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The “Kyiv Express” train goes from Warszawa to Kyiv, (see Source); not sure how much it will be to go on from Kyiv to Lugansk, but I know it’s possible there is a good connection with sleeping car which my friend has taken. This will take 2 days, mind. But you’ll see a lot of countryside and make some friends!

There’s nothing to see in Chernobyl. Ground zero is not only somewhat dangerous (about the level of radiation of a couple of x-rays), but is generally off limits. There are no “sights” there. There is an express train from Warsaw to Kyiv and then a train on to Luhansk (Ukrainian spelling, Lugansk is Russian spelling). You will have to change trains in Kyiv. Both trains are overnighters (the Warsaw-Kyiv train may be about a 20-hour ride given the distance, and the train to Luhansk is about 12-14 hours). You should get a two- or four-berth compartment unless you speak either Ukrainian or Russian and want to socialize with everyone else on the train for two days. Prices on Ukrainian trains are very reasonable. I don’t know about the prices on Polish trains, but they may be more expensive.

Flights are much more expensive. And if you fly, only fly as far as Kyiv, and fly on a European airline and not on a Ukrainian airline (LOT is the Polish national airline and I have had good experience with them, but Malev, the Hungarian national airline, and Lufthansa also offer flights and good service from Warsaw to Kyiv). The airports in both Warsaw and Kyiv are nice and well-maintained. The Ukrainian planes tend to be old. When you land in Kyiv you will notice that the Ukrainians on the plane applaud when the wheels touch down–there’s a real happiness that the plane landed rather than crashed. Take a train from Kyiv to Luhansk.

Taivo is correct about the train from Warsaw to Kyiv, but his travel advice is a bit limited by his newness to Ukraine.

Ukrainian airlines are not overly expensive, and they fly jets of the same class/age as many American airlines. Aerosvit (not to be confused with Aeroflot) flys from Warsaw to Kyiv (and Lugansk) and I found booking prices on their website in the $200 range round trip (depending on schedule and time in advance to book).

So compare your time and the airline cost to a train ticket in a private berth in the train for 14 hours from Kyiv to Lugansk at roughly $70 each way. I like train travel, but it is a long ride. If you are really worried about the flight safety, keep in mind that trains in Ukraine derail quite regularly.

And don’t let Taivo scare you - the clapping is to thank the flight crew for a safe flight. It is a show of appreciation, not a show of relief.

As to Chernobyl, it is a relatively safe tour. The radiation risk is not that high, for a day trip. Just follow the rules, and stay on the pavement. It is closed to visit except by official tour. The “red forest” is a good sign of absolute death, you likely will talk to people who still live there, and Pripyat is really cool to see. It was almost new when it was abandoned. You can arrange a tour here:. Here is a site where you can learn more about Chernobyl: