Kiev Travel Tips

Visas
Travel to Ukraine has become easier than ever. US and Canadian citizens in most cases no longer need a Visa, however, some counties and trip purposes still warrant a visa requirement. Complete explanation of the process can be found here.

Passing Through Customs
It is not advisable to bring expensive gifts into Ukraine.  If you bring jewelry or another type of an expensive gift you may be asked to pay a customs duty which in some cases equates to the price of the gift.  We recommend these purchases be made in Ukraine, particularly Kiev, where these items are likely to be less expensive.   Legally, you are allowed to bring up to $10,000 in cash and up to $50,000 in checks.  If your cash amount exceeds $1,000 you will need to declare it at the customs.  Keep in mind that you are allowed to take up to $1,000 when leaving Ukraine, however, if the amount declared upon entrance exceeds that of $1,000 you will be able to leave with any amount lesser amount of what was declared upon entry.  If you are flying into Kiev, we can eliminate occasional airport delays at customs and passport control via our Kiev VIP Service.

Taxis
Taxi is comparatively cheap for Russian speaking passengers in Kiev (predominate language in Eastern portion of Ukraine). Taxi fees are usually negotiated with the driver ahead of time. Gypsy cabs are readily available everywhere by simply extending out your hand.  Kiev gypsy cabs are less expensive but are not recommended for non-russian speakers.  If you wish to use a gypsy cab make sure there is nobody else inside but the driver and negotiate the price before you get inside. 
Below please find some useful phone numbers of Kiev Taxi services:

Medical Care
Remember to bring any medications to Kiev Ukraine you may need.  While prescriptions are not needed to purchase medications in Kiev – their selection is limited.  Check with your health insurer before you depart to ascertain your coverage in the event of emergency. Many insurance providers offer specialized riders which can cover emergency evacuation.
Below please find a few centrally located Kiev Pharmacies:

 

Water
Water quality varies widely in Kiev Ukraine. Your best bet is to drink only bottled water.  Also try to avoid putting ice in your drinks.

Safety
While petty thieves are common in Kiev as in the rest of Ukraine, however it is still generally safer here than in most American cities. Violent crime in Kiev is seldom.  Most crimes in Kiev involves pettiness such as pick-pocketing and money scams.  Precautions include not flaunting valuables while on Kiev streets, watching your pockets in crowded places or walking alone at night through city streets or parks.

Internet
Kiev as the rest of Ukraine has plenty of cyber cafes to provide Internet connection at $1-$2 per hour.  If you bring a laptop into Ukraine you will need to purchase prepaid time cards for Ukranian Internet access. These cards indicate login, password, connection set-up details and phone numbers for dial-up access. Internet cards can be purchased at any Kiev computer shop and most news-stalls.

List of Kiev Internet Cafes open 24 hours

Tipping
Tipping is, as in the rest of Ukraine is expected at most Kiev restaurants. Tip 10-15% depending on service.

Electricity
Electricity throughout Ukraine is 220 volt/50 Hr. The plug is the two-pin thin European standard. Be sure to bring your own converter as most stores in Kiev do not carry them.

Currency
Prices in Kiev Ukraine are generally quoted in Hrivnia - the local currency, however, dollars are occasionally excepted and used for pricing. Currency in Kiev and the rest of Ukraine can be freely converted at banks, hotels or kiosks specifically for tourists. Deribasovskaya street on its own has more than ten Kiev currency exchange services.

Telephones
Mobile phones are an essential accessory in Ukraine, especially charismatic Kiev.  There are numerous mobile service providers in Kiev Ukraine, with Kyivstar and UMC being the most popular.  It can be daunting trying to figure out mobile phone system of Ukraine, therefore we offer Kiev Ukraine Cellular Phone Rentals which allow you to receive a fully functional phone while in Kiev and rest of Ukraine, operating on the same basis as what the locals use.  Furthermore, this phone has been programmed with all the essential Kiev Ukraine numbers that you might need.  Such as Kiev's airport, restaurants, taxi service, clubs, and major Kiev hotels.

Below please fine a guide for calling to and from Kiev Ukraine:

How to call Kiev Ukraine from abroad:

Dial international access code of your country (011 for US), then dial 38 (international code of Ukraine) + city code + city number. Kiev Ukraine city number is 482, although remember, this code is not required for dialing Kiev mobile phones.

So to call our Kiev office from United States, the following number would be entered 011-380-677-08-5501

To see the international access code for your country please click here.

How to call abroad from Kiev Ukraine:

Dial Kiev intercity access code (8), then dial 10 (international access code) + country code + city number including area code if needed.

So to call our United States based office from Kiev Ukraine, the following number would be entered 8-10-1-800-601-3327.

To call within other cities of Ukraine from Kiev:

Dial 8 (intercity access code), then dial area code (380) and the phone number.  The area code and the local number is always a 10 digit combination except for the calls within a region where you are located.

Working hours
In Kiev Ukraine, state and public offices are open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, with a lunch hour from 1p.m. as a general rule. Majority of Kiev stores are opened from 10a.m. to 7p.m. and are closed on Sundays. A lunch hour is usually either from 1 to 2p.m. or from 2 to 3p.m.
As for Kiev's food stores, many of them work 24 hours 7 days a week, a few - from 8a.m. to 8p.m. Usual work time for cafes and restaurants in Kiev is from 10-12 a.m or until last customer leaves.
Most banks are open to public from 9a.m. to 3p.m with a lunch hour from 1 to 2 p.m. and are closed on Saturday, Sunday.

Banks

ATM machines can be found all over Kiev Ukraine. Below please find a listing of Kiev's major Banks.

 

Ukrainian Holidays

January 1 - New Year

January 7 - Christmas

March 8 - Women’s Day

May 1, 2 - Labor Day

May 5 - Easter

May 9 - Victory Day

June 23 - Whitsunday

June 28 – Constitution Day

August 24 – Independence Day