Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, there are no commercial flights operating to or within the country. This page is for planning future travel only. When airspace reopens and it's safe to fly again, you can book flights to Chernobyl here at Alternative Airlines.
Since Chernobyl does not have its own commercial airport, most travellers fly to a nearby international airport and then continue by road or organised tour service.
Please note: Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, all commercial flights to and from Ukrainian airports are currently suspended. This includes both Boryspil (KBP) and Kyiv Zhuliany (IEV).
While Boryspil and Zhuliany are the easiest, you can also arrive via international airports in neighbouring countries then continue overland:
There is no direct scheduled air service into the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone itself. You will need to complete the final leg by road, bus or tour transport.
When airspace reopens and it's safe to fly again, the following airlines are expected to resume service into Kyiv and nearby hubs.
Alternative Airlines will update all flight information as soon as it's safe to travel and flights resume. You’ll be able to search, compare and book with over 600 global carriers when the time comes.
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Chernobyl has become one of the most talked-about dark tourism destinations in the world. Interest spiked after the acclaimed HBO mini-series, but the draw goes far beyond that.
People visit for different reasons:
Guided tours typically include visits to both Pripyat and the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. These are highly controlled and restricted zones, and it's important to follow the instructions of your guide at all times.
Chernobyl is what’s known as a dark tourism site - a place marked by past tragedy. Visiting such sites can offer perspective, education and remembrance. If you're curious about similar destinations, you can also read about others such as Auschwitz, Hiroshima and Ground Zero on our dedicated dark tourism page.
Yes! Visiting Chernobyl on a guided tour is considered safe for short stays. The exclusion zone remains restricted for good reason, but tourism is tightly controlled and access is limited to areas deemed safe by radiation experts.
For context, the level of radiation you’re exposed to during a typical tour is often compared to what you’d receive during a long-haul flight. It's low enough not to pose a health risk for short visits.
Some parts of the zone, including parts of the main reactor site, are completely off-limits to the public due to higher radiation levels. But licensed tour guides follow strict routes and protocols to avoid these areas.
When leaving the exclusion zone, radiation levels on your clothing and body are scanned to make sure you're safe to exit. These checks are mandatory and help ensure peace of mind for every visitor.
Chernobyl is located in northern Ukraine, near the Belarusian border. The Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant lies just outside the abandoned city of Pripyat, around 110 km (68 miles) north of Kyiv.
Despite the name, the power plant itself isn’t inside the city of Chernobyl. It’s roughly 14.5 km (9 miles) northwest of the town, which still exists but with limited inhabitants.
The surrounding area is known as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, a 30 km restricted radius established after the 1986 disaster. It covers both urban ruins and uninhabited countryside.
Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, access to this region is currently not possible. The safety of civilians and tourists cannot be guaranteed at this time, and all travel into the area is strongly discouraged. This information is provided for future reference when peace and safety are restored.
Note: Due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, all travel to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone is currently suspended. The details below are for future planning only.
When air travel to Ukraine resumes, the nearest and most convenient airport for visiting Chernobyl will be Boryspil International Airport (KBP). It's the largest international airport in Ukraine and is located just outside Kyiv.
From Boryspil, you can reach Kyiv city centre in under an hour by car or public transport. Most organised tours to Chernobyl depart from Kyiv, making it the best base for travel.
Chernobyl is about a 2-hour drive from Kyiv. The most practical and widely available way to visit is by joining a licensed tour operator. These tours typically include transport, permits, and a guided visit to the exclusion zone.
Independent travel to Chernobyl is not permitted unless you receive special authorisation from the Zone Administration Department - a process generally reserved for researchers, journalists or officials.
Right now, you can’t book flights to Chernobyl or anywhere in Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. All air travel to Ukrainian airports is suspended, and tours to the exclusion zone are paused for safety reasons.
But when it's safe to travel again, Alternative Airlines will be ready to help you book. You’ll be able to search flights to Kyiv, compare over 600 global airlines, and choose flexible ways to pay, all in one place.
Bookmark this page - we’ll keep this page updated with the latest travel information.
No. All tourism to Chernobyl is currently suspended due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The area, including the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone and the abandoned city of Pripyat, is not accessible to the public for safety reasons.
This includes the suspension of all organised tours and travel from Kyiv. For those interested in visiting in the future, we recommend following updates from Ukrainian authorities and reputable tour operators.
Yes, it’s very likely that Chernobyl tours will resume when the region is stable and declared safe for travel again.
Before the war, guided tours were operating regularly and were closely regulated to ensure visitor safety.
Once conditions allow, the Ukrainian government is expected to reopen access to the exclusion zone through licensed tour companies.
Yes - when tours are operating, visiting Chernobyl with a licensed guide is considered safe for short periods. The routes are carefully planned to avoid high-radiation areas, and the exposure levels in tourist zones are minimal.
To put it in context, the amount of radiation you’d receive on a full-day tour is roughly equal to what you'd be exposed to during a long-haul flight.
Radiation scanners are used when entering and exiting the zone to ensure that visitors are not carrying contamination.
To visit Chernobyl, you must book a guided tour through an authorised operator. These tours typically depart from Kyiv and include transport to and from the zone, permits and a guide trained in safety protocols.
Tours range from day trips to multi-day experiences and usually include stops at Pripyat, the Duga radar, and viewing areas near the reactor site. Visitors must bring valid ID and follow strict safety guidelines throughout the trip.
The closest airport to Chernobyl is Boryspil International Airport (KBP), located about 30 km from central Kyiv and approximately 110 km from the exclusion zone.
Before the war, this was the main international gateway for travellers coming to Ukraine. Once flights resume, Boryspil will likely remain the most practical arrival point for anyone planning a Chernobyl visit, with onward travel typically handled by your tour operator.
No, independent visits to the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone are not allowed. Entry is only permitted through approved tours, which require registration and permission from Ukrainian authorities.
Special exemptions may be granted to researchers, journalists or officials, but even these visits are subject to strict controls and radiation safety protocols. Touring with a licensed guide ensures both legal access and visitor safety.
Yes! There is still a great deal to see.
