Ukraine Travel

VISAS TO UKRANE AND PASSPORTS

Citizens of the United States, European Union, Swiss Confederation, Liechtenstein, Canada, and Japan DO NOT need visas for entering Ukraine. The rule is valid for short term visits, up to 90 days. After the 1st of September, 2005 it has turned from a temporary campaign to a permanent provision of the Ukrainian Law. However, for the reconfirmation, we would recommend to contact the Ukrainian Consulate in your country before travelling.

For obtaining a tourist visa to Ukraine at the Ukrainian Consulates for citizens of other countries, the following will be required:

  • Visa support (letter of invitation and/or hotel(s) confirmation)
  • Your passport
  • Photo(s)
  • Consular processing fee receipts
  • Visa Application Form

The list of the documents is not final. Consulate may require additional documents. We advise to contact the Consulate in your country for detailed information.

To apply for any of the visas listed below, fill out a Visa Application form at the most convenient Ukrainian Consular Office.

It is advisable to apply for a visa not less than one month prior to your prospective departure date.

In case of need, a Consular Officer may request additional documents that would in a better way specify the purpose of the alien's trip or invite a certain person for an additional interview.

AIRLINES THAT FLY TO UKRAINE AND WITHIN UKRAINE

Aerosvit

380 (44) 490-3-490

 http://www.aerosvit.ua/eng

Air Baltic

380 (44) 238-26-49

http://www.airbaltic.com

Carpatair - Discount airline based in Timisoara, Romania, flies to Kyiv.

WizzAir now flies domestically in Ukraine, and will soon be expanding its services internationally to Poland, Germany and London.

Ukraine International

380 (44) 461-50-50

http://www.ukraine-international.com/

AllB Agency has a service of purchasing domestic flight/train tickets for our clients for discount prices through domestic travel agencies, please contact us here for more details (official@allbeautiful.net)

UKRAINE AIRPORTS

There are two airports in Kyiv: Boryspil (KBP) and Zhulyany (IEV).



Most International flights operate to and from Boryspil International Airport in Kyiv. It is located about 40km (25mi) South-East of the city centre.



Domestic flights operate to and from Boryspil airport and Zhulyany Airport in Kyiv. It is located about 40km (25mi) South-East of the city centre.



Air Tickets Assistance: +380 (44) 490-49-01 / 056 / 085



There are also airports in these cities of Ukraine:


Dnipropetrovs'k (phone: +380 562 395209; ticket booking: +380 562 34 11 34 / 39 55 07),

Donets'k (phone: +380 622 51 53 22; ticket booking: +380 622 57 44 22),
Odesa (phone: +380 482 39 33 12; ticket booking: +380 482 22 34 56). Odesa's airport is about 12km (7mi) south-west of downtown.

Simferopol (phone: +380 652 29 55 16),

L'viv (phone: +380 322 69 21 12; ticket booking: +380 322 69 23 99). The airport in Lviv is about 8km (5mi) west of the city centre.

Kharkiv (phone: +380 572 51 64 08; ticket booking: +380 572 21 84 41), and

Zaporizhzhya (phone: +380 612 64 42 27 / 64 25 65).

GETTING AROUND UKRAINE BY TRAIN

The 22,3 km's (14 miles) of railway track link most Ukrainian cities and towns. International links extend from Kyiv to other CIS and European countries as well. There are direct lines to Warsaw (Poland), Krakow (Poland), Wroclaw (Poland), Pshemysl (Poland), Moscow (Russia), St.Petersburg (Russia), Vladyvostok (Russia), Murmans'k (Russia), Minsk (Belarus), Brest (Belarus), Berlin (Germany), Bratislava (Slovakia), Prague (Czech), Budapest (Hungary), Sofia (Bulgaria), Varna (Bulgaria), Vienna (Austria), Riga (Latvia), Belgrade (Yugoslavia), Zagreb (Croatia), Cishinau (Moldova) and others.

Kyiv Central Railway Station is located at Vokzal'na Square.

Inquiry phone: 005 / +380 (44) 503-70-05

To purchase international tickets go to Pivdenny Terminal of the Central Railway Station, booth #42-43

Web-site: www.uz.gov.ua (only in Russian and Ukrainian)



Central Ticket Office in Kyiv is located at T.Shevchenka Str., 38/40

Booking phone: 050 / 465-19-17 / 503-60-51

Delivery: +380 (44) 503-60-50

There is also a Ticket Office at Boryspil Airport and many of them throughout the city.

If you fly in Ukraine into Boryspil International Airport and plan to get around Ukrainian cities by train, we can buy for you inland train tickets before your arrival and send them to your postal address in your country. Contact us for details.

GETTING AROUND UKRAINE BY BUS

Ukrainian National Bus Lines serve almost every city and town in Ukraine. The older fleet of buses would suffice for short trips, although sometimes are overcrowded and dirty. So, for the price, train travel is a more comfortable option. "Deluxe" Bus travel is, however, available also by private companies and is not a bad choice.



There are regular bus schedules to the Polish cities of Warsaw, Krakow, Lublin, etc., with the ticket for the Warsaw route cheaper than by train. It is an overnight trip however and as you can imagine a bit of an uncomfortable sleeping experience.



From Kiev the Polish bus departs from the Dachna Bus Terminal, Peremohy Prospect 142.

Kiev Central Bus Station is located at Moskovs'ka Square. One Trolleybus or Minibus (Marshrutka) stop from the Lybids'ka Metro Station.

Bus Tickets Assistance: +380 (44) 451-86-28

Inquiry phone: +380 (44) 265-04-30 (no english)

Tickets: +380 (44) 265-02-54 (no english)



You can purchase your tickets at the Bus Station, but it's better to do so in advance.


Web-site: www.bus.com.ua (only in Russian)

GETTING AROUND UKRAINE BY CAR

All you'll need in order to travel by car in Ukraine is your International Driving Permit, Proof of Insurance, and Nerves of Steel to communicate with local traffic police officers and reckless drivers in Ukrainian roads. Otherwise, it’s better to use a local Ukrainian driver with his own car. Contact us for a quote for car with driver rental during your visit Ukraine.

If you must, you can rent a car at major hotels in Kiev and through car rental agencies in all major cities in Ukraine.

Car rental in Ukraine - “Hertz"


http://www.hertz.com

Phone: (380 44) 296 7616, 296 7614, 296 7715

OSC "Atass-Borispil" accepts orders for transportation of travelers on the territory of Kyiv and Ukraine.

Inquiry number: (380 44) 296 7367, (380 4494) 52 486

Car Hire Ukraine - Sixt rent a car

In Ukraine you can hire cheap cars from Sixt in the following towns:

http://www.sixt.com/car-rental/ukraine/

Car Hire Ukraine – “Budget” car rental

Budget office in Boryspil apt is in Terminal "F". For inquiries call us +38 044 490 10 88
http://www.budget.ua/en

USEFUL CONTACTS FOR TRAVEL AROUND UKRAINE:

Railway station (information service) 005

Bus terminal (information service) (380 44) 250-9986, 265-0492

Boryspil airport (information) (380 44) 296-7243

Kyiv airport (Zhuliany) (information service) (380 44) 242-2308, 242-2309

River port (information) (380 44) 416-1268

Ticket reservation and delivery:
airtickets 056, (380 44) 211-3933

bus tickets (380 44) 211-3933

train tickets 050, 085

Taxi service:

058 General Information

"Avtosvit" (380 44) 234-4444

"Ukrprominvest" (380 44) 574-0574

ACCOMMODATION IN UKRAINE

AllB Agency will be happy to coordinate and help you with best hotel references around Ukraine, in particular, Kiev hotels, Odessa hotels, Kharkov hotels, Yalta hotels, Donetsk hotels, Dnipripertrovsk hotels, Mariupol hotels, Lugansk hotels and any other Ukraine city or town hotels where you intend to visit while in Ukraine.

PHOTOS HOTELS IN KIEV, KHARKOV, ODESSA

AllB Agency is also ready to help you with accommodations in private apartment for stay in Ukraine, in all major cities of Ukraine, do not hesitate to contact us

See sample apartments for rent in Ukraine here:
Kiev apartments
Odessa apartments
Kharkov apartments

TRAVEL GUIDE TO UKRAINE

Time

Ukrainian Time is +2 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) It is altered twice a year to save electric power. The watches are set one hour forward in the last week of March and it's called Summer Time. The watches are set one hour backward in the last week of October and it's called Winter Time. To find out the exact time, dial 060.

Electricity

Electrical appliancies operate at 220V in Ukraine. Plugs and wall sockets differ from North America and the U.K., being of European two pin style. So, don't forget to take an International Power Adaptor and a power converter. Traveling with electronics will become much easier. For valuable equipment, you may consider bringing a surge protector. Please note: Ukraine uses more than one type of outlet configuration: you could find European outlets (new) and old Soviet type. The difference is in the diameter of the pins. European pins are thicker then the Soviet type ones.

Water

It's not recommended to drink tap water in Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine. The better choice will be to just buy bottled water for drinking. You should be aware however that some bottled water from the smaller Kiosks can be counterfeit. The brand BonAqua or Morshins'ka seems to be the best bet as far as getting the genuine product. Also for cooking or drinking (after boiling) you could always use different types of filters (water purifyers) which you can get at the supermarkets.

Money

The National Currency is Hryvnia (Hryvna, Hryvnya, Grivna). 1 Hryvnia equels 100 kopiykas.

Lettered code - UAH, numeric code - 980, abbreviated name - Hrn. Issuing institution - the National Bank of Ukraine.

There are bills for 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, and 500 Hryvnia. There are coins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, and 50 kopiykas. Also there are 1, 2, and 5 Hryvnia coins as well as some commemorative collectible coins. The artist of all circulation coins of all denominations is V.Lopata.

USA dollars and Euros are the most popular foreign currency in Ukraine, so it is preferrable to bring US dollars or Euros with you. Use of them is officially forbidden in shops, bars and restaurants. There are a lot of currency exchange places throughout the city; at the hotels, banks and airports. Make sure your foreign currency bills are new looking and crisp. Written-on, torn or crumpled banknotes are usually rejected or could be exchanged only at the banks and sometimes at a lower rate. Your passport is not required for the exchange of currency. Avoid changing money with private individuals.

Personal checks practically don't exist in Ukraine, but many places in Kiev have started to accept major credit cards like Visa or MasterCard and some others. Travellers' checks could be cashed at the banks for 3%. American Express does not have an office in Ukraine to replace lost checks.

It is better to have cash with you as well and not to rely solely on credit cards and travellers' checks. (Tel in Ukraine: 8 (800) 500 222 0 (toll free) Participating ATM Networks: Raiffeisen Bank Aval)

Where to get or cash Travellers Checks:

ATM Machine in Kharkov

ВТБ (VTB) Bank, http://vtb.com/, 0 800-50-777-60 (toll free)

Oschadbank of Ukraine, http://www.oschadnybank.com/, +380 44 247-85-54

Pravex Bank, http://www.pravex.com/, 0 800-500-4500 (toll free)

Privat Bank, http://www.privatbank.ua/, 0 800-500-0030 (toll free) 

Raiffeisen Bank Aval, http://www.aval.ua/, +380 44 490-88-88 (24 / 7) 

Ukrsotsbank, http://www.usb.com.ua/, +380 44 205-45-53 

UkreximBank, http://www.ukreximbank.com.ua/, +380 44 247-89-92

You could get money using your credit card out of the ATM machines (local word for it is "Bankomat") throughout the city. But make sure the ATM you are going to use is located in a public place, like shopping malls, hotels, inside the banks or next to the banks, inside the travel agencies or ticket offices, etc. Make sure, your card logo is on the ATM machine. Usually ATMs offer Hryvnias. Only a few locations could offer you dollars via an ATM. Instructions are in Russian, Ukrainian or English.

National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)

National Bank of Ukraine (NBU)

Address: 9 Instytutska St., Kyiv 01601
Tel: (+380 44) 253-01-80
Fax: (+380 44) 230-20-33, 253-77-50
Telex: 131018 NBNK UX, 131251 KIJ UX
Web-site: National Bank of Ukraine (Ukrainian/English)

The evolution of the national banking system in Ukraine started in March 1991, after the adoption of the Law of Ukraine "On Banks and Banking" by the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada. The Ukrainian banking system is a two-tier structure consisting of the National Bank of Ukraine and commercial banks of various types and forms of ownership including the state-owned Export-Import Bank and a specialized commercial Savings Bank (Oschadny Bank). Read more about the banking system of Ukraine here

Major banks in Ukraine are:

Raiffeisen Bank Aval
Web-site: www.aval.ua (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Privat Bank
Web-site: www.privatbank.ua (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Pravex Bank
Web-site: http://www.pravex.com/ (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Oschadny Bank
Web-site: http://www.oschadnybank.com/ (in Ukrainian)

Universal Bank
Web-site: http://www.universalbank.com.ua (in Ukrainian)

Ukrsibbank
Web-site: http://www.ukrsibbank.com/ (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Ukrsotsbank
Web-site: http://www.ukrsotsbank.com/ (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Ukrprombank
Web-site: www.ukrprombank.ua (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Procredit Bank
Web-site: http://www.procreditbank.com.ua/ (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Finance & Credit Bank
Web-site: www.fc.kiev.ua (in Ukrainian / Russian / English)

Money Transfer

There are several money transfer systems available in Ukraine, but the biggest and the most popular ones are : Western Union and Money Gram. Nowdays the best rates for transfering money to / from Ukraine offers Money Gram. Use Money Gram Agent Locator to find the nearest Money Gram Agent. Nearly every bank represents one or several Money Transfer Systems. Just look for the sign on the bank.

You could also find Money Transfer Agents not at the banks but at the Money Transfer Stands (kiosk), usually located in the shopping malls or inside the metro.

It's also quite easy and cheap to transfer money inside of Ukraine using local money transfer agents.The biggest banks like Privat, Raiffeisen Aval and Pravex offer their own Money Transfer Systems. Privat offers Privat Money (in UAH, USD, EUR). Pravex has Pravex Telegraf (in UAH, USD, EUR) and it is the cheapest money transfer system. Reiffeisen Aval has Aval Express (in UAH) and Bystraya Pochta (in USD and EUR). Ukrsibbank has UKRSIB (in UAH, USD and EUR). Same as using Western Union (WU) or Money Gram (MG) you will have to fill in the appropriate form and the money will be transferred within 15 minutes, or less. These banks are wide spread and have got departments in every city in Ukraine. You will need your passport to send or receive the transfer.

Don't forget to make sure the chosen bank exists in the city you need to transfer money to.

Other Money Transfer Systems available in Kyiv and Ukraine are: UNIStream, SWIFT, Travelex, Contact, Anelik, VMT (Lider), BLIZKO, Xpress Money.

Money Gram

Banks: Pravex Bank, Nadra Bank, Ukrprombank, Prominvestbank, Finance & Credit Bank, Ukrexim Bank, UkrGas Bank

Characteristics:

* Worldwide

* In USD and EUR


Phone: +380 44 592-00-00 / 451-55-88 / 592-55-88

Web-site: Money Gram

Western Union

Banks: Pravex Bank, Privat Bank, Raiffeisen Aval, Nadra Bank, Ursibbank, Ukrprombank, Procredit, Prominvestbank, Finance & Credit Bank, Index Bank, Ukrexim Bank, UkrGas Bank

Characteristics:

* Worldwide

* In USD and EUR

* You cannot send more than 10 000 Hrv. or $600 per day.


Phone: +380 44 466-0-466 or 0 800 500-5000

Web-site: Western Union

Safety

Ukraine is a safe country in general. Kyiv and other big cities of Ukraine like Kharkov or Odessa are usually safer than the smaller towns. The city center is safer than the outskirts. Keep your valuables at the safe place, better somewhere in your inner pockets. Having a security belt while traveling might be wise. Also keep the photocopies of your documents (passport, drivers license) in a safe place just in case if the original would be lost or stolen. Don't flash a lot of money at the public places and try not to walk alone late at night. Don't open the door if you are not expecting anybody. If you are going to do business in Ukraine, learn the language! But in general, just use your common sense, like you would while travelling to any other country.

Metro (Subway)

Learning the Metro system will be key to enjoying all that Kyiv and other big cities have to offer. It’s quite cheap (2 UAH), safe, on time, and fairly simple to learn. Kharkov metro is easy to use and very convenient to get around the city too.

Taxi

Taxies in Ukraine are quite cheap, especially in the smaller towns. But the problem with Taxis are their drivers' lack of foreign language skills. The best taxi's are those with their company's phone number on the rooftop, or side, of the car. Others may be private taxi's which may be more expensive and less comfortable. Hitchhiking is common in Ukraine, but not recommended for tourists.

Credit Cards

Many places in Kiev and other big Ukrainian cities like Odessa, Dnipropetrovs'k, L'viv started to accept major credit cards like Visa or MasterCard and some other. But it is still recommended to have cash with you as well and not to rely solely on credit cards. Only use a Card to debit for cash at a safe location. If you do use your Credit Card, don't ever let it leave your site when handled by the seller.

Money Exchange

You can change money at the airport but the rate is not as good as in town. However you will need to have some local currency to get you to your Hotel. You should be able to get by changing about $100 at the airport, then the bulk of your monetary needs at a local money exchange point or at the bank later in town. Don’t change money with strangers on the street!! You will probably be tricked into losing your money and it’s ILLEGAL!!

Language

Hiring a translator/assistant can be money well spent especially on your first days in Ukraine if you are a bit concerned about making your way around on your own. Your translator can also help you with shopping, finding places of interest, setting up meetings and getting around Ukraine plans. Contact us here for a quote for hourly or daily interpreter/guide/assistant help in Ukraine.

Tipping

Tipping used to be non-existant. In recent years the introduction of modern restaurants and entertainment establishments with thier Western clientele have changed all that. Today you can expect to tip in an average Ukrainian establishment between 10 - 15 percent. In the more upscale enviornments tipping will be more in line with western standards. Sometimes it's included in the bill. Drivers are normaly not tipped, unless you feel he deserves it, then it's greatly appreciated.

Medical Care in Ukraine

Health is Wealth. Everybody will probably agree that one of the biggest treasures we have in this life is health. If you are healthy, you can do lots of things, for others and for yourself. If your loved ones are healthy, you are doubly happy. Wishing neither you nor your loved ones will ever need the information given below.

There are state and private hospitals in Ukraine. Very often private hospitals are open on the basis of the state ones. Sometimes they could even use the medical equipment and facilities of the state hospitals. As a rule, doctors from the smaller private hospitals work part time at the state ones as well. Usually, there are no lines at the private hospitals and you can get everything you need on the spot: to consult the specialists or do necessary tests. But anyway it's better to give them a call in advance and make an appointment.



If you need to visit a dentist, it's better to make an appointment beforehand, but if you've got a severe toothache and need an immediate treatment you'd be able to get in without a previous appointment.

Useful telephone numbers:

Information about Hospitalized Patients (Kyiv): 003

Pharmacy Information Service (Kyiv): 067

First Aid / Ambulance (State): 103