Are you thinking of visiting Ukraine and Poland? Here is our experience of the Ukraine Poland border crossing at Smil’nytsya and Kroscienko.
- About Ukraine and Poland
- Travel to Ukraine
- Options from Ukraine to Poland
- Smil’nytsya – Kroscienko
- Documentation
- Exiting Ukraine
- Entering Poland
- Border to Przeworsk
- Uzhhorod, Ukraine
- Zamosc, Poland
- More about travel in Eastern Europe
About the Ukraine Poland border
Interestingly, the Poland–Ukraine border is the most often crossed eastern border of the EU.
Most of the border traffic is generated by Ukrainian citizens. The pedestrian and vehicle border traffic is largely for trade and shopping tourism. However, the migration for labour since the start of the war has been another significant factor.
The border is heavily policed as it is also notoriously a major smuggling route into the EU.
We drove very close to the border (not near a border crossing) with Slovakia and the route was routinely guarded at intersecting open points along the road.
However, the good news for travellers wanting to cross overland between Ukraine and Poland is that despite the current situation with Russia, the Ukraine – Poland border is open to cross in both directions.
Is it safe to travel to Ukraine now?
Albeit travel to Ukraine does not exactly roll off the tongue as a hot destination for 2025.
We were entering from Romania to Ukraine to visit Uzhhorod, a city in far western Ukraine.
Uzhorrod is the capital city of the Transcarpathia Oblast (region). It is currently the only Ukrainian city that has yet to be targeted or touched by Russia and has not been invaded during the current war.
Location wise, Uzhhorod is literally just a few kilometres from the border with Slovakia and Hungary.
However, for a little disclosure first. I don’t want to be the one encouraging travel to places that aren’t safe. (No one needs to do that!).
All I can share is our experience of crossing the border from Romania to Ukraine and from Ukraine to Poland as we experienced at the time.
- Tip: Definitely do your research before visiting and check for travel warnings and news updates in the region.
Ukraine – Poland Border Crossing Points
There are currently nine Ukraine Poland border crossing points that are open. However, some of the border crossing points operate for trucks and heavy vehicles only.
The main Ukraine – Poland border crossing points are:
- Ustyluh – Zosyn
- Rava-Ruska – Hrebenne (from Lviv)
- Krakivets – Korczowa (from Lviv)
- Shekyni – Medyka
- Smil’nytsya – Kroscienko
We exited from Ukraine via the Ukraine Poland border crossing at Smil’nytsya – Kroscienko after visiting Uzhhorod.
The following is the details of our experience driving across the Ukraine Poland border crossing at Smil’nytsya to Kroscienko, Poland.
Crossing the Ukraine Poland border – Smil’nytsya to Kroscienko
Note that Smil’nytsya and Kroscienko are often spelt differently depending on the country and language.
- Smil’nytsya or Smiltsi
- Kroscienko or Korostenka
For the purpose of this blog, we refer to the crossing points as Smil’nytsya and Kroscienko according to Google Maps in English.
Why did we choose the Ukraine Poland border crossing at Smil’nytsya?
We were entering Poland through Ukraine after coming from Romania. We had spent time in the southwestern Ukraine cities of Uzzhorod and Muchakevo.
On this trip we didn’t plan to visit Slovakia again at this stage. So, it made sense for us on this trip to exit at the closest Poland border coming from the south.
The Smil’nytsya crossing point is the southernmost Ukraine Poland border crossing that is currently open.
- Read about things to do in Uzzhorod, Ukraine.
About the Smil’nytsya – Kroscienko border crossing point
The Smil’nytsya – Kroscienko crossing from Ukraine to Poland is the most southern crossing point to enter Poland.
It is a relatively small border crossing. On the Ukraine side of the border crossing, there are two passenger vehicle lanes that veer off to the left.
There is a separate lane for trucks leading off to the right-hand side. Though most private and commercial vehicles use the Polish border crossings near Lviv.
The Smil’nytsya border crossing is open 24-hours.
Staryava – Ukraine Poland Border Crossing at Smil’nytsya
On the map, Staryava is officially the last town before the border. Though it is a very small village.
We made one last stop at a shop in Khyriv first.
However, as you get close to the border area (past Staryava) there are three large service stations. We filled up our diesel tank here before entering back into the EU and EU-fuel-prices.
Exiting Ukraine – Ukraine Poland Border Crossing at Smil’nytsya
On the Ukraine side of the border crossing, there are two passenger vehicle lanes that veer off to the left. There is a separate lane for trucks leading off to the right-hand side.
We arrived mid-afternoon though it was reasonably quiet and there were just four vehicles ahead of us.
The border processing was fast. There are no shops or visible duty free (sorry!) options at this border crossing. It was not like exiting Moldova overland to Romania – or the duty-free options leaving Belarus!
Though it was a fast check through, and we were on our way in less than 10 minutes to enter Poland.
Entering Poland – Ukraine Poland Border Crossing at Smil’nytsya
Again, this side of the border crossing was fast.
There are similarly two lanes for passenger vehicles. The lanes enter the border terminal under a huge, roofed area.
As Poland does not require a country-wide vignette for vehicles under 3.5 tons, there is one less wait to pay at the terminal.
Plus, immigration was fast. Gavin took our passports to the border kiosk under the roofed area first and then all of us went in to get stamped entry.
The border customs officers had a look inside our van. They asked us a couple of questions about what we had been doing in Ukraine.
Then just like that we were on our way officially to Poland!
What documentation do you need for the Ukraine – Poland border crossing?
At the border crossing from Ukraine to Poland we were asked to provide:
- Passport
- Drivers License
- Vehicle Registration Card
- Green Card
We crossed the border in our EU-registered motorhome. Our Green Card insurance policy was valid for driving in Ukraine and Poland.
- Tip: Always make sure you have personal travel insurance too for wherever you may be travelling.
Driving from the Ukraine – Poland border crossing to Przeworsk
Our next stop in Poland was further north again as we were heading eventually towards Belarus, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
We had several options to take the more-major road towards Krosno and then north. Or to wind up one of the small highways towards Przeworsk and Zamosc.
In the end we opted for the smaller road. Which I can’t remember if that was by choice or unintentionally! But the drives in Poland are beautiful and we ended up spending our first night back in the EU by a beautiful, remote – though apparently famous – wooden church.
Did you see the murals before leaving the border area?
Before we left the border area there were a few murals on the walls of buildings near the road.
They are even marked on Google Maps – so we had to stop first and have a look!
Parking in Uzhhorod
We made the most of the public parking space in the road behind Mustard Seed Lane near the Central Market.
There are several parallel parking spots to suit longer (up to 7m) vehicles.
Payment for parking is possible by card at the automatic ticket machine.
Things to do in Uzhhorod, Ukraine
We enjoyed exploring the things to do in Uzhhorod:
- Central Market
- Uzhhorod Castle
- Korzo Street
- Uzhhorod Botanical Gardens
- Kresto-Vozdvyzhensky
- River Uzh
- Bozdos’kyi Park
- Pishokhidnyy Mist Bridge
- Linden Alley
- Uzhhorod Synagogue
- Christ the Saviour Cathedral
Plus, there are lots of great cafes and restaurants in Uzhhorod.
We can recommend (highly) the coffee and cake at EatMe Café and the Borscht at Verlep Restaurant!
- Read more about things to do in Uzhhorod, Ukraine.
Parking in Zamosc, Poland
Zamosc was our next main stop in Poland before heading further north and entering the Visa Free Region of Belarus.
In Zamosc there is motorhome parking just outside the main town square by the walls of the city. It is possible to stay overnight here in the carpark.
Read more about travel in Eastern Europe
- Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania.
- Border Crossing: Romania to Moldova.
- Border Crossing: Kosovo to North Macedonia.
- Things To Do In Podgorica, Montenegro.
- Things To Do In Belgrade, Serbia.
- Border Crossing: Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Border Crossing: Bosnia to Montenegro.
- Things To Do In Chisinau, Moldova.
More useful links for your travels in Europe and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Ukraine and crossing the border from Romania to Ukraine at Halmeu – Dyakove!
