Ukraine's Railway Launches Paid Wi-Fi, But Passengers Report Unstable Service.

Unstable Performance of Paid Wi-Fi on Ukrainian Railways

According to Novyny.live: Ukrainian Railways (Ukrzaliznytsia) introduced a paid Wi-Fi service in early 2026 on train No. 95/96, which runs between Kyiv and Rakhiv. Access costs 120 hryvnias per day. However, passengers have already expressed dissatisfaction with the service's unstable performance. The connectivity issues are attributed to Starlink terminal limitations, which cause the connection to become unreliable when the train's speed exceeds 75-90 km/h (approximately 47-56 mph). This rollout is part of a broader effort to modernize passenger amenities on long-distance routes.

While the average speed of buses in Ukraine is around 80 km/h, passenger trains can reach speeds of 120-140 km/h, and high-speed trains up to 160 km/h. This speed differential explains why the internet connection on the train is not always stable, as it spends most of its journey traveling at high velocities.

"This was implemented as a security measure to limit the use of Starlink on strike drones during the war." - Ukrzaliznytsia

Consequently, the deployment of paid internet is not only intended to provide passenger comfort but also considers aspects of national security in a country under active conflict.

Advice for Passengers

What else should travelers know? A conductor is required to collect passengers' bed linen 30 minutes before the train's arrival, an important detail for planning one's journey. In light of this, passengers are advised to account for these details during their trip and be prepared for potential difficulties with internet access. Travelers should consider downloading essential content before departure.

The situation with the paid Wi-Fi on Ukrzaliznytsia trains reflects both the technical challenges faced by carriers and the necessity of adhering to security protocols during wartime. While the service aims to improve passenger comfort, its implementation requires balancing safety factors, which can impact service quality. It is important for passengers to be aware of these nuances to better plan their journeys and account for possible limitations in internet access.