---
title: "Heatwave in Ukraine: How train air conditioners work and why they don't always save you from the stuffiness"
description: "🔥 The heatwave in Ukraine is breaking records — but trains continue to run on schedule. «Ukrzaliznytsia» explained why air conditioners don't always save you from the stuffiness and gave tips on how to survive the journey. The snowflake on the ticket is your main guide! 🚆❄️"
date: 2026-06-30T08:44:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/heatwave-in-ukraine-how-train-air-conditioners-work-and-why-they-dont-always-save-you-from-the-stuffiness
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Heatwave in Ukraine: How train air conditioners work and why they don't always save you from the stuffiness

![Passengers on a railway station platform in Ukraine waiting for a train on a hot day, illustrating the relevance of the topic of air conditioning in train cars](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/30/zhara-v-ukraine-kak-rabotayut-konditsionery-v-poezdakh/zhara-v-ukraine-kak-rabotayut-konditsionery-v-poezdakh-1.webp)

Ukraine has been hit by intense heat, and passengers of «Ukrzaliznytsia» are increasingly asking: why is it stuffy in trains even when they have air conditioners? The company has provided detailed explanations on how cooling systems work and offered advice on how to make the journey more comfortable during the scorching heat.

### Why the air conditioner doesn't cool the carriage immediately

«Ukrzaliznytsia» emphasized that, unlike in some European countries where extreme heat leads to speed restrictions or cancelled services, Ukrainian trains continue to run according to the schedule. However, this affects the performance of the climate control systems.

Air conditioners begin to work most effectively only after the train reaches a speed of over 40 km/h. If the outside temperature exceeds +30°C, the carriage cools down gradually. It is particularly difficult to maintain a comfortable microclimate on sections where the train moves slowly or is stuck in traffic.

### Routes at risk of overheating

Cooling problems occur more frequently on routes with difficult terrain or long stops. These include:

  - Mountain routes: Rahov, Solotvyn, Chop, Uzhhorod;

  - International services: Kyiv — Bucharest, Kyiv — Chisinau;

  - Sections involving border and customs control.

On these sections, the train may stand for a long time or move slowly, which reduces the efficiency of the air conditioners.

### How to choose a carriage with an air conditioner

Before buying a ticket, passengers are strongly advised to look for the snowflake icon next to the carriage number on the «Ukrzaliznytsia» website or app. This means the carriage is equipped with an air conditioning system. If the icon is crossed out, the air conditioner is not structurally provided, and you should not count on cooling.

### Why not all windows open

Another common question is why windows in some carriages do not open. The company explained that some of them are emergency exits and are not intended for ventilation. In other cases, the ability to open them depends on the carriage design.

### What to do if the air conditioner is not working

If the air conditioner is not functioning or ventilation is insufficient in a carriage where it should be present, passengers are advised to contact the conductor immediately. In many cases, the system can be further adjusted to improve air circulation.

### Tips for a comfortable journey in the heat

«Ukrzaliznytsia» recommends taking the following with you on scorching days:

  - A supply of drinking water;

  - A light snack;

  - Headwear;

  - A power bank;

  - A portable fan or hand fan.

People who find it difficult to tolerate the heat or have chronic diseases are recommended to consult with their family doctor regarding necessary medications before the trip.

### New schedule and record demand

From June 28, «Ukrzaliznytsia» introduced a new schedule: 12 new services began operating, some trains were switched to daily service, certain routes were accelerated, and service to Rahov and Yasinya was extended.

RBC-Ukraine previously reported record demand for summer trips, which significantly exceeds the number of available seats. It is particularly difficult to buy tickets for the Kyiv — Odesa and Kyiv — Lviv directions. To partially reduce the shortage, the company is adding extra carriages and services.