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WARNING: Ukraine is in a state of war. Air raids, missile strikes, bombings, and shootings are likely to occur anywhere and at any time.
Ukrainian men aged 18–60 are not allowed to leave the country and may be mobilized by the Ukrainian military. |
Government travel advisories
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| (Information last updated 18 Aug 2024) |
Ukraine (Ukrainian: Україна, Ukraïna) is a country in Eastern Europe, one of the largest on the continent, with a very rich culture and history.
Since 2014, Ukraine has been in the news for all the wrong reasons and is unsafe to travel to. However, under less extreme circumstances, this vast country has a lot to offer.
Regions
[edit]
| Central Ukraine The political, economic, and cultural centre of Ukraine, centred around the capital Kyiv. |
| Western Ukraine For centuries under the control of non-Russian European countries, such as Poland, Lithuania, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Austria and Turkey; accordingly you'll find Central European architecture, cuisine, language and religion here. The ancestral homeland of much of the Ukrainian diaspora and the region with the strongest sense of Ukrainian identity. |
| Eastern Ukraine Includes the heavily industrialised and Russified coal-mining region of Donbas, home to big Soviet cities and much of the country's ethnic Russian population. |
| Southern Ukraine The popular Ukrainian Black Sea coast, best known for the magnificent city of Odesa. |
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Crimea is under the de facto control of Russia. We cover it as part of Southern Russia. We cover the Donetsk Oblast and Luhansk Oblast as de jure Ukrainian regions in the absence of a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, but are claimed by Russia. This is not an endorsement of claims by any side in the dispute. |
Cities
[edit]Most Ukrainian cities have two English names: one transliterated from the Ukrainian name, and one transliterated from the Russian name. Although the two names used to be used interchangeably, since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the choice of name has assumed political connotations. Western media usually use the Ukrainian names as a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian government, while supporters of Russia usually use the Russian names. Moreover, places that were named after communist figures were required to change their names following the passage of the de-communization law in 2015, which Western media generally follows, while Russian media usually uses the old communist-era names. Many people still stick to the forms that have been used traditionally, for all or many cities, regardless of political stance.
The most notable cities in Ukraine are as follows:
- 1 Kyiv (Київ) – the capital and most populous city of Ukraine, with nearly 3 million residents. It has world-famous Orthodox and Baroque architecture, as well as beautiful, leafy hills.
- 2 Lviv (Львів) – one of the main cultural centres of Ukraine and a Ukrainian language hotspot. It used to be a part of Poland until 1939.
- 3 Chernihiv (Чернігів) – ancient city of Kyivan Rus', one of the oldest cities in Ukraine, has lots of medieval architecture.
- 4 Chernivtsi (Чернівці) – the capital of Bukovina offers a Balkan atmosphere mixed with fine classical Habsburg architecture.
- 5 Dnipro (Дніпро) – the highlight is the mile long promenade on the Dnipro River.
- 6 Kamianets-Podilskyi (Кам’янець-Подільський) – ancient city-fortress
- 7 Kharkiv (Харків) – The former capital of Ukraine and Ukraine's second largest city. Sadly, much of the city has been completely destroyed by the Russian military.
- 8 Odesa (Одеса) – a beautiful harbour city on the Black Sea with a mixture of different cultures.
- 9 Uman (Умань) – city in central Ukraine with the famous Sofiyivka Park
Other destinations
[edit]- 1 Carpathians
- 2 Chernobyl (Чорнобиль, Chornobyl) – tour the site of the 1986 nuclear disaster
- 3 Wooden tserkvas of the Carpathian region - Orthodox churches
See also UNESCO World Heritage List, Ukraine section and Ukrainian national parks
Understand
[edit] | |
| Capital | Kiev |
| Currency | hryvnia (UAH) |
| Population | 41.1 million (2022) |
| Electricity | 230 volt / 50 hertz (Europlug, Schuko) |
| Country code | +380 |
| Time zone | UTC+02:00 to UTC+03:00 and Europe/Kyiv |
| Emergencies | 112, 101 (fire department), 102 (police force), 103 (emergency medical services) |
| Driving side | right |
| edit on Wikidata | |
Ukraine possesses fertile farmlands, a well-developed industrial base, and a well-developed educational system, although these factors haven't translated into wealth for most Ukrainians; high levels of corruption, poor management of the economy, and political unrest have made Ukraine one of the poorest and least developed countries in Europe.
Before the Russian invasion, Ukraine had one of the fastest-declining populations in the world.
Geography
[edit]With a land area of 603,550 square kilometres (233,030 sq mi), Ukraine is one of Europe's largest countries (although only 45th globally). It is much larger than metropolitan France. The country has borders with 7 countries ― Russia, Belarus, Moldova, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland.
History
[edit]
Ukrainian history is long and proud, with the inception of Kyivan Rus (possibly founded by Swedish Vikings) as one of the most powerful countries in medieval Europe. This state shaped the cultural and religious foundations of modern-day Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. It fell prey to Mongol conquest, and the western half of Ukraine was subsequently conquered from the Mongols by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania in the 12th century. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania merged with the Kingdom of Poland to form the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569, and Kyiv remained part of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth until the 18th century. The Russian Empire absorbed much of Ukraine in the 18th century to the detriment of their culture and identity. Western Ukraine, notably including Lviv, was for some time part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and part of Poland in the years between two World Wars; the area is still home to long-established ethnic Polish, Hungarian and Romanian minorities.
Soviet Union
[edit]- See also: Soviet Union, World War II in Europe, Holocaust remembrance
Despite a brief, but uncertain, flash of independence at the end of the Russian Empire, Ukraine was incorporated into the new USSR after the Russian Civil War in 1922. It suffered through two disastrous famines (1932-33 and 1946) and brutal fighting during World War II. As a Soviet republic, the Ukrainian language was often sidelined by Russian. It endured Stalinist repressions during the 1930s, attempts at decentralisation during the Khrushchev administration, and the re-tightening of control during the Brezhnev-Kosygin era of the 1970s and early 1980s. In any case, the traditionally bilingual region had signs in both Russian and Ukrainian in virtually all cities, including Lviv, where Ukrainian is most prevalent. The 1986 Chernobyl accident was a further catastrophe for the republic. It is widely considered as an event that galvanized the population's regional sentiment and led to increasing pressure on the central Soviet government to promote autonomy.
Independent Ukraine
[edit]Ukraine declared its sovereignty within the Soviet Union in July 1990 as a prelude to unfolding events in the year to come. The Verkhovna Rada (Ukraine's Parliament) declared its independence in early December 1991 following the referendum in November 1991 which demonstrated overwhelming popular support (90% in favour of independence). This declaration became a reality as the Soviet Union ceased to exist on 25 December 1991.
Severe economic difficulties, hyperinflation, and oligarchic rule prevailed in the early years following independence. Ukraine was also deeply politically divided, largely along ethnic lines, as western and central Ukraine were predominantly ethnic Ukrainian, and wanted closer ties with the West, while eastern and southern Ukraine were predominantly ethnic Russian, and wanted closer ties with Russia.
The issues of cronyism, corruption and alleged voting irregularities came to a head during the heavily-disputed 2004 presidential election, where allegations of vote-rigging sparked what became known as the "Orange Revolution". This revolution resulted in the election of pro-Western opposition candidate Viktor Yushchenko as president. During the next five years the "Orange coalition" broke up and Viktor Yushchenko lost the support of majority of Ukrainians. His former adversary and pro-Russia candidate Viktor Yanukovich was elected president, but was ousted in the Euromaidan Revolution of early 2014 after months of popular protest against his failure to complete a key trade agreement with the European Union. His departure came at a time when the nation's treasury was empty and the government was in disarray.
In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine, and has sponsored separatist movements in the heavily pro-Russia regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Following these events, Ukraine abandoned its longstanding policy of de facto bilingualism in Ukrainian and Russian, and Ukrainian was declared the sole official language, whilst the opposite happened in the separatist-controlled regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. Since then, Ukraine has made overtures towards joining NATO, though progress has been slow. In early 2022, Russia formally recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk from Ukraine, and days later commenced a full-scale military invasion of the country. The invasion has resulted in thousands of casualties, millions of people displaced, and significant destruction in many parts of the country, and it seems that the war may go on for several years.
Religion
[edit]Eastern Orthodox Christianity is the dominant religion in most of Ukraine, though the westernmost region around Lviv is predominantly "Greek Catholic", meaning that they celebrate their liturgy according to the Eastern (Byzantine) rite like Eastern Orthodox Christians, but recognise the Pope in Rome as their highest religious authority like Roman Catholics. Ukraine switched from the Julian Calendar to the Gregorian Calendar in 2023 for the celebration of traditional festivals such as Easter and Christmas in an attempt to have a clean break from its Imperial Russian past.
Visitor information
[edit]- Explore Ukraine website (has not been updated since the beginning of the war)
Get in
[edit] |
Note: All flights to Ukraine have been suspended due to the ongoing war. |
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Entry requirements
[edit]For the most up-to-date information please visit the E-Visa portal of the MFA government website. Select your country to get more information.
Visa-free
[edit]Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, and Uzbekistan can visit and stay in Ukraine indefinitely visa free. However, citizens of Moldova and Uzbekistan must hold proof of sufficient funds on arrival.
Citizens of Poland can visit visa-free for up to 18 months. Citizens of all other European Union member states as well as Albania, Andorra, Australia, Bahrain, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Oman, Panama, Paraguay, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, St. Kitts and Nevis, South Korea, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States/American Samoa and Vatican City can visit visa free for up to 90 days within a 180 day period. However, citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan must also have proof of sufficient funds when arriving in Ukraine. For citizens of Mongolia, the visa free only applies to service, tourist and private trips on conditions that documents certifying the purpose of the trip are provided.
Citizens of Argentina can visit visa free for up to 90 days within a 365 day period.
Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brunei and Serbia can visit visa free for up to 30 days within a 60-day period.
Citizens of Hong Kong can visit visa free for up to 14 days.
Electronic visas
[edit]Electronic visas[dead link] are valid for a maximum of 30 days and cost US$20 for visa with single entry and US$30 for double-entry visa with decision within 3 business days. Urgent visa processed within 1 business day is also available for double the visa fee (US$40/60). However, it is recommended to apply at the latest one week before your arrival to count in potential delays.
Citizens of the following 52 countries are eligible for E-Visas: Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bolivia, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kiribati, Kuwait, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, Oman, Palau, Peru, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Seychelles, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Suriname, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.
Visa
[edit]For other countries, visas are obtainable within a few hours of visiting a Ukrainian consulate/embassy. A 'letter of invitation' from friend, family member, prospective lodging or business provider may be required. For the most up-to-date details, visit MFA website, Visa requirements page and select your country from the list.
Always know how much currency you have with you. Customs officials might inquire about the amount being brought into the country. It is prohibited to bring large amounts of Ukrainian currency (hryvnia) in to the country unless it was declared upon leaving Ukraine. Cash equivalent of €10000 or more must be declared upon entry or leaving Ukraine.
When entering the country you will no longer normally be required to complete an immigration form. However, if your passport has no space for stamps, or you don't want it to be stamped, you can still fill out an immigration form at home and have it stamped instead of the passport.
Visiting Crimea
[edit]See the Crimea article for information on visiting Crimea. Since Ukraine does not recognize Russian's annexation of the peninsula, an entry to Crimea not from mainland Ukraine is considered by the Ukrainian authorities as an "illegal entry to the territory of Ukraine". If you later try to visit Ukraine and show any evidence of your travel to Crimea, you could be refused entry or arrested and fined.
By plane
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Due to the state of war, Ukraine's airspace has been closed to civil aviation.
By train
[edit]
Despite the war, trains are still running. Direct trains run from Poland (Warsaw, Chełm, Przemyśl), Hungary (Budapest, Debrecen), Austria (Vienna), Slovakia (Košice), Moldova (Chișinău). You can find more information about international trains on the UZ website
- Tickets to/from Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary and Austria can be bought on the UZ website or in application.
- Tickets to/from Poland can be bought on PKP Intercity.
- Tickets to/from Czech Republic (via Przemyśl or Košice) can be bought on České dráhy.
- Tickets to/from Hungary can be bought on MÁV-START.
- Tickets to/from Austria (direct or via Przemyśl) can be bought on ÖBB.
Information can be found on Ukrainian railways timetable[dead link], DB Bahn, or ÖBB.
By bus
[edit]Direct buses run from Poland (Warsaw, Kraków, Łódź, Wrocław, Poznań), Hungary (Budapest), Slovakia (Bratislava, Košice), Romania (Bucharest), Moldova (Chișinău, Bălţi), Austria (Vienna), Germany (Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, Cologne, Frankfurt), Czech Republic (Prague, Brno, Ostrava) and other countries.
Tickets can be bought on such websites:
By boat
[edit]Passenger traffic is suspended because of the war. The Russian navy has previously established a blockade of Ukrainian ports. In addition, the waters are mined.
By car
[edit]Getting into Ukraine by car from abroad is straightforward. Be prepared to show the car's registration certificate as well as a proof of insurance (the "green card"). It can be very time-consuming or even impossible if your car's paperwork is incomplete or inaccurate. Anyway, long waiting times are almost ubiquitous at all major border checkpoints and in both directions.
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the land borders with Belarus, Russia, and Transnistria are closed and will remain closed for the foreseeable future.
From Hungary
[edit]Hungary and Ukraine share a rather short ― about 137km long ― border. The main border entry points are Záhony, Tiszabecs, Barabás, Lónya, and Beregsurány.
From Poland
[edit]The Polish-Ukrainian border is about 529km long, and the closest major city near the border is Lviv.
Traffic along the border is quite heavy; millions of people cross the border annually. Do expect long waiting times and heavy policing along the border.
From Slovakia
[edit]Slovakia and Ukraine share a rather short ― about 97km long ― border. The main border entry points are Vyšné Nemecké and Ubľa.
From Romania
[edit]The Romanian-Ukrainian border is about 614km long, and the closest major city near the border is Chernivtsi.
- An overland journey to Chernivtsi (the closest major city) from Suceava should take you about 90 minutes.
On foot and by bicycle
[edit]Crossing the border on foot or by bicycle is generally not allowed at major road border checkpoints (especially at those designated for large trucks) between Ukraine and the EU (Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia). As a temporary measure due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, pedestrians are now (as of 2023) allowed to exit Ukraine using any road border checkpoint, including those that pedestrians are normally not allowed to use. However, entering Ukraine on foot using such checkpoints is still not allowed.
Pedestrians and cyclists are allowed to use less important border checkpoints on secondary roads, such as the one between Sighetu Marmaţiei, Romania and Solotvino, or the one between Ubľa, Slovakia and Malyi Bereznyi. Alternately, if you need to use a major border checkpoint which is only for motorized traffic, you can try getting into someone's car just before the checkpoint. Locals know that pedestrians are not allowed to cross the border there and some might accept strangers as passengers. This might be quite problematic with a bicycle, though.
In addition to that, there are a few border checkpoints for pedestrians and cyclists only. One of them is between the villages of Veľké Slemence, Slovakia and Mali Selmentsi. Such border checkpoints are typically open only during daytime hours, and only for citizens of the European Economic Area (EU + Iceland + Norway + Switzerland) and Ukraine. Holders of other passports are not allowed to use them. These checkpoints are usually of no particular importance to most tourists; their only advantage is the absence of queues, which are ubiquitous at border checkpoints for cars, especially at those on major routes. Instead of waiting several hours, you can get to the other side in a matter of minutes.
Get around
[edit]
The quickest way to get around big cities is the so-called marshrutka: the minibuses which follow routes much like the regular buses do. You can generally flag them down or ask them to stop at places other than the specified bus stops. The fare is paid as soon as you get in (except in Odesa, where you pay upon exiting), and is fixed no matter how far you want to go. This is the same for the conventional buses, tram, trolley-buses and the Metro. Tell the driver that you want to get off when you are approaching the destination.
Each city has an intercity bus station from which you can go pretty much anywhere in Ukraine. Fares and quality of service vary widely.
Public transport timetables can be searched and tickets bought from tickets.ua service.
Maps
[edit]Ukraine is well mapped in most of usual online services. Especially eastern areas are well mapped in the open source OpenStreetMap (OSM), which is also used by this travel guide, and by many mobile Apps like OsmAnd (complex with many add-ons) and MAPS.ME (easy but limited). OSM is well supported due to voluntary work during the ongoing conflict. Download the maps, as trains in rural areas are often uncovered by mobile data connection.
Russian internet services are often blocked due to sanctions against them from a side of Ukrainian government since 2017 (see Connect below). However, Yandex maps can find streets with their old names, which is often useful as many locals still use them.
As in other former Soviet states, Ukraine is well covered by older Soviet military maps which were produced in the decades before 1991. These maps are available online as jpegs, or in many "Soviet military maps" apps. However, they contain only the Russian names, which were the official ones before 1991; due to the policies of post-Maidan Ukrainian governments, many place names have changed. These maps are often used for direction in rural areas.
By train
[edit]
Trains are operated by state-owned Ukrainian Railways[dead link]. Due to their Soviet origin, the train classes, coaches and ticket system are very similar to Russia and CIS countries, for more information see: Russian train article.
Ukrainian trains are quite old and slow by West European standards, and not very frequent, but they are punctual, reliable and very cheap (as of April 2022, they have remained quite reliable despite the war, although service on some lines has terminated). For example Kyiv to Odesa only has 3 direct services per day, 7 hr & 550 грн by the fastest "Inter-city", 9–10 hr & 400 грн by the slower "express". So for a 500-km journey with some half a dozen stops, the trains are averaging about 50 km/h on straight level terrain – the Bullet Train, it is not.
Generally, in Ukraine, for long distance the train is preferred over the bus because of their comfort and because often they are even cheaper. The "Lux" sleeping cars have a two-berth cabin. Second class are cabins with four berths. Third class have six berths through which the aisle passes.
Advance online booking is highly recommended, firstly because some trains are popular and will sell out, secondly because it avoids having to negotiate your journey at a frenetic foreign railway station. For timetables, prices and bookings visit Ukraine Railways or Ukrainian Railways e-shop (these websites are in English, Russian and Ukrainian). Tickets with a little QR code icon should be printed off at home and are good to go. Other e-tickets are just a voucher which must be exchanged in advance for a ticket, at any mainline station in Ukraine. (So don't buy such a ticket for a journey that starts outside Ukraine.) Do this preferably an hour before departure, because close to departure of a long-distance express, the ticket area will become a frantic maul. Large train stations may have dedicated counters for e-vouchers; e.g. Kyiv does, while in Odesa any window will do. Either way, before queuing look out for the "technical break" times posted on each window.
If you have to buy on the day, write your destination and train number on a piece of paper; desk clerks have little English or German. Large stations have big screens that show tickets available for the upcoming trains.
By bus
[edit]Intercity bus timetables can be found and tickets bought from bus.tickets.ua, and e-vokzal.com
There are two major bus companies that run buses from all of the major cities to Kyiv: they are Avtolux (in Ukrainian), and Gunsel. Prices run about 180-250 грн for service to Dnipro and Kharkiv.
The major advantage of the bus service is that it leaves from Boryspil and stops in Kyiv, so if your destination is not Kyiv, its easier than taking a bus to the Main Passenger Railway Station in Kyiv. The buses are standard coach buses, serve cold drinks and tea, show movies, and make a stop about every 3–4 hr. They run every few hours.
Avtolux has a VIP bus from Odesa that has nice leather seats and is more less non-stop. It departs once a day, takes four hours or so both to Kyiv and costs about 160-170 грн.
By marshrutka
[edit]
In addition, there are numerous of the marshrutka aka buses. These run on fixed routes. You can board one at the start of the route or at fixed stops. Some of them will also stop at any point between designated stops, but this largely depends on the region and even on the driver's mood. Officially, they are not supposed to drop passengers outside designated bus stops, but in reality they do it quite often. At stops, you may find a queue you will have to stand in. At other places, just wave your hand when you see one. If there are seats available, the bus will stop for you. To get off, tell the driver when you reach your destination and they will stop. You need to pay the amount of your fare to the driver (except in Odesa, where you pay upon exiting and in Lviv where you have the option to pay by card inside the bus). It is generally safe to send money from back to the driver through a crowd, return is provided by same way. You might not get a ticket depending on the region. Often it's not easy to figure out which marshrutka will take you to your destination, as in any city there are hundreds of different routes. To stay in touch with the marshrutkas network you can use Google Maps to plan a route or use EasyWay.
By taxi
[edit]Taxi is probably the most safe way to get around a city. Locals will tell you to call in advance. Trying to hail a cab won't be productive at best and get you in deep trouble at worst.
It might seem unreasonable to hire a taxi to take you 100km to the next city. If you use your hotel's referral, you will get a decent rate. It might be twice as expensive as train, but convenient, less time consuming, and secure. Keep in mind, you will need a taxi to take you to the bus or train station anyway. Some may find the buses for long distance travel crowded and uncomfortable.
Ride-hailing is available in Ukraine, some providers include:
By car
[edit]It is possible to get around in Ukraine by car, but:
- The signs are all in Ukrainian (Cyrillic alphabet). Only a few signs (every 200 km or so) are written in the Latin alphabet, and indicate main cities. Have a good road map (those available are mainly in Ukrainian, but Latin alphabet maps are starting to appear), because place names aren't well posted on road signs.
- Respect the signs, especially speed limits. Unlike in Western countries, where limits are repeated several times, in Ukraine, an obligation or a prohibition is often indicated on a single sign, which you must not miss. And even these signs are often far off the road, covered by branches, etc. The police are always happy to write you a ticket.
- Speed in cities is limited to 50 km/h. However people do drive fast anyway.
Highway in the Carpatians - Speed in "nationals" (single carriageway countryside roads) is limited to 90 km/h (55 mph). The poor average quality of the roads already acts as a speed checker.
- Speed on highways (motorways) is limited to 110-120 km/h (75 mph), however there are only a few highways in Ukraine.
Corruption is widespread among Ukrainian police, and tourists are an especially profitable target. When you are stopped for speeding or other offences, officers might aggressively try and extract ridiculous sums of money from you (€100 or more) keep in mind going 20-50km/h over the speed limit is ~€8 and above that ~€45, offering "reductions" if you pay on the spot (the proposed alternative being some unpleasant and more expensive way, all made up). If you're asked anything beyond that, demand a written ticket for you to pay later instead or to pay by card (they are required to have a payment terminal) on the spot. Don't let them intimidate you,. It's very useful to have an embassy phone number handy for these cases. If you mention that, they'll let you off the hook quicker than you know it. Write down the officers' badge numbers, rank, plate number of the police car, and notify the nearest embassy/consulate in detail, to help fight these corrupt practices.
Fuel is no longer a problem in Ukraine, especially for those who remember travelling to Ukraine during the early 1990s, when petrol was considered precious. Today, there are plenty of service stations. There are varying types of fuel, such as diesel, unleaded 95 octane, and (more rarely) unleaded 98 octane. If you fill up in a rural filling station, you must pay first, and may have to pay in cash, although most stations do accept credit cards.
The state of the roads is a huge issue. The quality of the roads is shy of Western Europe (with the exception of major cities).
The main roads are OK for all cars, as long as you don't go too fast. Numerous running repairs have created a patchwork road surface, and it will seriously test your suspension.
Secondary roads are passable, but some zones can be full of potholes and you must treat them with extra care, or avoid them entirely. Roads between villages are often little more than dirt tracks and not metalled.
Be careful when driving in villages. Sometimes animals prefer to walk on the road, and they are a hazard for all drivers. You might see cows on the roads, so be prepared.
Bicycle traffic is not very common, but you will sometimes see an aged man transporting a sack of grass on an old road-bike or a cycling enthusiast in bright clothes riding a semi-professional racing bike. Those are even more likely to be met on well-maintained roads where the pavement is smooth. Also cyclists will use both lanes of the road in both directions equally, i.e., you are just as likely to meet a cyclist coming towards you, riding on the verge, as you will travelling in your direction. And almost invariably without lights or bright clothing so be extra careful when driving at night and dawn/dusk.
By thumb
[edit]Hitchhiking in Ukraine is average. It's possible to go by hitchhiking - usually cargo trucks will take you for free - but it's still worth to try stop personal cars as well. Good people are everywhere; you may be picked up in a Lada or a Lexus. (More usually the former.)
The usual hitchhiking gesture (also used to hail taxis and marshrutkas) is to face oncoming traffic and point at the road with a straight right arm held away from the body. Sometimes, for visibility, you may add a downward waving motion of the open right hand. It's a good idea to write on a piece of paper your destination's name.
By plane
[edit] |
Note: Due to the state of war, Ukraine's airspace has been closed to civil aviation. |
| (Information last updated 17 Apr 2022) |
Talk
[edit]- See also: Ukrainian phrasebook
As a consequence of the political development and the war, the status of Russian has changed dramatically since 2013. This also affects other languages: often place names in them were derived from the Russian ones, while parallel names derived from the Ukrainian ones are seeing much more usage since 2022 (e.g. Kiev → Kyiv). When talking to Ukrainians, be sure to use the Ukrainian and not Russian forms of the names, as using the Russian names may be taken to mean that you support the Russian invasion.
Ukrainian is the official language of the country and is the native language of 90% of Ukraine's population. It is an East Slavic language that is most similar to Belarusian, and more distantly related to Russian. If you speak Belarusian, you will be able to understand Ukrainian for the most part, while Russian speakers would generally be able to understand about half of what is being said in Ukrainian. Speakers of Polish may also be able to puzzle out some basic expressions in Ukrainian when spoken slowly, but having a conversation will be close to impossible. Ukrainian is most commonly used in Western Ukraine and rural areas of Central Ukraine. You may notice that the language differs from region to region:
- In Lviv, a special dialect of the language is spoken, with strong influences from Polish and German.
- In Central Ukraine, transitional dialects mixing features of Ukrainian and Russian, (generically referred to as surzhyk, i.e. the "mix [of languages]") are commonly used.
Since 2019, all printed publications and the media have by law been required to be in Ukrainian. Post-Soviet generations are also more fluent in Ukrainian as since Euromaidan it has increasingly replaced Russian as the language of instruction in educational institutions.
Russian, the official language of the former USSR, is spoken by a large majority in Eastern and Southern Ukraine as their first language, and by the many Ukrainians across Ukraine as a second language. The language is rarely used in Western Ukraine and is not the first language of choice in rural areas in Central Ukraine, but in central Ukrainian cities, such as the capital Kyiv, it is more common in urban life. The Russian language in Ukraine dominated the education system, the government, pop culture and urban society during Soviet times, and for many years Russian was viewed in a much higher status than Ukrainian. However, this has changed in 2014–2022 because of the war with Russia. Although virtually all Ukrainians have a good understanding of Russian, they may respond to a visitor speaking Russian in Ukrainian and vice versa. This mixing of Russian and Ukrainian (known as "surzhyk") is a common practice.
Crimean Tatar, a Turkic language spoken by Crimean Tatars as well as by some ethnic Russians and Ukrainians in southern Ukraine (especially in either Crimea or in Kherson oblast) is also spoken, and has special status as an "indigenous language" in Ukraine, and as an official language in Crimea. The language is also spoken in Crimean Tatar neighbourhoods and districts in major Ukrainian cities throughout Ukraine, though is usually confined to those areas. Given the close intelligibility between Crimean Tatar and Turkish, a Turkish speaker is very likely to make themselves understood in areas where the language is spoken.
Large minority languages include Romanian, Polish, and Hungarian, spoken by ethnic minorities in various pockets of Western Ukraine. You're unlikely to find speakers of those languages elsewhere. German was the main foreign language taught during the Soviet era, so some older people, particularly the well-educated upper class, may know some basic German.
English is the most widely taught foreign language, although very little of it is spoken and used throughout the country. The younger generation and those working in the tourist industry are likely to be more proficient in the language, and establishments in cities with large international visitors like Kyiv and Lviv also provide some services or restaurant menus in English. Most people there will be able to have a basic conversation in English.
Language is a sensitive issue in Ukraine with new twists introduced by the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022. Post-Soviet generations very often understand Russian but increasingly prefer to speak Ukrainian, while older generations may have Ukrainian as their native language but prefer to speak Russian as it was the language they were educated in. The removal of Russian as an official language has been enthusiastically supported by most Ukrainian nationalists, but deeply angered parts of the large ethnic Russian minority.
If you are travelling to Ukraine, learn either basic Ukrainian or basic Russian beforehand (know your phrasebook well) and/or have some means of access to a bilingual speaker — a mobile/cell number (almost everyone has a mobile phone) can be a godsend. Virtually nobody in any official position (train stations, police, bus drivers, information desks, etc.) will be able to speak any language other than Ukrainian and Russian.
Ukraine abolished the use of Church Slavonic in 2019, so church services are conducted in Ukrainian.
See
[edit]
Ukraine has a range of great attractions to offer. Largely unknown to the world, the country's main draws include some great and quintessentially Slavic cities, impressive cultural heritage and of course top class natural areas.
Head to the historic city of Lviv, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site but still a bustling place and a true centre for learning and culture in the country. Its cobblestoned streets are packed with monuments going back to Medieval times, seemingly untouched by the destructive force of wars that have changed some of Ukraine's other cities so thoroughly. Even the extensive Soviet planning that has shaped many other places on the far east side of Europe have left only a minimal mark on the colourful mix of building styles. Highlights include the Korniakt Palace (right on the market square) and several beautiful churches. For an even more sophisticated taste of culture, try the fine collection of the Lviv National Art Gallery.
Then there's the must-sees of Kyiv, a colourful place where the golden roofs of the Unesco World Heritage sites Saint-Sophia Cathedral and Pechersk Lavra make for some excellent highlights. Take an afternoon stroll through Andriyivsky Uzviz, the Montmartre of Kyiv, where you'll find a bustling mix of artist and souvenir sellers. Follow in the footsteps of Apostle Andrew, who - according to legend - climbed the steep stairs of this bohemian neighbourhood two thousand years ago, to the top where you'll now find a church with his name. Don't miss the excellent Pyrohovo Museum of Folk Architecture. Last but not least, Kyiv is one of the best spots to visit Ukraine's lively markets (but Odesa or Kharkiv have good ones too). Also, consider a trip to the Residence of Bukovinian and the Dalmatian Metropolitans in Chernivtsi.
In terms of natural attractions, the lovely Carpathian Mountains are among the best destinations this otherwise remarkably flat country has to offer. They hold beautiful panoramas of forested hills, lush valleys and snowy peaks and offer ample opportunities for hiking and biking as well as for winter sports. The rather little explored Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve is another great pick for nature lovers and bird watchers. Base yourself in the charming town of Vylkovo, with its many canals, and go boating and bird-watching during the day.
Do
[edit]- Hike in Carpathian Mountains around Rakhiv
- Conquer 2,061-m Hoverla, part of the Chornohora mountain range
- Kayak down Dniester and admire Kamianets-Podilskyi and Khotyn castles
- Visit one of forty national parks (total area more than 10,000 km²)
- Listen to the bandura, Ukraine's official national musical instrument, consisting of 12 to 68 strings and performed in folk contexts.
Buy
[edit]Money
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Exchange rates for Ukrainian hryvnia
As of May 2024:
Exchange rates fluctuate. Current rates for these and other currencies are available from XE.com |
The unit of currency is the hryvnia denoted by the abbreviation "грн" and symbol "₴". The ISO code is UAH. It is spelt гривня and pronounced hryvnia in Ukrainian. It is sometimes shown as "₴" both before and after the amount and with and without spaces. National Bank actual rates. On Wikivoyage, the notation грн is used, which you will see very often in Ukraine.
Coins in Ukraine come in denominations of 50 kopiyok, 1₴, 2₴, 5₴ and 10₴. Banknotes in Ukraine come in denominations of 1₴, 2₴, 5₴, 10₴ 20₴, 50₴, 100₴, 200₴, 500₴ and 1,000₴.
It is widely acceptable to pay cash. Locals (especially business people) sometimes carry and pay in cash amounts considered unusually large in other countries. Don't suspect criminal activity in every such case. The euro and US dollar might be accepted in tourist areas.
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Note: Due to a decree issued by the National Bank of Ukraine concerning the depiction of images of Crimea on banknotes issued by the Bank of Russia, the 200 rubles banknote is banned from being exchanged or handled by currency exchange bureaus and banks in the country. Possessing these notes will likely be seen as supporting Russia's unrecognized annexation of Crimea, and will result in these notes being confiscated. |
Cards
[edit]You can use your credit cards (mostly MasterCard & Visa) or cash traveler's cheques easily. Credit and debit cards are accepted by the supermarkets. But avoid using your credit/debit cards for payments at establishments in smaller towns as retailers are not trained and controlled enough to ensure your card privacy.
ATMs
[edit]The network of bank offices and ATMs (банкомат, bankomat) are now readily available in all but the smallest villages. Do check the security of the machine - it would be wise to use one that is obviously at a bank, rather than in another establishment. So, ATMs are common throughout the country and generally work with international cards. They nearly always dispense hryvnia, though you may find some give US dollars.
Debit cards such as maestro do work in ATMs. Cirrus/Maestro/Plus bank cards could be most effective way to get cash in Ukraine. Not all ATMs indicate that they support the Plus system, but in most cases they do support it if they support Visa. PrivatBank ATMs indicate that they support Plus, but they do not work with North American cards.
Currency exchange
[edit]Every reasonably sized town will have exchange booths and banks that will convert euro, or US dollars to hryvnia; just look for signs with exchange rates. US dollars and euro are the most widely accepted convertible currency at the exchange booths. Exchange booths are generally the best way to exchange cash. Service is quick and there's often no paperwork or receipts. British pounds are also often exchangeable, though at poor rates. In tourist areas, a much wider range of currencies can be changed. Shop around as offered rates often vary.
Changing money in banks is time consuming - there is a lot of paperwork involved. At a bank, you will also need to show your passport. Banks may also only let you buy hryvnia; they may prevent you from buying "hard" currency.
Even at larger branches, you cannot expect English-speaking staff. Doing anything other than currency exchange may require a translator or at least a lot of patience.
Booths and banks will generally not try to scam you, but count your notes to be sure.
Shopping
[edit]
By law, all transactions are required to be in hryvnia, although less formal transactions may be in euros or US dollars.
If you want to buy any kind of artwork (paintings, Easter eggs) in Kyiv, the place to visit is Andriivskyi Descent (Андріївський узвіз in Ukrainian).
It is illegal to take out of the country any items of historical importance. These include badges, medals, icons, historical paintings, etc. If you need to carry such items, see Proof of what you already own and check procedures.
Tipping
[edit]Tipping at restaurants has been gaining "popularity" in Ukraine. About 6-10% is normal, but don't stress about the exact amount. Just rounding up is fine too.
Eat
[edit]Traditional Ukrainian cuisine is quite tasty, with some similarities to Polish and other Eastern European and Central European cuisines. It uses a lot of fat ingredients, especially in festive dishes. Traditional dishes include "salo" (salted lard) and soups like "solianka" (солянка in Ukrainian, meat soup) or "borshch" (борщ in Ukrainian) a soup made of red beets and typically garnished with some sour cream. Western Ukraine also has a green version of borshch, with greens and boiled eggs. The first, salo, is perhaps something you might not make yourself try - however is a delicious side dish, as for the soups being a must-have dish.
If you are outside a big city or in doubt about food, exercise caution and common sense about where you buy food. Try to buy groceries only in supermarkets or large grocery stores, check the expiration date if buying of a Mom and Pop shop, and never buy meat or dairy products on the street (you can buy them at the market but not near the market).
You may also find nice places to eat not by maps, but just by the smoke of traditional wood fires. These are often places where they serve traditional Ukrainian food, including very tasty shashlyky (шашлики in Ukrainian). Restaurateurs are very friendly, and, more often than not, you will be one of their first foreign visitors. Next to the "borshch", you might also ask for "varenyky" (вареники in Ukrainian, dumplings filled with berries, vegetables, fruits or mushrooms), "deruny" (деруни, potato pancakes), kholodets (холодець), holubtsi (голубці), kotleta po-kyivsky (котлета по-київськи). You have to try varenyky with potatoes and cottage cheese in a sautéed onion and sour cream sauce, a fantastic dish. These are just starters, but ones that might fill you up quickly.
Ukrainian desserts include medovyk (медовик), napoleon (наполеон) cakes and mlyntsi (млинці).
Drink
[edit]
The Ukrainian speciality is horilka (горілка, similar to vodka) with pepper. Other kinds of vodka are also quite popular - linden (tilia), honey, birch, wheat. Prices range €1-20 for 1 L. Souvenir bottles are available for higher prices (some bottles reach upwards of €35 for 0.5 L). There is a great choice of wine, both domestic and imported. The domestic wines mostly originate in the south, although wines from the Carpathian region of Uzhorod are also quite tasty. Ukraine is also famous for its red sparkling wines. Prices for local wine range €2-35 per bottle of 0.75 L (avoid the cheapest wines, €1 or less, as these are sometimes bottled as house wines but sold as local vintages), however, one can find genuine Italian, French, Australian wines from €50 per bottle and more in big supermarkets and most restaurants. The price of imported wines dropped significantly over the last number of years and trends indicate further reductions in price.
There are a lot of other beverages too (both alcoholic and non-alcoholic). Ukrainian beer is of very good quality. Beer from barrels or kegs (more common in cafes) is often watered down. Canned beer is not very common in Ukraine and sometimes not of the same quality as the same variety sold in bottles. The best beers are brewed by Lvivske, Obolon and PPB (Persha Privatna Brovarnia). Imported beers are also widely available but more expensive – for instance, a bottle of Austrian Edelweiss can cost upwards of €2 while average price of Ukrainian beer is €0.50. All told, Ukrainian beers are very tasty and gaining popularity elsewhere in Europe.
Of non-alcoholic beverages, one should try kvas – a typically Ukrainian drink made of rye or wheat. In addition to supermarkets, during the summer one can easily buy it from designated street vendors. It’s better to buy it in bottles due to unknown cleanliness of the barrel. Dairy drinks, of all sorts, are also available, although mostly in supermarkets. Bottles of mineral water are available everywhere, as well as lemonades, beer, and strong drinks. When seeking to buy bottled water make sure to ask for "voda bez hazu" (water without gas) otherwise you are likely to be handed the carbonated drink by default as preferred by most Ukrainians.
Never buy horilka or konjak (the local name for brandy) except from supermarkets or liquor stores as there are many fakes. Every year a few die or go blind as a result of poisoning from methyl alcohol, a compound used to make fake horilkas.
In Ukraine it's possible to buy alcohol produced in other former Soviet republics. The Moldavian and Armenian cognacs are quite good and not expensive. Georgian wines are quite unusual and fragrant, if overly sweet.
Sleep
[edit]Hotels might be a traumatic experience for a westerner anywhere outside the biggest cities. The cheaper the hotel, the larger the chance of some quite unfortunate surprises, especially for those not familiar with the Soviet-style level of service which still remains in many places.
Hostels are becoming more and more common in larger cities, especially the ones attracting many tourists. However, do not expect the usual clientèle as you would in countries where backpacking is more common. Hostels in Ukraine are often filled with single mums and kids, working people without an apartment in the city, and other ominous but generally unthreatening people, which make staying in a dorm an awkward experience.
There are many mid-range (€25-45) options outside Kyiv. For instance in Ivano-Frankivsk (near the Carpathians), the going rate is approximately €35 for a suite (bedroom and sitting room) in one such hotel. Many hotels have the choice between renovated rooms/suites ("western style") and not renovated rooms (East European style). The last choice is more than 50% cheaper and gives you a spacious old fashioned 2 room suite, basic but clean!
There are a number of 5-star hotels in Kyiv and other cities; See guides for those cities for listings. At one such hotel in Lviv, the going rate ranges from €40-60 a night. Using booking.com is very common in Ukraine.
Another option is to rent an apartment on the internet before you leave your country. There are many to choose from in big cities.
What many people from ex-Soviet countries do is to go to the railway station, where they try to find people who are willing to rent a room. Prices are usually much cheaper and if there are enough people, offering the room you can make great deals. These deals are usually not legal and they will take you to a corner before negotiating. Make sure they have warm water, and don't be afraid to say it's not what you expected when seeing the room.
Learn
[edit]Ukrainian society values education, and Ukrainians normally do very well in international competitions.
Ukrainian universities are quite affordable; Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, the country's most prestigious university, charges €1990 in tuition per semester. Before the war, there were more than 75,000 international students in Ukrainian universities. Most international students in Ukraine came from developing countries such as India and Morocco.
Corruption and bribery are not uncommon in Ukrainian schools and universities.
Work
[edit]Getting a work permit (visa) is a necessity for foreigners if they are going to be employed by any legal entity (exceptions apply only for international institutions and representative offices of foreign companies). The work permit is more of a hiring permit. The potential employer has to apply with the labour administration for hiring a non-resident employee. With the application a complete CV, as well as documents showing an accredited education, have to be submitted.
Cope
[edit]Get the details of your local embassy and/or consulates in advance and note their emergency numbers.
If you can it is useful to have a bilingual acquaintance who can be called in an emergency or if you encounter difficulties. If staying for any length of time, it is advisable to get a local SIM card for your mobile for emergencies and for cheaper local calls/texts. These are widely available, cheap (often free) and easy to 'top-up'.
Passport
[edit]Many people will tell you that you can take a copy of your visa with you. Sadly, some people experience trouble over this. It's always better to carry your passport with you. A photocopy can be refused as proof of identity. A phone call to a local who can help can prove very effective.
Emergencies
[edit]Emergency telephone numbers in Ukraine:
112 — common
101 — fire brigade
102 — police
103 — ambulance
104 — gas leaks
Stay safe
[edit]War
[edit]On 24 February 2022, Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine, from its own territory as well as from Belarus and Crimea. Martial law is in effect. Shelling and air strikes are not restricted to military targets. There have been missile strikes on cities all around the country, and deep Russian troop incursions have taken place along the northern, eastern, and southern borders. See War zone safety for some advice and follow local media for more specific directions. Leaving the country is still recommended, unless you have specific responsibilities and are ready to take the risks of the war.
Widespread war crimes targeting civilians are committed by belligerents. Contact your country's foreign affairs ministry for updated information.
For your safety, stay away from military facilities, infrastructure (transportation, power, what have you) and key government facilities. You are advised to grab the bag filled with necessities like durable food and clothes you have prepared and evacuate to your nearest civil defence shelter when you hear air raid sirens. In major cities like Kyiv, there may be red arrows marked with "Укриття", showing the direction of the nearest shelter. If you don't know where your nearest shelter is or if the nearest shelter is not operational, go to your nearest metro station.
Obey all curfew orders and movement restrictions. Don't wear camouflage pattern or other military-style clothing to avoid any possibly fatal misunderstanding.
Ukrainian males aged 18–60 are not allowed to leave, and may be drafted into the military. There have also been cases of males of other nationalities being denied exit.
Air raid alarms
[edit]While in the city The air raid alarm signifies imminent danger from airstrikes or missile attacks, prompting immediate evacuation to shelters for safety. While you will hear it if you're in out and about in a city, you might not hear it if you're far from a city or just inside a well sound isolated. For that there are mobile apps for example the Air Alert app and you can track all of Ukraine using this website many locals are subscribed to various telegram channels like the official Ukrainian Air Force telegram which may inform earlier and with more detail on why the alarm.
Scams, robbery and other crimes
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As in any other country, using common sense when travelling in Ukraine will minimize any chances of being victim of petty crime and theft. Try not to publicize the fact that you're a foreigner or flaunt your wealth, through your choice of clothing or otherwise. With the exception of Kyiv, Odesa, and other large cities, Western tourists are still quite rare. As in any other country, the possibility of petty theft exists. In Kyiv, make sure to guard your bags and person because pickpocketing is very common, especially in crowded metro stations. Guides have told tourists to watch certain people because they heard people say: "They look like Americans: let's follow them for a while and see what we can get."
Robberies and scams on tourists are fairly common, especially the wallet scam in Kyiv.
But if you are arrested by police or other law enforcement, do your best to inform them that you're a foreign visitor. Not many police officials speak foreign languages freely, but many people are eager to assist in translation.
Don't drink alcohol in the company of unknown people (which may be suggested more freely than in the West). You don't know how much they are going to drink (and convince you to drink with them) and what conflicts may arise after that. Also, many Ukrainians, known for a penchant for a good drink, can sometimes consume such an amount of vodka that would be considered lethal for the average beer-accustomed Westerner.
Also, it is strongly recommended to avoid individual (street) currency exchangers as there are thieves among such exchangers, that may instead give you old, Soviet-era currency or also coupons that have been withdrawn from circulation since the mid 1990s. Use special exchange booths (widely available) and banks; also be wary of exchange rate tricks like 5.059/5.62 buy/sell instead of 5.59/5.62.
Racism
[edit]The area around the American embassy in Kyiv is known for the provocateur groups targeting black people, and there have been reports of such attacks on Andriyivski, the main tourist street that runs from Mykhailivska down into Podil. Particularly in rural areas, having dark skin is often a source of quiet curiosity from locals. Antisemitism is not any more of a problem than it is in Western European countries. Two Jewish mayors have been elected in Kherson and Vinnytsia, while a prime minister (Volodymyr Groysman, 2016-2019) and a president (Volodymyr Zelenskyy, elected 2019) have been of Jewish origin as well.
Russophobia is on the rise as a result of the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, its support to separatists, and the full-scale invasion in 2022. Russian citizens may encounter hostility.
Anecdotal experience suggests that in Ukraine, indeed much of the former Soviet Union, people from the Caucasus, the Middle East and Central Asia and Romani/Sinti people receive much closer and more frequent attention from the police. Always have your passport (or a photocopy of the main pages if you're concerned about losing it or if you're staying in a hotel that is holding it) as foreigners are treated more favorably than others. This is not to say that it is unsafe or threatening, but it is better to be forewarned of the realities.
Accidents
[edit]While there's a lot of swimming and diving attractions throughout Ukraine, local water rescue is tremendously underfunded. It is unlikely that you would be noticed while drowning, especially in a river. Use only officially established beaches.
Ukraine has some of the worst statistics for road-related deaths and injuries in the world so act accordingly. Take care when crossing the roads; walk and drive defensively: traffic overtakes on both the inside and outside. Sometimes you even need to take care when using the footpaths, as in rush-hours the black, slab-sided Audi/BMW/Mercedes sometimes opt to avoid the traffic by using the wide pavements, pedestrians or not. Owners/drivers of expensive cars have been known, at times, to be more careless of the safety of pedestrians. Drivers rarely grant priority to pedestrians crossing a road unless there are pedestrian lights. Always watch out for your safety.
Pavements suffer in the same way as the roads in terms of collapsing infrastructure. Take care when walking, especially in the dark and away from the downtown areas of the main cities (a torch is a useful possession) as the streets are poorly lit, as are most of the entries and stairwells to buildings, and the street and pavement surfaces are often dangerously pot-holed. Don't step on manhole covers, as these can 'tip,' dropping your leg into the hole with all the potential injuries!
Prohibitions
[edit]It is illegal to drink alcohol in public places in Ukraine. Despite the prohibition you can see some local citizens doing that, but don’t be misled. These are bad examples. Local policemen can insist on a bribe if they see a foreigner breaking the prohibition. So be wise and avoid unnecessary problems.
Symbols
[edit]The display of Soviet or communist symbols is illegal in Ukraine, the exception being those located within the grounds of World War II cemeteries.
Stay healthy
[edit]
Water
[edit]As a rule, avoid drinking tap water. The major reason for this is that water in many regions is disinfected using chlorine, so taste is horrible. Whenever possible buy bottled water, which is widely available,
Infectious diseases
[edit]Ukraine has the highest adult HIV prevalence rate in Europe at nearly 1.5%. Rabies is on the rise, especially in the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Vaccinations against hepatitis A + B, rabies, meningitis, MMR, tetanus, diphtheria and polio, chickenpox, shingles, tick-borne encephalitis, typhoid, pneumonia and influenza are recommended by the British National Health Service.
Radiation
[edit]There is radiation contamination in the northeast from the accident at Chernobyl nuclear power plant in 1986. However, the effect is negligible unless you permanently live in the Chernobyl area itself. There are even tours to the town of Pripyat' which is the closest one to the station. The town is famous for the haunting scenery of blocks of apartment buildings abandoned in 1986, now standing out amid the vegetation which spawned from years of neglect.
Respect
[edit]Although Ukraine has a close historical and cultural relationship with Russia, Ukrainians are not Russians; they're a separate ethnic group and would be deeply offended if you say otherwise. Even ethnic minorities (e.g. Russians, Hungarians, Romanians) within Ukraine usually identify as Ukrainian.
Do not say that the Ukrainian language is a dialect of Russian. Ukrainians proudly consider their language to be a separate language, and would be offended if you say otherwise.
Do not call the country "the Ukraine;" Ukrainians consider the term incredibly disrespectful.
Women are traditionally treated with chivalry. Female travellers should not be surprised or alarmed if their male Ukrainian friends take the initiative to pay the bills at a restaurant, open every door in front of them, and/or help them carry items or objects. Male travellers should understand that these nuances will be expected by Ukrainian women, even if you're not in a romantic relationship.
Ukraine is by no means a conservative country with respect to clothing or behavior. However, stances on homosexuality range from conservative to outright hostile.
Ukrainians are generally reserved and take time to gradually open up to people. Don't be put off if people deliver brief, terse answers at first — this does not mean that people are uninterested in you.
Sensitive issues
[edit]Given Ukraine's long history of enduring turbulent, painful events, you should tread upon the following topics lightly. Also mind that some Ukrainians do consider the Soviet period as a time of economic and political stability.
- Holodomor (a 1930s famine caused by Soviet policies) — most Ukrainian families have relatives among the millions who starved to death. The event is regarded by Ukrainians as a genocide and is still an open wound in Ukraine's national consciousness. Denying the Holodomor is illegal in Ukraine, but it doesn't carry any legal penalties.
- Referring to World War II as the "Great Patriotic War", as it is referred to in Russia, is illegal in Ukraine.
- Although Stepan Bandera and the OUN are denounced in Russia and Poland for being Nazi collaborators who committed genocides of ethnic minorities during World War II, they are venerated by some Ukrainians as national heroes for their role in fighting for Ukrainian independence and resisting Soviet rule. You will often see monuments to him. On 28 April every year, marches are held in Ukrainian cities to commemorate the 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS, also known as the First Ukrainian Division. Despite the controversy of it having fought for the Nazis, its role in fighting for Ukrainian independence from the Soviet Union is generally seen as far more important.
- Amongst Crimean Tatar neighbourhoods or communities in Crimea, Kherson oblast, or in major Ukrainian cities, it is not a good idea to make any mentions to Soviet rule or Stalin; many Crimean Tatar families were broken up, deported to Central Asia, or murdered during Stalin's deportations of the Crimean Tatars and this remains a very sensitive issue for Crimean Tatars and their communities, and one that is highly emotional.
Anti-Russian sentiments are common and widespread. The full-scale invasion of Ukraine further buttressed negative sentiments towards Russia and Russian people.
- Russian is often regarded as the "language of the aggressor" in Ukraine and some universities have completely banned the use of it. Be mindful of speaking it in public.
- Do not refer to Ukrainian towns and places by their Russian names; this may be regarded as intentionally offensive.
- Be sensitive to the country's situation. Offer sympathy and support when the opportunity arises; Ukrainians will appreciate it.
- Historiographical disputes between Russia and Ukraine are a sensitive issue, and Ukrainians often accuse Russians of appropriating their history. The Ukrainian view is that Kyivan Rus is part of Ukrainian history, and Russia has no right to claim it as part of theirs. See Russian Empire#The Rurikids for more information.
Connect
[edit]Phone
[edit]Ukrtelekom is the main telecom operator. The country code for Ukraine is +380.
Mobile
[edit]The biggest mobile phone operators Kyivstar, Vodafone (formerly MTS), Lifecell.
Internet
[edit]Mobile GPRS access is available in vast majority of Ukraine's territory. 4G mobile access is steadily developing and is available now in all major cities. Public Wi-Fi hotspots are widespread throughout cities. There are plans and projects for providing mass wireless broadband access in urban open spaces, on Ukrzaliznytsia long-distance trains and in urban public transport vehicles.
When entering the country by air through Kyiv airport, it may be recommended to pick up a SIM card directly at the airport at the kiosks next to the currency exchange office. A Vodafone SIM with unlimited data for duration of one month costs 250 грн as of 2019. It's only possible to pay cash, so get cash from the ATMs right across first before attempting to purchase a SIM.
Blocking of Russian internet services
[edit]Russian internet services are often blocked due to sanctions against them from a side of Ukrainian government since 2017. Blocking could be easily avoided through built-in proxy in browsers, by VPNs, or by TOR. Some ISPs don't block these services either, mostly in Russian-speaking areas. Locals obviously know how to connect through that blocking; ask them for advice. You can find a full list of blocked sites here. For updates on site blocking in Ukraine, see here[dead link]