Record 136,000 Daily Crossings Push EU Border Traffic to All-Time High

Surge at Border Checkpoints

According to Radiotrek — Світ: During the summer of 2026, Ukraine's western border crossings are experiencing a dramatic increase in traffic. According to Andriy Demchenko, spokesperson for the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, between 113,000 and 118,000 people crossed the border daily last week. On particularly busy days-Saturday and Sunday-the number of crossings soared to 130,000 and 136,000, respectively.

Bus transport has also seen a sharp rise. In spring, roughly 350 to 400 buses departed Ukraine each day; now that figure has climbed to 580 daily buses. Nearly half of all passenger traffic moves through the Ukrainian-Polish border, with the Shehyni and Krakivets checkpoints being the most popular. Heavy congestion is also reported at the border with Hungary, especially at the Tysa and Luzhanka crossings. Meanwhile, the Moldovan route accounts for about 20% of total passenger flow.

Traveler Tips

To help travelers plan ahead, border checkpoint congestion data is refreshed every three hours. This enables people to schedule their trips based on real-time conditions at the frontier.

“We recommend planning trips on weekdays and considering early morning hours for crossing the border.” – Andriy Demchenko

The rising passenger volume at Ukraine's western border may stem from several factors, including seasonal travel, holiday periods, and increased citizen mobility.

• Seasonal trips
• Vacations
• Greater mobility among citizens

Providing updated information on checkpoint congestion is a key step toward improving traveler services, which can help reduce stress at the border. These trends highlight the need for effective crowd management to ensure safety and comfort at the frontier.

The surge in border traffic has not come without its challenges. Recently, bus crossings at the Polish border were suspended due to ongoing roadwork, which has further complicated travel plans for many. For those planning their journeys, understanding the current situation at the border is essential. To learn more about the impact of these disruptions on travel, check out the details in our report on the suspension of bus crossings.