Ukraine — Travel Tips
Social Conventions
Ukrainian people are warm and particularly friendly to visitors. It is not at all uncommon for Ukrainians to invite strangers into their own homes. Formal attire is rarely required, though people dress smartly for the theater. Visitors should avoid ostentatious displays of wealth in public places.
International Travel
Getting There By Air
The main airline is Ukraine International Airlines (PS) (tel: (44) 581 5050; website: www.ukraine-international.com/eng). Aerosvit (VV) (tel: (44) 490 3490; website: www.aerosvit.ua/eng) operates domestic routes as well as serving a number of international destinations.
Departure Tax
None.
Main Airports
Kyiv - Borispol International (KBP) (tel: (44) 490 4777; website: www.airport-borispol.kiev.ua) is approximately 34km (21 miles) from central Kyiv. To/from the airport: Buses run to the city center for most of the day (journey time - approximately 1 hour). The arrival/departure point in central Kyiv is the central railway station. Taxis also run. Facilities: Banks/bureau de change, duty-free shops, restaurants, pubs, child facilities, left luggage and car hire.
Getting There By Water
Main ports:Ilyichevsk, Izmail and Odessa.
UkrFerry (tel: (8) 0482 344 059, in Ilyichyevsk; website: www.ukrferry.com) operates ferries from Odessa to Istanbul, Turkey; from Ilyichevsk to Poti and Batumi, Georgia; from Ilyichevsk to Varna, Bulgaria; and from Ilyichevsk to Derince, Turkey. Ferries are available to the Russian ports of Novorossiysk and Sochi. Ukraine’s most important internal waterway is the River Dnieper.
Several companies offer Black Sea cruises around the Crimean peninsula.
Getting There By Rail
Ukraine’s 22,730km (14,207 miles) of railway track link most towns and cities within the republic and further links extend from Kyiv to all other CIS member states. The main stations are Kyiv and Lviv. Regular daily services connect these stations with Moscow. There are international trains to many other major European cities. Fast ’firmeny’ trains are the most rapid, modern and comfortable trains. Tickets are cheap by UK standards. If traveling by overnight train, do not leave the compartment unattended.
Timetables for trains within CIS states, including trains to Ukraine, are available in English (website: www.poezda.net). The fastest train from Kyiv to Moscow takes 10 hours 30 minutes and to St Petersburg 25 hours 30 minutes.
Getting There By Road
Outside urban areas, Ukrainian roads can be badly lit and in poor condition. Border points are at Chop, Mostiska and Uzhgorod. A road tax is payable at the border. Petrol stations and repair garages are becoming more common, but it is recommended to carry spare parts. Diesel, leaded and unleaded petrol are available. Cash is usually required at petrol stations. Insurance cover can be difficult to arrange. See Getting Around for information on traffic regulations and documentation.
Coach: Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services to Ukraine. Passes: Travelers can book a 15- or 30-day pass.
Bus: A few buses run daily services from Kharkiv to Moscow.
Duty Free
Overview
The following items may be imported into Ukraine without incurring customs duty:
• 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco products.
• 1L of spirits and 2L of wine (persons over 20 years of age only).
• Goods for personal use, provided holding proof of their export, or imported under conditions of transit (toiletries and personal effects).
• Gifts up to the value of €200.
Prohibited Imports
Means of transportation that are five or more years old for permanent use in Ukraine, for selling or breaking into parts; strong, poisonous, radioactive or explosive substances or other objects that can harm the population and animals or contaminate the environment; printed materials, films, negatives, photos, movies, videos, computer disks, scripts, records and other audio recordings, drawings, and other printed materials that contain propaganda of war, racism or genocide; food products without the relevant certificate; seeds and plants. Animals require veterinary certificates issued by relevant Ukrainian authorities. Contact the Embassy of Ukraine for further details.
Internal Travel
Getting Around By Air
Domestic flights in Kyiv depart from both Borispol airport (KBP) and from Zhulany airport (IEV). Aerosvit (tel: (44) 490 3490; website: www.aerosvit.ua/eng) and Ukraine International Airlines (tel: (44) 581 5050; website: www.ukraine-international.com/eng) are the two main domestic carriers. Low cost airline Wizzair (tel: 0904 475 9500, in the UK; website: www.wizzair.com) also has a useful network of internal flights.
Getting Around By Water
Cruises between Kyiv, Odessa and Sevastopol are very popular and can be booked through various tour operators.
Getting Around By Rail
Trains are more reliable than air travel in winter, when aircraft are sometimes grounded. Timetables for trains in CIS states, including trains within Ukraine, are available in English online (website: www.poezda.net). Ukrainian Railways (tel: (44) 465 2111; website: www.uz.gov.ua) also publishes information online, but not in English.
Getting Around By Road
Traffic drives on the right. Right-hand drive cars are prohibited.
Bus: There are services to most cities and towns. One of the most modern and comfortable fleets of buses is operated by Autolux (tel: (44) 536 0055; website: www.autolux.com.ua). The company runs coaches to all the major cities and publishes its website in English.
Taxi: Hiring a driver for a long-distance journey is a realistic and affordable option.
Car hire: Self-drive hire cars are gradually becoming more available, with both local and international car hire operators renting cars in major towns.
Regulations: Speed limits are 60kph (37mph) in built-up areas, 90kph (55mph) in outside areas and 130kph (80mph) on the motorways. The DAI road police are very likely to stop foreign cars and ask for small bribes.
Documentation: An International Driving Permit is necessary.
Getting Around Towns and Cities
Kharkiv, Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk have clean, efficient and cheap metro systems where tickets can be purchased at vending machines inside the stations. Buses and trolleybuses are extremely crowded and rather slow, but good value. Taxis are easy to find in the cities. Official taxis have yellow and black signs on the roof and are metered. Fares should be negotiated in advance for private taxis. Some shared taxis and minibuses, known as marshrutky, exist on fixed routes.
Hitchhiking is very common, although not recommended. Travelers can indicate the need for a lift and the driver will take them to their destination cheaply by Western standards, but prices should be agreed in advance.
There are no public transport services from 0100-0500.
