel time.
Yes, Dec 24-25 are the busiest days for exit. These are Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with maximum traffic. Queues are expected to reach 90-180 minutes during the day. To minimize waiting, travel at night (23:00-06:00) when traffic drops by 80%. Or postpone your trip to Dec 27-28 when most people have already reached their destinations. For trucks, the situation is critical — 37-hour waits have been recorded on Dec 22-24.
The best days to return are Jan 2-5. On Jan 1 and Dec 31, queues for entry to Ukraine reach peak values (180-420 minutes) as people rush home after celebrations. After official holidays, most guests stay with relatives for a few days, reducing traffic by half to 90-120 minutes. If you must travel Dec 31-Jan 1, go at night (23:00-06:00) — even on peak dates, queues are minimal then.
Main checkpoints (Shehyni, Krakovets, Rava-Ruska) handle up to 50% of all border traffic. With critical queues, consider alternatives: Nyzhankovychi (Lviv → Dukla, Poland) — less busy, though 30-50km longer; Smilnytsia (Ivano-Frankivsk → Krynica, Poland) — rarely used, usually 30-60 min wait; Tereblya (Zakarpattia → Vyšné Nemecké, Slovakia). Use nakordoni.eu to check alternative crossing queues before departure.
You cannot completely avoid queues, but you can minimize them with three strategies:
1. Time optimization: Travel at night (23:00–06:00) on any date. Even on peak days (Dec 24, 31), nights are calm with 15-30 min waits.
2. Day selection: Best exit dates are Dec 27-30. Best entry dates are Jan 2-5. Wait times under 90-120 min.
3. Alternative checkpoints: If main crossings are overloaded, try Nyzhankovychi or Smilnytsia.
4. eCherha system: Some checkpoints offer electronic queue booking in advance.
1. Time optimization: Travel at night (23:00–06:00) on any date. Even on peak days (Dec 24, 31), nights are calm with 15-30 min waits.
2. Day selection: Best exit dates are Dec 27-30. Best entry dates are Jan 2-5. Wait times under 90-120 min.
3. Alternative checkpoints: If main crossings are overloaded, try Nyzhankovychi or Smilnytsia.
4. eCherha system: Some checkpoints offer electronic queue booking in advance.
Yes. From October 2025, the EU is implementing EES (Entry/Exit System) — a biometric registration system for foreigners. The transition will last until April 2026. When entering the EU (including Poland), you will need to provide biometric data (fingerprints, facial photo). This adds 1-2 minutes per person to processing time, which accumulates in large queues. Plan for 20-30% more time than usual when entering the EU. This factor is already included in our queue forecasts.
Documents & Requirements
• Passport: Biometric, valid for at least 6 months
• Vehicle registration: Original
• Green Card: Mandatory car insurance
• For men: Military ID or TCC permit
• For children: Parental consent for travel
• Vehicle registration: Original
• Green Card: Mandatory car insurance
• For men: Military ID or TCC permit
• For children: Parental consent for travel
Ukrainians: Visa-free entry for 90 days within 180 days. No visa needed.
EES (from 2025): Automatic biometric registration on first EU entry.
EES (from 2025): Automatic biometric registration on first EU entry.
Practical Tips
1. Travel at night: 23:00–06:00 — 15–30 min wait
2. Choose another crossing: If main one is overloaded
3. Check nakordoni.eu: Live queue data
4. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays: Busiest days
2. Choose another crossing: If main one is overloaded
3. Check nakordoni.eu: Live queue data
4. Avoid Fridays and Saturdays: Busiest days
• Documents easily accessible
• Charged phone + charger
• Water and snacks
• Warm blanket (winter)
• Entertainment for kids
• Charged phone + charger
• Water and snacks
• Warm blanket (winter)
• Entertainment for kids
Traveling with Children
• Travel consent: From both parents (if child under 16)
• Birth certificate: When traveling with one parent
• Child's passport: Biometric or travel document
• Divorce certificate: If parents are divorced
• Birth certificate: When traveling with one parent
• Child's passport: Biometric or travel document
• Divorce certificate: If parents are divorced
Emergency Situations
1. Turn on hazard lights
2. Call 112
3. Move car to side if possible
4. Call tow truck
Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
2. Call 112
3. Move car to side if possible
4. Call tow truck
Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
• Ask the officer for the reason
• Request the checkpoint commander
• Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
• Document the incident (officer number, time, date)
• Request the checkpoint commander
• Border Guard hotline: +38 (0)44 290-8901
• Document the incident (officer number, time, date)