Curfew in Kyiv
Due to martial law, most regions of Ukraine have a curfew. This is a period of the day when people are not allowed to be outside without a special permit. In Kyiv, the curfew currently lasts from 12:00 am to 5:00 am.
In this guide, we explain what to do during curfew and what to expect in Kyiv during these hours.
Contents
Curfew rules in Kyiv
The main rule is simple: during curfew, you should stay indoors.
You can only go outside without a special permit in emergency situations, for example:
- To get to a shelter during an air raid alert;
- to reach a Point of Invincibility;
- to get home from the railway station if your train was delayed and arrived in Kyiv after midnight. This can sometimes happen because of missile attacks or power outages.
If you need to go outside between 12:00 am and 5:00 am, make sure to carry an ID and be ready to explain your situation to law enforcement officers patrolling the streets.
If you break curfew without a valid reason, you may be detained or fined.
How the city operates during curfew hours
- Most restaurants, shops, pharmacies, and other venues close by 10:00 pm.
- The metro runs until 11:00 pm, and ground public transport usually runs until about 10:30 pm. In practice, it’s safest to plan your trips so you arrive by 10:00 pm to avoid long waits or missing the last ride.
- During curfew hours, only two taxi services — Bolt and Uklon — operate, and only for emergency rides. Prices usually increase after about 11:00 pm.
How to check for curfew updates
Curfew hours may change depending on the security situation in a specific region, but this does not happen often. In Kyiv, the schedule was last changed on March 26, 2023, and has remained 12:00 am to 5:00 am since then.
If any updates are introduced, they are announced through official city channels and major news outlets.
Q&A about Curfew in Kyiv
Yes, due to martial law, there is a mandatory curfew in place across the capital. During these hours, being outdoors without a special permit is strictly prohibited, though there are essential exceptions for emergencies (such as going to a shelter during an air raid alert).
The official Kyiv curfew hours for 2026 are from 12:00 AM (midnight) to 5:00 AM. This schedule has remained consistent since March 2023, but you should always stay tuned to official city channels for any sudden updates.
Curfew begins precisely at 12:00 AM. To ensure everyone can get home safely, most restaurants and shops close by 10:00 PM. Ground public transport and the metro generally stop running between 10:30 PM and 11:00 PM, so it is highly recommended to plan your trips so you arrive at your accommodation by 10:00 PM.
