Useful Information

Visa

To enter Ukraine, a visa is needed for foreign citizens of many countries. If you plan on applying for your Ukrainian visa yourself, you will need an official voucher.
Visas are issued by Ukrainian Consulates. Unfortunately, it is impossible to obtain Ukrainian visa in airports or Custom's Offices on the border, therefore visa has to be taken care of in advance.
The best and cheapest way to obtain a visa is through the Ukrainian Consulate or Embassy in your country prior to departure.
The citizens of states-members of the European Union, USA, Canada, Japan, Liechtenstein, Andorra, State-city Vatican, Iceland, Monaco, Norway and San-Marino do not need to have visa to enter Ukraine. Visa-free entrance in Ukraine and transit through it for the citizens of these countries is valid only for the period of stay less 90 days.

Arriving in Kyiv

By plane
Almost all international flights to Kyiv arrive to Boryspil International Airport located 34 kilometers from the city center. The city's other main airport Zhulyany-Kyiv, located 7 kilometers from the center, handles domestic flights.
When entering or leaving Ukraine, one should proceed either through the "green" or "red" customs corridors. All documents that one receives and fills out when going through customs should be saved - they are needed when leaving the country.

The most convenient way to get to downtown Kyiv from Boryspil airport is by taxi. It takes 30-45 minutes to get to the center . Taking into account the fact that taxi drivers do not usually speak English, you should have your destination written on paper in Ukrainian or Russian.
If you decided to travel by bus, "Polit" express buses will drop you at Kyiv's main railway station in about 1 hour.

By train
You will arrive to the main Kyiv station, which was totally reconstructed in 2001. You will find everything you need there - from Internet and cafes to such services as a luggage room and showers.
At the exit from the central terminal of the station you will see taxis; the normal price outside the railway station is 2-3 times higher than anywhere else around the city.
The entrance to metro station Vokzalna is to your left as you exit the central station - look for the green letter M.
Various buses, trolleybuses and minivans also take off from the central station.

By bus
The nearest metro station "Lybidska" is situated 10 minutes by car from central bus station Moskovska Ploscha.

Local time

The time in Ukraine is set 2 hours ahead of GMT (3 hours ahead during day-light time). When its 12:00 in Kyiv it is 11:00 in Warsaw and Berlin, 10:00 - in London and 5:00 in New York. Clocks go forward one hour on the last Sunday in March and one hour back on the last Sunday of October.

Money

The National Currency is Hryvnia (UAH), also called Hryvna.
There are bills for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25, 50, 100 and 200 Hryvnias.
1 Hrivnia = 100 kopiykas
There are coins for 1, 2, 5, 10, 25 and 50 kopiykas.
Also there are coins for 1 and 2 Hryvnias.
Many western-style shops and some hotels accept major credit cards. However, do not rely solely on credit cards or travelers checks. Cash is preferred.

Temperature

To convert temperature from Celsius scale to Fahrenheit scale and vice versa use the following formulas:
F = 1.8 x C + 32
C = 0.55 x (F - 32)

Water

It is recommended that you boil and settle tap water prior to drinking it. Tap water in Kyiv is not healthy for drinking. Also Ukraine uses chlorine and aluminium to kill bacteria. Bottled water is easy to find in supermarkets. The water supply, especially hot water, can be shut off for as long as 1 week in the summer for cleaning the pipes.

Electricity

The standart electric voltage in Ukraine is 220 volts. If you bring electric appliances, be sure to take a plug adapter and a surge protector.

Transportation

Metro
Ukraine boasts a very convenient, safe, and inexpensive metro system in three cities: Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk. In Kyiv, you can buy tokens at any metro station. It allows you to transfer from line to line. If metro is going to be your most frequently used transportation type, it is reasonable to purchase a monthly metro pass.

Trolleys/Buses/Trams
These tend to be crammed tight with people but provide a good and cheap way to travel around the city. You can purchase tickets at bus stops or from a conductor on the trolley or bus. The monthly passes are also available. In addition, there are private minibus companies that serve practically the same routes and will offer you a faster and a more comfortable ride.

Taxi
Private cars and taxis swarm city's streets. To hail a car, you can simply put out your hand, and a car will stop. Private cars, the cars driven by locals who sometimes act as taxi drivers, cost less than official taxis. Although it is the most common way of getting a ride besides public transport, you should be careful and use common sense. Most drivers do not speak English. Agree on a price beforehand.

Rail information
Kyiv is connected to European and Asian cities via an extensive network of railways. The capital's train station is located in the center of the city right next to the Vokzalna metro station.
Train travel is the least expensive and most convenient way to reach just about any location. The rate usually includes a per-ticket commission.
There are three comfort classes for long distance train travel: luxury-soft with two pull-out beds for more space, coupe-soft with four beds, and platskart with six beds per compartment. However, electric commuter traines, called elektropotyahy or elektrychky are usually outfitted with only benches and no amenities. They are generally very crowded, especially on weekends and in the summertime when people travel to their summer houses. For further comfort and privacy, it is recommended you buy all the tickets for a compartment. This is an especially good idea for women traveling alone.

Driving

Driving in Kyiv can be a hazardous experience, but understanding the rules of the road will be helpful to visitors who are both driving and riding:
If you plan to consume any alcohol, use public transport or designate a driver. Ukraine is a zero-tolerance country and punishment will be quickly levied on offenders. Do not expect the luxury of a breathalyzer test. Traffic police will make the decision to charge based only on the smell of your breath. DAI , the traffic police, are easily recognizable. They wear dark grey or blue uniforms and carry black and white batons which they wave to order you to pull over. To avoid complications, it is recommended that you do so. If you are stopped for a minor violation and fined a minimal amount, it is easiest to pay on the spot, but be sure to ask for a receipt.
Most international driving rules apply in Kyiv. However, beware that most locals fail to follow many driving laws. Officially, speed limits are 60 kph/37 mph in cities, 90 kph/56 mph in unpopulated areas, and 120 kph/72 mph on highways. You cannot turn right on red lights.
Parking in Kyiv is as difficult as in any other major European city.

Communication

Phones
For call around a city you can use public telephones located all over the city. You need a phone card, which you can buy at any post office.
To call a number inside a city just dial the number. To make a long-distance telephone call, dial 8, wait for the dial tone and then dial the city code and number. To call Kyiv from another town, dial 8, wait for the tone, dial Kyiv's city code (044) and then the number. To make an international call, dial 8, wait for the tone, and then dial 10 plus the country code, city code and number itself.

Mobile phones
There are 2 types of mobile phone numbers in Kyiv: direct once, which do not differ from Kyiv fixed line numbers, and may be dialed as such, and mobile numbers, which should be preceded by 8 and the operator's code. SMS may not be sent to the direct number. However, you will have to use the mobile number for that.

Roaming
To call at fixed telephone in Ukraine, use +38 followed by the city code and phone number. While calling a mobile phone use the operator's code instead of a city code.
CIS telephone operator/intercity calls - 071

Holidays

Holidays are often celebrated on several days, depending on when the literal holiday falls. For example, if a holiday falls on Thursday, then Friday and Saturday may also be holidays. Or if a holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday, then Monday will be a holiday.
January 1 New Year's Day
January 7 Orthodox Christmas
March 8 Women's Day
Varies from year to year but usually celebrated in late April - early May Easter
May 1,2 Labor Days
May 9 Victory Day
Usually in mid-summer Trinity Day
June 28 Constitution Day
August 24 Ukrainian Independence Day

Etiquette

There are a few simple rules of etiquette that should be followed when visiting Ukraine.
· If invited to a family home, it is traditional to bring a gift. A bottle of wine, a cake, or a bouquet of flowers are customary. If there is a child in the house, it is appropriate to bring a gift forhim/her as well.
· If planning on giving flowers as a gift, make sure that the number of flowers in a bouquet is uneven (an even number of flowers is considered bad luck).
· Do not shake hands across the threshold of a door. It is considered bad luck to do so.
· When eating dinner at someone's home, casual dress is accepted. Also, be prepared to give a toast at dinner, as guests are often asked to do so.
· Be prepared to accept all food and drink offered to you when visiting friends. Ukrainians are known for their generosity when it comes to feeding others. Refusing food may be considered rude.
· Be prepared to take off your shoes upon entering a home. To keep apartments clean, most hosts will provide their guests a pair of slippers.
· Be careful when complimenting a host's belongings because they may offer it to you.
· If wearing gloves, take them off before shaking hands with someone.
· When using public transportation, seats should be given up to accommodate the elderly, mothers with children, and the handicapped.
· Offer to share snacks and cigarettes with those people around you.
· At the entrance of an upscale restaurant, expect that your coat, briefcase, or baggage will be checked.
· Be sure to have business cards printed in Ukrainian on one side, and in English on the other.
· For business, dress should be conservative. Men should not take off their jackets unless asked to do so.
· In Orthodox and Greek-Catholic churches, women wear scarves or hats, and men take off their hats.
 

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