Medyka & Shehyni Border Crossing

The Busiest Pedestrian Crossing

Important Note for Travelers: Due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, this border crossing is a critical lifeline and experiences extremely long and unpredictable wait times for both vehicles and pedestrians. It is absolutely essential to consult official government sources and live queue data for the most up-to-date information on its operational status before planning any travel.

The border crossing connecting the Ukrainian village of Shehyni with Medyka in Poland is one of the most famous, busiest, and most chaotic checkpoints on the entire border. Its unique and defining feature is that it is the only crossing with a major, permanently open pedestrian checkpoint. This makes it a vital link not just for vehicles, but for the thousands of people who cross on foot every day. It is a place of constant, intense human movement, a bustling, often overwhelming hub of cross-border shoppers, workers, and, since 2022, a primary point of entry for refugees. To cross here is to experience the border at its most raw and human level.

Operational Details

This checkpoint connects Ukraine’s Lviv Oblast with Poland’s Podkarpackie Voivodeship. It is a major international crossing, operating 24/7 and open to passenger cars, buses, and pedestrians. While it also processes freight, the most significant volume is in passenger traffic. It is located on the main road to the historic Polish city of Przemyśl, which is just a few kilometers from the border. The pedestrian crossing is a separate facility, a long, covered walkway where people queue to have their documents checked.

Before Crossing

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A History of a Border Town

The history of this crossing is the history of the close relationship between the Lviv region and the city of Przemyśl. For centuries, under the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, this was an internal administrative region. The border established after World War II created a hard frontier. After Ukraine’s independence, Medyka became a famous “bazaar” town, where a huge market thrived on cross-border trade, with Ukrainians coming to sell goods and Poles coming to buy cheaper products. In the early days of the 2022 invasion, the Medyka crossing became a global symbol of the refugee crisis, as hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians, mostly women and children, crossed here on foot into Poland, where they were met by volunteers from around the world.

Border Crossing Procedure

The border crossing procedure is a rigorous and often very crowded process. For vehicles, it involves a standard two-part check at the Ukrainian and Polish checkpoints, but the queues can be extremely long. For pedestrians, the process involves a long walk and queuing in separate facilities. You will first go through the Ukrainian exit control at Shehyni. You then walk several hundred meters through a “no man’s land” to the Polish entry checkpoint at Medyka for a full EU and Schengen Area inspection. You will need a valid passport. The queues can be very long, and the process can take many hours, with limited shelter from the elements. Patience and resilience are essential.

The Surrounding Region

The surrounding area is rich in history. On the Ukrainian side, Shehyni is a small border village. The crossing is a primary gateway to the city of Lviv. On the Polish side, the main destination is the beautiful and historic city of Przemyśl. Situated on the San River, Przemyśl is one of the oldest cities in Poland, with a stunning old town, numerous churches, and a magnificent castle. It was also the site of a major fortress and a series of brutal sieges during World War I. The city serves as a major hub for humanitarian aid and support for Ukraine.

Essential Practical Planning

Practical planning is absolutely critical. For pedestrians, be prepared for long waits in potentially harsh weather. Wear comfortable shoes and have water and snacks. For vehicles, be prepared for extreme queues. Have a full tank of fuel and all necessary supplies. The official currencies are the Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH) and the Polish Złoty (PLN). There are numerous currency exchange points (kantors) in Medyka and Shehyni, but the rates can be variable. You will need the Polish `e-TOLL` system if you are driving a vehicle over 3.5 tonnes. Always check the latest official information on queue lengths before travel.

Final Considerations

The Shehyni–Medyka border crossing is a place of intense human drama. It is a vital artery for people, a symbol of both economic necessity and human crisis. The experience of crossing here, especially on foot, is a powerful immersion into the realities of this border. It is a place of chaos, resilience, and profound human connection. More than any other crossing, it shows the human face of the border, a place of goodbyes, reunions, and the relentless, hopeful movement of people.