Pilgrimage to Uman: open routes, why there are no direct flights, and how much it costs

There are no direct flights to Ukraine, so pilgrims travel through neighboring countries. How much does the journey to Uman cost and what routes are still open.

A week before Rosh Hashanah

There are only a few days left until the holiday, and thousands of pilgrims from Israel and other countries are trying to figure out how to get to Uman. Direct and simple options have become fewer. Charters promised back in the summer are being massively canceled. The flights that remain are sold at inflated prices.

Why there are no direct flights to Ukraine

Before 2022, the pilgrimage looked different: charters from Israel flew directly to Kyiv or Odessa, sometimes even closer — to airports in the Cherkasy or Vinnytsia regions. Then it was just a few hours by bus, and thousands of Hasidim found themselves at the grave of Tzadik Nachman.

But after the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine closed its skies to civilian flights. The reason is simple: the danger of missile strikes and the need to fully utilize the airspace for defense purposes.

Since then, pilgrims have been forced to build routes through neighboring countries. Now the journey stretches over two to three days and includes transfers, border crossings, and long bus rides.

What routes remain

Pilgrims are looking for any options, and as of today, several directions are available:

• Romania — via Bucharest (8–9 hours by bus) or via Iasi (about 6 hours).

• Poland — from Warsaw and Rzeszow the journey takes about 7 hours.

• Hungary — from Budapest about 9–10 hours of travel.

• Moldova — the airport in Causeni is closer, but small and overloaded.

• Other countries — Bulgaria, Latvia, Lithuania, Czech Republic. These routes are longer: after the flight, pilgrims have to travel another 12 or more hours.

Challenges on the way

• queues and checks at borders;

• unstable schedules;

• rising ticket and bus transportation prices;

• fatigue from long transfers.

How much it costs

The cost of the trip has almost doubled compared to pre-war years. A plane ticket plus a bus can cost a pilgrim several hundred dollars. For families with children, the amount becomes a serious barrier.

“Today, the road to Uman is a test. It requires a lot of patience and quite a bit of money,” note the trip organizers.

Uman is preparing to welcome guests

Despite the difficulties, the city itself is already living in anticipation of the pilgrims. Tents and canopies for prayers are being set up, temporary sleeping places are being arranged. Vendors and property owners are preparing the infrastructure — from food stalls to room rentals.

War context

The situation is complicated by the war. Ukraine remains a country under constant threat, and the pilgrims’ path lies through borders where control has become stricter. But the tradition is not interrupted: tens of thousands still go.

Israeli perspective

For Israelis, the trip to Uman is more than just a journey. It is part of religious and cultural identity, and therefore even difficulties do not become an obstacle. Israeli government structures monitor the situation and work with Ukraine to facilitate the process as much as possible.

NAnews — News of Israel emphasizes: preparation for the pilgrimage has become a test of strength for both Ukrainian services and international carriers.

Conclusions

• There have been no direct flights to Ukraine since 2022 due to the war and the threat of missile attacks.

• Pilgrims are forced to travel through Romania, Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and other countries.

• The journey has become longer and more expensive, but thousands of people continue the tradition.

• Uman is ready to receive pilgrims despite all the difficulties.

Rosh Hashanah in Uman will take place again — even if the journey to it now takes not hours, but days.