|
|
Arriving at Kyiv
(Kiev) Boryspil Airport you will
pass through customs and enter through some double doors into the main
terminal. Through the throngs of people
you will be asked if you need help with your bags and if you need a
Taxi….constantly. From our own
experience with friends arriving at Boryspil the help with the bag will run you
$20 USD to carry or wheel it across the street into the parking lot.or to the
curbside loading area, maybe a total of 20 or 30 yards. These people are “private” hustlers.
|
|
The Taxi from Boryspil to Central Kyiv will
run you about $35 to $40 USD. There is
also a Bus (big one, or a mini van, depends on the time of the day) that you can catch very easily right out the front terminal door off
to the right. You can’t miss it. It runs approximately every 30 minutes or even less, so
if it’s not there when you walk outside just wait a few minutes and you’ll see
it pull up. It will have “Boryspil”
and "Polit"
written on the side. You can take it
with your bags for about 20 Hryvnia (approx. $4) to/from the first Metro Station "Kharkivs'ka"
or for 25 Hryvnia (approx. $5) to Kiev's Southern
Railway Station Terminal.
It is a modern and comfortable ride.
There are usually Taxis waiting at the Bus’ final stop you can take to
your final destination for 5 - 9 dollars.
|
Ukrainian
Time is +2 GMT (Greenwich Mean Time)
|
Bus
route: Central Railway Terminal - Peremohy sq. - airport.
Available
Time: 04:40 - 01:20
Time of transportation: approx.
1 hour 10 min.
You
can find Bus Schedules to and
from Boryspil Airport (KBP) !HERE!
|
Electrical
appliancies operate at 220V in Ukraine. Plugs
and wall sockets
differ from North America and the U.K., being of europeon two pin style. So,
don't
forget to take an International Power Adaptor
and a power converter.
Traveling with electronics will become much
easier.
More
adaptors and converters see in Travel
Gear. For valuable
equipment, you may consider bringing a surge protector.
|
Universal
International Power Adaptor
|
|
Ukrainian Currency
is called Hryvnia (UAH), which was introduced
on the 2nd of September 1996. One Hryvnia
equals 100 kopiykas. There are 1,
2, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100 and 200 Hryvnia bills.
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 $40 or
$50 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!!
|
|
Banks in Ukraine are
normaly open to the Public Monday through Thursday
from 9:00 a.m. until 5 p.m., and on Fridays
from 9:00 a.m. until 4 p.m. Please note
however that the Cashier's will close their windows
an hour earlier. They will also close
for lunch
from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. ATM machines are
a safer option at or near the Bank, or at large shopping centers. It's better
to avoid using ATM's at the local "bazar"
(market) areas or next to little street kiosks and
stores.
|
|
Currency
Rates from
UFS (Ukrainian Finance Server)
|
Money
Transfer If
you need to transfer money to or from Ukraine, there
are several International Money Transfer Companies
like Western Union and MoneyGram. You can find
them at many local banks or at major shopping centers
and Malls. Western Union is the largest in Ukraine
and can easily be found even in smaller towns. MoneyGram rates are more
affordable but it's availability is not as widespread. Your other options
for sending or receiving money is to do a funds
transfer by bank-wire or by Money Postal Order at
the Post Office. These are cheaper
options but will take more time.
Credit
cards Credit
Cards are widely accepted in Ukraine, however fraud
and theft is organized and not uncommon. For
your own benefit, we would recommend using cash
for all purchases while in Ukraine and 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.
|
Click
on the image to enlarge Kiev Subway/Metro
Map
|
Learning the Metro system
will be key to enjoying all that Kyiv has to offer. It’s cheap (10
cents), safe, on time, and fairly simple to learn. We would highly recommend the translated “bi-lingual” Metro plan
available on this site as nearly all signs here will be in Ukrainian or Russian only.
Read more about
Ukraine
Metro (Subway System) here.
|
|
Hiring a translator/assistant
can be money well spent especially on your first day in Kyiv if you
are a bit concerned about making your way around on your own. It can also save you the embarrassment at
your favorite restaurant of having to revert to animal noises in a last gasp
attempt to explain exactly what cut of meat you are talking about!
OR,
you might prefer the "non-human"
variety . Check it out here: English-Russian-Ukrainian
Electronic Talking Dictionary.
|
|
If you should decide to hire a translator
we will be happy to help you. See more in Services.
|
Having a Mobile Phone in Kyiv
can also be a bargain for the first time traveler, taking advantage
of our “English helpline”. With just
the push of a button a translation, or directions, or perhaps just “calling you
a Taxi” are available through our bi-lingual operators. This service can truly save you a lot of
money and grief. We will be happy to
provide you with the details of this very helpful service.
|
|
|
Information
Booths in Kyiv (Kiev)
can be found throughout the city. For example, you'll
see them on Peremohy Square, near by Teatral'na
Metro Station, on Artema street opposite
Kievs'ka Rus' cinema, and a lot of other
places. You'll be able to find there a detailed
map of Kiev, sightseeing places with a short
historical review in English and Ukrainian.
Very useful information indeed.
Taxis in Kyiv are cheap. The most you should pay for a trip across
town is 25 to 40 Hryvnia ($5 to $8 USD).
The problem with Taxis are their drivers' lack of foreign language skills.
Agree on the price beforehand or your Taxi fare
will skyrocket.
|
|
Water
in Ukraine It's not recommended to
drink tap water unless you
boil it. 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.
Water
Wells (byuvyet) are located throughout Kiev and
are popular especially with the Seniors of the City.
They are usually built in a park like setting
with several old style hand pumps to accommodate
whoever may want to fill up from their favorite
Aquifer. Information concerning each Well
is posted onsight.
Tipping
in Ukraine
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 5 and 10 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.
|
|
)
Consultancy
Translation/
Meeting
at the airport
Kyiv
Guide
Find
an accommodation
