Kyiv Children's Railway, railway line in Ukraine
The Kyiv Children's Railway is a small train line running through Syretsky Park with two stations named Cherry and Yablonka. The 20-minute journey covers about 1.7 miles (2.8 kilometers) and includes a crossing over a high viaduct that spans a deep ravine at roughly 65 feet (20 meters) above ground.
The railway opened in 1953 as part of the Soviet educational system and remains one of few such lines surviving in Ukraine today. It has continuously combined vocational training for children with recreational train rides throughout its history.
The railway's name reflects its purpose as a place where children learn real railway work through hands-on practice. Young staff in uniforms handle tickets, board passengers, and announce stations, creating a functional miniature railway that lets visitors experience a Soviet-era approach to teaching children about professional skills.
The railway operates mainly on weekends and holidays from May to September when children conduct hands-on training. Start your visit at the ticket office at either station and keep in mind that young staff may have limited English, so pointing and gestures work well for communication.
Two different locomotives operate depending on the season: a small engine handles regular weekend service while a red steam engine fueled by coal operates on holidays, creating dramatic steam and noise. This variation means no two rides are quite the same and adds genuine railway excitement to the experience.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
