--- title: "\"Ukrzaliznytsia\" expands station services: free lounges for military personnel in 22 cities and a new \"Chytalnia\" reading room in Kharkiv" description: "\"Ukrzaliznytsia\" provides round-the-clock free rest zones for military personnel at 22 stations in Ukraine, and a \"Chytalnia\" lounge with a café, free Wi-Fi, and a library has opened in Kharkiv." date: 2026-08-22T19:46:00.000Z lang: en url: https://xab.info/en/posts/ukrzaliznytsia-free-rest-zones-stations-chytalnia-kharkiv tags: [ukrzaliznytsia, railway-stations, kharkiv-lounge, passenger-services, ukraine-trains] publisher: "XAB.info" --- # "Ukrzaliznytsia" expands station services: free lounges for military personnel in 22 cities and a new "Chytalnia" reading room in Kharkiv ![Ukrzalyznytsia 'Chytalnia' reading zone at a train station: staff member at the desk with UZ and VISA logos, bookshelves on both sides](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/22/ukrzaliznytsia-sluzhy-na-vokzalakh-chytalnia-kharkiv/ukrzaliznytsia-sluzhy-na-vokzalakh-chytalnia-kharkiv-1.webp) ## 🎯 Key Points - In 22 cities of Ukraine, free rest zones for military personnel and families of fallen defenders operate round the clock at stations. - A "Chytalnia" lounge zone with a café, free Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a library of Ukrainian authors has opened on the second floor of Kharkiv station. - For the peak summer flow, "Ukrzaliznytsia" doubled the seats on train No. 23/24 Kyiv — Helm and brought vending machines back into trains. The Ukrainian railway carrier is systematically developing station infrastructure to make travel during the peak summer season more comfortable. At stations across the country, passengers have access to waiting rooms of varying comfort levels, service centers, rest rooms, food points, lockers, and baggage offices. The company pays special attention to social services: mother-and-child rooms operate at stations, and separate free spaces are provided for vulnerable passenger categories and military personnel. Below is what is available to travelers today and how the carrier is preparing for the growth in passenger traffic at the end of summer. ### Free rest zones for military personnel Round-the-clock, free rest zones at stations operate in 22 cities of Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Dnipro, Lviv, and other towns. Such a waiting room for the current or following 24 hours can be used by military personnel, as well as the families of fallen defenders — provided they have a ticket and supporting documents. This decision is aimed at giving people connected with the defense of the country the opportunity to rest in dignified conditions in high-traffic locations. ### "Chytalnia" in Kharkiv: a lounge with a café and library On the second floor of Kharkiv station, to the left of the main entrance, a comfortable lounge zone called "Chytalnia" (Reading Room) has opened, operating round the clock. The space offers high-speed Wi-Fi, power outlets for charging gadgets, a café serving coffee and meals, as well as a free library with works by Ukrainian authors. Shower rooms are available for an additional fee, and a place in the lounge can be booked through a special service. Thus, the station is becoming not only a transit hub but also a place for work, reading, and relaxation. ### Preparation for peak summer passenger traffic At the end of summer, the number of Ukrainians returning home and traveling abroad traditionally grows, causing railway routes to operate under maximum load. To cope with the flow, "Ukrzaliznytsia" is systematically increasing the number of seats and restoring familiar services in trains. In particular, the number of seats on train No. 23/24 Kyiv — Helm was doubled thanks to additional carriages, and vending machines with snacks and drinks were brought back into the train for passengers' convenience during the journey. ### A reminder of the rules for international routes For passengers on international routes, the carrier reminds them of the rules for issuing travel documents: to avoid misunderstandings at the border, it is important to correctly state your data and know how many errors in the surname are acceptable when checking tickets. The combination of these measures — from free rest zones and new lounges to the expansion of the carriage fleet — is aimed at ensuring that even under peak load, journeys remain predictable and comfortable. ## 🔍 Fact-Check Verification - [Free Wi-Fi, lounge, and rest rooms: what services are available at Ukrainian stations](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/bezkoshtovniy-wi-fi-launzh-ta-kimnati-vidpochinku-1787398759.html) - Подтверждает перечень услуг на станциях: залы ожидания, сервисные центры, комнаты отдыха, питание, камеры хранения, а также лаунж-зоны и Wi-Fi. - ["Ukrzaliznytsia" launches an important route between two major cities: how it will operate](https://www.unian.net/economics/transport/ukrzaliznycya-poezd-soedinit-dva-krupnyh-prifrontovyh-goroda-novosti-dnepra-13414584.html) - Контекст расширения/корректировки маршрутной сети перевозчика в условиях роста пассажиропотока; конкретные города маршрута в основе не раскрыты, поэтому в тексте не детализированы. ## ❓ FAQ ### Q: Who can use the rest zones at stations for free? **A:** Round the clock and free of charge, rest zones at 22 stations in Ukraine can be used by military personnel, as well as the families of fallen defenders — provided they have a ticket and supporting documents. ### Q: Where is the "Chytalnia" lounge in Kharkiv located and what is inside? **A:** It is located on the second floor of Kharkiv station, to the left of the main entrance, and operates round the clock. Inside — high-speed Wi-Fi, charging outlets, a café, and a free library of Ukrainian authors; showers are paid, and a place can be booked through a special service. ### Q: What is "Ukrzaliznytsia" doing for peak summer passenger traffic? **A:** The carrier is increasing the number of seats (for example, doubling them on train No. 23/24 Kyiv — Helm thanks to additional carriages) and bringing vending machines with snacks and drinks back into trains.