Our expert answers your questions about Ukraine
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Questions and answers:
Michel asks: Can you travel from Donetsk to Warsaw?
Expert's answer:
As you know, Donetsk is controlled by Russia at the moment. This means that there are no direct transport links between this city and other parts of Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government because it means to cross the frontline, which is not possible. There are no checkpoints for civilians, nobody can be "bribed" as it is a very active war zone and every car close to the frontline is considered a target by both sides.
There are several fake sites where, for example, "bus tickets from Donetsk to Warsaw" can be "booked", but there are no such buses in reality. The same about taxis, already received similar requests, some even with badly photoshopped taxi tickets from Donetsk to Lviv.
The only regular buses available to Donetsk residents are running to Russia, for example, to Rostov-on-Don. And from Russia it is possible to travel to Turkey, for example. As we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia (in this case, in our experience, the chance that this "person" is a scammer is close to 100%), before you are absolutely sure that this person is real.
Alper asks: How you can go from Donetsk to Istanbul?
Expert's answer:
As of November 2024, there are regular buses running from Donetsk to Rostov-on-Don, the price is about 14 USD. From Rostov-on-Don, there are buses running to Istanbul, the price is about 90 USD. Our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia (in this case, in our experience, the chance that this "person" is a scammer is close to 100%), before you are absolutely sure that this person is real.
Valentina asks: Hello, I need to know for sure if I can travel from Italy to Hungary using an extended Ukrainian passport. Thank you for helping
Expert's answer:
Problems may arise if you travel by plane, so it may be worth choosing another way of travel. And as soon as you have time, be sure to get a new Ukrainian international passport to avoid any
possible problems.
Luke asks: Is it true that in order to leave Ukraine at the border with Poland civilian must show they have 1000 Euro with them?
Expert's answer:
When crossing the border, Polish border and customs services may require entrants to present funds at the rate of 300 Polish zlotys or the equivalent in foreign currency (approximately 77 USD) per day of stay in Poland. However, as far as I understand, this does not apply to Ukrainian refugees, since for obvious reasons they do not know for how long they are entering Poland and therefore they only need valid documents. You should contact people from
Visit Ukraine site, they should be able to provide the latest info about this issue.
Brian asks: Friends mother is in the Donetsk Oblast. She wants to travel to UK to stay with daughter. Where would she need to travel to receive Ukrainian documents? Is there any information I can research online?
Expert's answer:
The frontline can't be crossed by civilians. There are regular buses running from Donetsk to Rostov-on-Don (check this
timetable). From Russia, it is still possible to return to Ukraine via the
Kolotilovka-Pokrovka checkpoint.
Jorge asks: Are any taxi services active running, to go to Lviv border? And may cost 500 euros? Is that a real price from Donetsk to Lviv?Thanks
Expert's answer:
As of March, 2024, anyone who says that it is possible to travel from Donetsk directly to Lviv by taxi, bus, etc. is lying. There is no civilian transport connection across the front line. Over the past few weeks, we have begun to receive a lot of similar requests (taxi from Donetsk to Lviv or Poland). This is probably the work of the same scammers.
George asks: I want to hire a private car to go from Luhansk to Kyiv, Ukraine
Expert's answer:
As of November 2023, there is no such service available as there is no direct transport link between Luhansk, controlled by Russia, and Kyiv. There are no checkpoints at the front line, so no cars, buses, trains, taxis can go directly from Luhansk to Kyiv. It is possible to go from Luhansk to Russia at first and from Russia to return to Ukraine (for Ukrainian citizens). As we receive similar requests all the time, our advice is to avoid sending any help to anyone claiming living in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia at the moment. The chance that you are talking to scammers is close to 100%.
Cris asks: Is it safe to travel by car from Kyiv to western Romania? What would be the safest route?
Expert's answer:
Here are several routes a person can take by car
from Kyiv to the border with western Romania. None of them are close to the war zone. So such a journey is relatively safe, all routes are approximately the same length and take about 11-12 hours.
Enrike asks: I travel to Uzhhorod. Can I bring my perfume (50 ml) without problem?
Expert's answer:
Yes, in this quantity your perfume fall under personal use items and can be imported without declaration. Also read the following article about the
customs rules of Ukraine.
Steve asks: Which is the best way for an Ukrainian citizen to travel from Donetsk to the Polish borders nowadays?
Expert's answer:
As of August 2023, there are no direct transport links between Donetsk and other parts of Ukraine controlled by the Ukrainian government. The only way a real person can leave Donetsk is to go to Russia at first, there are regular buses available, for example, to Rostov-on-Don.
From Russia, it is possible to return to Ukraine. On August 5, 2023, a checkpoint was opened on the Ukrainian-Russian border in Sumy Oblast, which can be used by Ukrainians to enter Ukraine. Some info about it.
As we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. At least talk to this person numerous times directly via something like Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc. with a webcam turned on. A real person can do it, a fake one will refuse to do it. No photos can be trusted.
Himanshu asks: Berdyansk to Poland any transportation are available in Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
As of June 2023, Berdyansk is controlled by Russia. There is no direct transport links to other parts of Ukraine and in turn to Poland available. The only way a real person from this city can leave it is to go to Russia at first. From there, it is possible to go to the Baltic countries, Georgia, Turkey.
Don't send any help to any person in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real, especially when it is about a person from parts of Ukraine controlled by Russia. In our experience, they are almost always scammers.
GZ asks: Is it safe to travel from Odesa to Krakow in Spring/Summer 2023? If it is, is it better to travel by bus or train?
Expert's answer:
It is relatively safe to travel from Odesa to Krakow now. And it will be probably the same in the coming months. I haven't found any info about trains going between Odesa and Krakow, but there are regular buses running
between Odesa and Krakow. And our usual advice - don't send any help to a person in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real.
Aastha asks: I want to go back to Ukraine by taking bus from Turkey. But the bus have stops at border, what documents do I need do I have to take other passing countries visa also?
Expert's answer:
If you are a citizen of Ukraine and you have a valid international biometric Ukrainian passport, then with this document you can easily travel by bus from Turkey to Ukraine through Bulgaria and Romania, no visas are required.
Julia asks: My son, 8 years old, has an extended Ukrainian passport. It can be used to enter Dubai where it is visa free for 30 days? They will accept an extended passport or they approve only a new one? Thank you
Expert's answer:
Yes, there should be no problems with entry, if the extended passport is valid for more than 6 months from the date of entry. Check the following article about
traveling to the UAE to get additional info.
Edward asks: Is it safe to visit Kyiv during this time?
Is it better to take trains or buses to travel from Germany to Kyiv?
Expert's answer:
As of mid-March 2023, visiting Kyiv is pretty safe. In my opinion, traveling by train looks more preferable as it is a safer and more comfortable means of transport, albeit slower.
Namor asks: How do I get from Orlivka to Izmail? Thanks
Expert's answer:
Unfortunately, I haven't found up-to-date information about regular passenger transport between Orlivka and Izmail. The distance between these places is only about 40 km, so it will probably be easiest to use the services of local drivers by offering them about 15-20 USD.
Luc asks: Can a woman travel from Donetsk and out of Ukraine? Which border is it possible to cross? Thanks
Expert's answer:
From Donetsk, it is relatively safe to go only to Russia (crossing the front line is too dangerous), and from Russia, a person can leave for the Baltic countries. Also don't forget that you shouldn't send any help until you're sure it's a real person (meet offline or at least have a lot of video chats). Otherwise, the risks that you will be scammed are too high.
Jossie asks: I have an Ukrainian family living in UK. One of the family members didn't have a passport when leaving Ukraine and was issued an Emergency Certificate in the Italian Embassy so they could enter UK presenting it along with the UK visa permit. They would like to know if that Emergency Certificate acts as a valid passport if they travel to Europe and want to reenter UK?
John asks: I will meet with a girl I meet. She is currently living in Donetsk but she told me is not possible to travel to Kiev from that area as is controlled by Russians. She told me the only option is via Russia. Is this true. Are they not buses going from Donetsk to Kiev?
Expert's answer:
Yes, there is no direct transport connection between Donetsk and Kyiv, since such a route would have to cross the front line. So the only way is to first come to Russia, for example, to Rostov-on-Don. However, there is no direct communication between Russia and Ukraine now and the person needs to go through the Baltic countries, which can also be fraught with difficulties.
So it might be worth suggesting a meeting, for example, in Istanbul, Turkey, since there are still flights between Russia and Turkey. Such an offer will of course be a great excuse to ask you for money for a flight, but our recommendation is no to do it in any case before you meet in person. The chance that this is not a real person is very high, especially this risk increases when it is about the war zone.
Erwin asks: Is there any chance as of today (July 20th, 2022) to leave Donetsk to Kyiv?
Expert's answer:
There are no direct buses or trains running between Donetsk and Kyiv, a trip by car is also not possible, since the person would have to drive through the front line. The only way is to first go to Russia (there are some buses available), from there enter the Baltic countries and from there go back to Ukraine and Kyiv in particular.
Dave asks: Is it safe to travel to Sumy
Expert's answer:
I would not recommend going to this city before the end of the war. The distance from Sumy to the border with Russia is only about 40 km, and although Russian troops have withdrawn from this part of Ukraine, the situation can change very quickly, and shelling of the city cannot be ruled out either. If you want to visit Ukraine, then the western regions are the safest.
Mark asks: My friend is in DPR. She want to travel to get her new biometric passport with her daughter. Is she need to get permission to travel with her daughter from her husband same as a daughter's dad, even he is in DPR? They might need to travel without dad to other countries also. Thanks.
Expert's answer:
In most cases, in order for the child to leave Ukraine with one of the parents, a notarized consent of the second parent is required. Anyway, as we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by separatists like in your case, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. The first step is to talk to this person directly via something like Skype, Facebook, WhatsApp, etc. with a webcam turned on. Only after you have found a person with whom you can regularly speak directly, you should arrange your live meeting in Ukraine (in Kyiv).
Brett asks: I am US citizen my wife born in Ukraine married me and got US Citizenship. Does she retain her Ukrainian citizenship she has connections to Ukraine and needs to visit periodically there.
Expert's answer:
Since Ukraine doesn't recognize dual citizenship, the fact that she received US citizenship may be used as a reason for depriving her of her Ukrainian citizenship. In practice, this is done very rarely, so most likely she still has Ukrainian citizenship. Perhaps it will be easier for her to visit Ukraine as an American citizen, because the citizens of the US are eligible to enter Ukraine on a visa-free basis if their stay doesn't exceed 90 days in 180 days period.
Only if this time is not enough, she should think about visiting Ukraine as a citizen of Ukraine without restrictions, but for this she will need to get an international passport via the embassy and it is possible that in the process they will find out that she is a citizen of the US. It is not clear what this will ultimately lead to.
chain asks: Hi. I want to travel to Ukraine, and I understand that due to corona virus I will need to download the app, what do I do if I don't have an iphone?
Violet asks: Hello. I came to Ukraine for a 90-day education program. At the end of the 90-days, I was not offered a contract and the new strains of COVID were a crisis in the U.S.A. where I am from. I didn't have another job to go to so I overstayed. I am leaving UA at the end of the month and I will have overstayed the 90 days by 93 days. I know I will have to pay a fine at the airport but I am concerned about how much the fine will be and if they will stamp my passport - both showing other countries I overstayed and denying me future entry into Ukraine. Any advice you can offer would be appreciated.
Expert's answer:
In a normal situation, you will be obliged to pay a fine in the amount of UAH 1,700 to UAH 5,100 (about 60-180 USD) and you will be banned from entering Ukraine for 3 months. However, given the quarantine introduced on the territory of Ukraine, you can be exempted from administrative liability, if you were unable to leave Ukraine during the period or as a result of this quarantine.
Farahmand Sabeti asks: Hi I would like travel from Kyiv to Vinnytsia by getting a full private cabin. How much does it costs?
Steve asks: Is the city of Pripyat habitable or suitable for visiting now? If not how long will it take for things to become normal?
Expert's answer:
Today, Pripyat is a popular tourist destination, so a short-term stay (several hours) in this area is quite safe, if you take some precautions. Permanent residence in the zone is not yet possible and it will take hundreds of years for this to become a reality.
Alex asks: How do I get from Budapest to Chernivtsi Ukraine? Planning a trip in summer if the COVID restrictions are lifted.
Ally asks: Hello, thank you this very useful website. I would like to ask if it's possible for Ukrainian citizens to travel from Donetsk to Kiev? Is there any chance that checkpoints not allow individual passenger cars? How much the busses will cost and is there any link to buy a ticket online? Thanks for your help in advance
Expert's answer:
Yes, citizens of Ukraine can travel from Donetsk to Kyiv, to cross the border of the conflict zone, a person needs to have a pass issued free of charge online by the Security Service of Ukraine; travel by passenger car is allowed. There are also regular buses running from Donetsk to Kyiv, the ticket price is equivalent to about 30 USD.
For a real person, it is not a problem to come from Donetsk to Kyiv. The main rule when communicating with any person claiming living in the conflict zone, don't send any help until you meet this person in Ukraine, or at least regularly communicate online with a webcam turned on.
Emma asks: Hi. Can I travel to Ukraine with US passport now?
Expert's answer:
Yes, you can do it. Travel restrictions were lifted on September 28, 2020. Check this
COVID-19 Information provided by the embassy of the US to Ukraine.
Pratap asks: Like to know about the public transport from Zaporozhya to Kiev Borispil airport journey time and frequency.
Expert's answer:
There are regular daily trains running from Zaporozhye to Kyiv, the trip takes about 7-10 hours, the ticket price is about 10-20 USD. Our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. You should arrange your live meeting in Ukraine (in Kyiv). A real person can do it without your help, a fake one will find a number of issues why it is not possible or your help is required to do it. Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.
Robert asks: Can an American travel from Kiev to Severodonetsk? I have heard there was military blockaids and check stations that make it difficult.
Expert's answer:
The city of Sievierodonetsk is controlled by Ukrainian officials, you can freely visit it as a foreigner. There are regular buses running
from Kyiv to Sievierodonetsk. If this is about meeting with someone there, then as an alternative you can offer a meeting in Kyiv, coming there is not a problem for a person in Ukraine, unless of course this is a real person. Also, you shouldn't help anyone in Ukraine until you are absolutely sure of the existence of this person.
Phil asks: Is it safe to travel to Pavlohrad and surrounding areas. We hope to fly from Kiev to Pavlohrad and then take a taxi to my father's ancestral village in Oleksandrovka. Which airline is best to take from Kiev to Pavlohrad?
Expert's answer:
It is safe to go to this part of Ukraine. You can't fly from Kyiv to Pavlohrad, there are no such flights available. But you can fly
from Kyiv (Boryspil Airport) to Dnipro located about 77 km from Pavlohrad. There are at least two places in this area with the name of Oleksandrivka.
The first one is located near Dnipro,
the second one, which looks completely abandoned, is located near Pavlohrad. You can reach both of them by taxi from Dnipro.
Florante asks: I would like to visit Krivoy Rog, what is the most suitable route when departing from San Francisco, California, USA.
Elvis asks: How I can get from Kharkov airport to Izyum?
Expert's answer:
There are regular
trains and
buses running from Kharkiv to Izyum. The trip takes about 1.5-2 hours.
Robert asks: How much money does a Ukrainian citizen with VISA need for traveling to the US. To get through customs.
Expert's answer:
There are no any money related requirements. Just for your information, the price of a new international bio-metric passport in Ukraine is about 25-40 USD, it takes 10-20 days to get one. As we receive similar requests almost every day, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine before you are absolutely sure that this person is real. At least talk to this person several times via something like Skype with a webcam turned on. After it, you should arrange your meeting in Ukraine (in Kyiv). Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.
Brian asks: Shall a tourist make registration of residency if he or she stays more than 5 days in a place in Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
It is not required. For foreigners entering the country using Ukrainian visas, the duration of stay is determined by their visas. The initial registration is done at the border. If a foreign citizen arrives under the visa-free regime, then no later than after 90 days he/she should contact the nearest office of the State Migration Service of Ukraine to extend his/her stay in the country.
Brian asks: Hello Expert, I met a lady on an online dating site. I am extremely interested in meeting her in person to the point that I am traveling to Kiev in about 10 days. It seems that it could be challenging for her to get to Kiev. She is waiting on her border pass to come as she lives in Alchevsk, which to my undertaking it is a "war zone".
What would recommend to her in terms of transportation in order for her to safely go to Kiev? Are trains and buses running in a normal schedule? What is your best advise and if you could kindly also give me a price range of Costco for her transportation. Thank you in advance.
Expert's answer:
It is correct that Alchevsk is not under control of Ukrainian officials at the moment. There are no regular trains available but there are regular buses. The price of a bus ticket to Kyiv is about 20-30 USD. The pass allowing to leave/return to the conflict zone is issued online for free. Before you actually meet this person in Kyiv, unfortunately can't say that the chances of it are high, you should not send any help.
Armin asks: Please, is their a regular ferry to the other side of the river to Enerhodar or Kamiansko-Dneprovskyi?
Expert's answer:
There is a regular ferry
Nikopol - Kamyanka-Dniprovska. Departure from Nikopol: 07:00 and 15:00. Departure from Kamyanka-Dniprovska: 10:00 and 16:30.
Margie asks: Hello. I will be spending a few weeks in Lviv in May/June. I am considering a 4-5 day visit to Chernivtsi, and taking day trips from there to Kolomya, etc. Do you think this is a good way to explore Chernivtsi and the surrounding area, with Chernivtsi as a base? And, what other nearby day trips or partial day trips besides Kolomya would you recommend? Thanks.
Expert's answer:
Yes, Chernivtsi is a city worth visiting with a lot of interesting places and you will spend several days only exploring its sights. Besides Kolomyya, I would recommend to visit
the Khotyn Fortress, which is also located relatively close.
Margie asks: Would you recommend a few days in Chernivtsi for a solo traveller? Is the ride by train or by bus more scenic? Thanks.
Expert's answer:
Chernivtsi, as a city with a unique preserved architecture of different styles and rich cultural heritage, is definitely worth a visit. The former Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the main attractions of the city and Ukraine in general. There are regular trains running from Kyiv to Chernivtsi.
Paola asks: What is the cost to travel from Makeevka to Kiev?
Expert's answer:
As of November 2018, there are regular buses running from nearby Donetsk to Kyiv, the trip takes about 15 hours and the cost of the ticket is 700 Hryvnias (about 25 USD).
Johnson asks: How difficult is it and how much does it cost for a local to travel from Lugansk to Kiev? Does it require a permission and how expensive is that?
Expert's answer:
People living in the conflict zone, including Lugansk, can leave it but they need to get special passes. They are issued for free online. There are regular buses running from Lugansk to Kyiv, the price is about 20-30 USD.
As we receive a lot of similar requests, our advice is not to send any help to a person in Ukraine, especially in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, before you are absolutely sure that this person is real (at least talk to this person several times via Skype with a webcam turned on or better meet this person in Ukraine). Otherwise you are doing it on your risk.
Larry asks: I am traveling from Kiev to Lugansk. Which is safer and more comfortable the train or the bus or a better way? How safe is this town now? Will be there in September.
Expert's answer:
As of September 2018, Lugansk is not under control of Ukrainian officials, so visiting it requires a special permission issued by the Security Service of Ukraine, and it is unlikely they will easily give one to a foreigner. Also it is very risky to go there, especially for foreigners, as it is a "grey zone" where everything can happen. So I would not recommend even trying to go there.
Glover Barnes asks: What is the best way to get to Warsaw from Maripoul?
Expert's answer:
There are no direct Mariupol-Warsaw flights/trains. The fastest way is to go by train to Kharkiv (about 13 hours) and from there fly to Warsaw.
John asks: How best to travel between Kiev and Nikopol?
Expert's answer:
The safest and relatively fast way is to go from Kyiv to Nikopol by train (
the timetable and booking). The trip takes about 10 hours and costs 10 USD.
Abhinav vats asks: I have heard somewhere that people of Pripyat were told that they were evacuated only for few days. Why they were lied?
Expert's answer:
Yes, it is true. Here is the quote from the official announcement of the evacuation: "...in connection with the accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant in the city of Pripyat, an unfavorable radiation situation develops. The Party and Soviet bodies and military units take the necessary measures. However, in order to ensure the complete safety of people, and especially of children, there is a need to conduct temporary evacuation of city residents to the settlements of the Kiev region."
There were several reasons for declaring temporary evacuation.
Firstly, to prevent a possible panic that could begin if people realized that they were leaving their homes forever together with all their belongings. At that time, Pripyat was one of the richest cities in the USSR in terms of living standards of residents.
Secondly, it was not completely clear at that moment, just several days after the accident, if it would be possible to clean the city and how serious the level of radioactive contamination was in Pripyat. After the evacuation, in interviews, the participants of dosimetric groups who measured the level of radiation in the city expressed confidence that soon the city would be cleaned and people would return back.
Rosie asks: Hello Ukraine expert! Can you please advise the best and safest way to travel from Lviv to Borshchiv or from Lviv to Korlivka on 10JUN2018 for a party of four people?
Expert's answer:
About going from Lviv to Borshchiv. You can go by train from Lviv to Ternopil, there is a number of these trains available. You can book tickets
here. The distance between Ternopil and Borshchiv is about 105 km, it takes about 2 hours to go there by car. So you can use
local taxi services as there are no other reliable options. Not sure what is "Korlivka", haven't found any place with this name. If you mean Horlivka located near Donetsk then you can't visit it as it is not under control of Ukrainian officials. You can use
this service to translate sites from Ukrainian/Russian if necessary.
Margie asks: What is the best way to travel from Odessa to Lviv in summer? I will have luggage! A train with a cabin that runs in the day would be nice for seeing the sights, but they all seem to run at night. Any other ideas? Bus? Combination? Thank you.
I will spend 25 in Ukraine. Starting in Odessa, then to Lviv with a few side trips to Transkarpatia and to the village. How many days would you recommend in Odessa?
Expert's answer:
You are right that
all trains from Odessa to Lviv run at night time. However, the train ride, especially with luggage, remains the safest, relatively comfortable, and fast way to get from Odessa to Lviv. So it should be still your choice. It is difficult to say how many days you should spend in Odessa, check the following list of
Things to Do in Odessa and draw up a rough plan of what interests you.
Gerry asks: Distance between Konstantinovka and Kharkiv, method of travel?
Expert's answer:
The distance between Kharkiv and Konstantinovka is about 220 km. There are regular trains available, the trip takes 4.5 hours, the ticket price - 5-10 USD.
Tom asks: Can an American safely travel from Kharkiv to Severodonetsk this month (December 2017)?
Expert's answer:
Severodonetsk is located about 50 km from the conflict zone. It is relatively safe to visit this city, but I would not recommend to go closer to the conflict zone. There are regular buses running from Kharkiv (the bus station #1) to Severodonetsk (departure at 10:15 and 11:45 - daily, 07:10 and 16:00 - Friday-Monday, the trip takes about 5 hours. There are no direct trains running between these cities.
Margie asks: Dear Expert, Thank you for your information on Odessa, and I will pass on Ternopil based on your recommendation. I just wonder if Yaremche would be a good base for exploring (solo) or would I be better off to stick with the tours out of Lviv that I was quite satisfied with. It's just a lot of travelling back and forth to do 2 or 3 different tours from Lviv, so I wonder if there is a local operator in Yaremche or somewhere closer. Thanks!
Margie asks: I wonder if I fly into Odessa if it is a nice place for a solo traveler, and then train to Ternopl or Lviv. Is there much to do in Ternopl? Then I travel to Lviv and take 2 tours to Transkarpatia. Or do you recommend stopping in Yaremche en route to Lviv instead? I could also fly straight to Lviv and skip Odessa, what do you think?
Expert's answer:
I think you will have a great experience visiting Odessa as it is a city with a rich history, architecture, people's traditions. Some info about
Odessa sights. Ternopil has
much less to offer. Yaremche has a lot of natural sights, so if you are not interested in them then you can probably skip it.
Coach Eddie of Boxing asks: Greetings from Texas. Is it safe to travel to Feodosiya Ukraine? I dont keep up with the news but have heard of Russia invasion of part of Ukraine but not sure which part of the country.
Expert's answer:
The entire Crimea is de facto controlled by Russia and it is not recommended to visit it at the present time. You can read the official statement about visting it on the site of the
embassy of Ukraine in the US.
Ken asks: Is it dangerous for a United States citizen to travel as a tourist to Bakhmut which is just west of the conflict demarcation line?
Expert's answer:
Bakhmut is located very close to the front line (only about 30 km) and will probably be the target for artillery fire if the conflict escalates again. I would not recommend visiting it at the moment.
Ron asks: What airport should I use to visit Mariupol coming from the USA.
Danny asks: Is it possible for American to travel from Kiev to Alvchesk by bus or train. I know there is a war there, is it safe for me or do I need any documents?
Expert's answer:
There are regular buses running from Kyiv to Alchevsk, which is not under control of Ukrainian officials now. That's why it is not recommended to visit it, especially for citizens of the US, it is very risky.
Connor asks: Is it safe to travel to Zaporozhye? What is the safest and best way to travel from Kiev or Poltava?
Expert's answer:
Yes, it is relatively safe to visit Zaporozhye now. The city is located far away from the conflict zone. The best way to travel from Kyiv to Zaporozhye is to go by train. You can book the tickets
here.
Margery asks: Hello, Ukrainian expert! I am travelling to Lviv in late May, early June. I would like to take a trip for 2-3 nights to Karpatia. What would be the best and most economical way of doing this, in a way that will allow us (2 passengers) to see the natural beauty and take in the food and wines of the region? I understand that this is a very short time for such an expansive region, but we would like to enjoy, relax, unwind, and meet local people. Many thanks.
Expert's answer:
I have found the following lists of short-term (1-2 days) tours from Lviv to the Carpathians, probably they will be of some use (
first,
second,
third). You can use the
following service to automatically translate the sites from Ukrainian/Russian.
Huub asks: Hello i want to visit Sumy in Ukraine to meet my lady i mett on a dating site Whats the most easy and comfortable way to travel from Netherlands?
Chris asks: Is it possible to travel from Alchevsk to Kiev? What restrictions are there?
Expert's answer:
Yes, there are regular buses running from Alchevsk to Kiev via Lugansk. The price is about 30 USD.
dwain asks: How much is a plane ticket for a family of 4 from Texas to Ukraine?
Expert's answer:
The cost of a round trip ticket for one person from New York to Kyiv starts from about 600 USD. Here is an example of the
flights available.
Christopher asks: Can I visit Sevastopol if I orginate from England?
Expert's answer:
You need to get a special permit to enter and exit Crimea through special
control check-points, and it is not issued to anyone. More info can be found on the site of
Ukrainian embassy in the UK.
Tom asks: I am from Asia, I am visiting Mariupol for 2 days business trip. Travelling from Odessa to Mariupol by car in day time, advised by business associates, this is the best option. Is it safe journey? Is it safe in Mariupol now? Thanks
Expert's answer:
Although Mariupol is located near the conflict zone, it is relatively safe to visit it at the moment. The road quality is average, the part from Kherson to Melitopol is in poor condition.
Felix asks: How much will be the living cost for 10 days in Ukraine including accomodation, food, transport and partying? I am planning for 5 days in Kiev and 5 days in Lviv?
Expert's answer:
The average rate for a three star hotel in Kiev is about 700-1,000 UAH per day, in Lviv - 500-700 UAH. The cost of travel from Kiev to Lviv by train is about 500 UAH. And for food, partying, etc. you will need a sum of about 8,000-10,000 UAH (of course it may vary greatly depending only on you). In total, you will need about 20,000 UAH or 800 USD. It is a very rough estimate.
John Downey asks: I would like to visit Berdyansk. Is it safe to visit Berdyansk? Thank you.
Expert's answer:
Berdyansk is located relatively far away from the conflict zone, the distance to Mariupol is about 80 km. From this point of view it is quite safe to visit this city. Of course you should follow standard precautions: don't walk alone at night, especially not in the central part of the city, avoid conflicts with locals, use MasterCard/Visa to keep your money, not cash, etc.
Tim Morris asks: I would like to come to Ukraine sometime between July and December of this year 2016. If I stay a month what would it cost me just stay in Zaporozhye for one month total combinations by that I mean comfortable and safe my travel expenses and other expenses housing accommodation what I need give me some idea please whenever you can offer information would be greatly appreciated thanks.
Expert's answer:
Currently (the summer of 2016), the average salary in Zaporozhye is about 250-300 USD per month. The cost of renting an apartment with one living room is about 100-150 USD per month. In general, I think that the sum starting from about 1,000 USD will be enough to live one month in Zaporozhye as a foreigner.
Mark asks: What is the easiest and safest way to travel from Kiev to Lutsk?
Expert's answer:
The easiest and safest way to travel from Kiev to Lutsk is to go by train, here is the timetable of
Kiev-Lutsk trains available. The trip takes about 6-7 hours.
Jim asks: Hi, I plan to visit some cities in Ukraine this summer. Is there any safety regulation, recommendation to visit Mariupol? Is safe to visit? Thank you so much!
Expert's answer:
It is relatively safe to visit Mariupol at the moment, just follow the news from the region in case something changes. It is not recommended to visit parts of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions (including the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk) that are not under control of Ukrainian officials.
Erick asks: Is it safe to travel to Nikopol? And what is the best route from Amsterdam?
Peter asks: Can I travel from Kiev to Lugansk by train in March or is the connection broken?
Expert's answer:
Today, there are no trains running from Kiev to Lugansk. Also it is not recommended to visit it anyway, because it is not safe.
Lennie Beatus asks: Hello there, I would like to ask you if Sumy is safe and how is the best way to travel from Germany ? Do I need any special requirements for journey and visit which might be longer than 1 month ? Thank you so much :)
Expert's answer:
It is quite safe to visit Sumy at the moment. You can fly
from Munich to Kyiv and go by train
from Kyiv to Sumy. Citizens of Germany can stay in Ukraine without visas up to 90 days within 180 days period. You only need your international passport.
This service can be used to translate sites from Ukrainian/Russian.
Petrie van der Merwe asks: Hi there. I would like to know what is the safest and most affordable way of transport from Kharkiv airport to Alchevsk? Please assist. Thanks
Expert's answer:
Alchevsk is not under control of Ukrainian officials right now. So it is not recommended to visit the area, because there is no guarantee of safety. That's why we can't give you advice about going there.
Glen Gaskill asks: Hello. Is it safe to travel by car from Kiev to Krivoy Rog?
Expert's answer:
It is pretty safe to travel from Kiev to Krivoy Rog by roads, but some sections of the roads are in poor condition. Traveling by trains is still the best way to explore Ukraine.
Joe Murphy asks: Best way to travel from Kiev to Mariupol?
Expert's answer:
There is a regular daily train (#584K) running from Kiev railway station to Mariupol; departure at 16:26 local time, arrival at 12:46, travel time - 20 hours 20 minutes.
Rob asks: I live in Budapest, could you please advise on the best way to get to Berdyansk from Budapest. Berdyansk does not have an airport. And most importantly is is safe to travel there?
Andrew Gunnell asks: I am a uk national & want to live in the ukraine with my girlfriend who is ukrainian. I'm told i need a visa, how do i obtain one?
logana asks: I would like to travel to Sumy in June, is it safe? How long does it take from the airport? How frequent are the buses?
Expert's answer:
It is pretty safe to visit Sumy. There are no direct buses or trains running from Boryspil airport to Sumy, but there is a number of them
running from Kiev. The trip from Kiev to Sumy takes about 6 hours. You can use
this service to translate sites from Ukrainian or Russian if necessary.
Rob asks: Travel to Kiev, today's date Jan 27th, 2015. The present situation in Ukraine seems to be escalating. What is the real truth on a trip to Kiev would this be sheer insanity or would one feel safe given the events that that have occurred of the last two weeks?
Expert's answer:
It is safe to travel to Kiev or other Ukrainian cities except the ones located close to the war zone (Donetsk and Lugansk regions).
Octavio asks: To reach Lutsk: is it better to fly from Paris to Warsaw and then going by train or bus to Lutsk?
Expert's answer:
There are no trains running from Warsaw to Lutsk, only buses are available. I have found the following timetable of buses running
from Warsaw to Lutsk. You can use
this service to translate sites from Russian or Ukrainian.
ron asks: Does my Ukrainian girlfriend need visa to Philippine? Thank you!
Expert's answer:
Yes, Ukrainian citizens need a visa to visit Philippines.
This article with some contact of the embassy will probably be useful. You can use
this service if you want to translate sites from Russian/Ukrainian.
Kym asks: Hi! A friend and I are looking to travel to Ukraine (particulary Chernobyl) late March/early April this year.
Do we need a tourist visa? We will only be there for around four days? (we are travelling on Australian and NZ passports).
Also, can you please advise us on the cheapest way of travelling to/from Poland? Thanks for your help :)
Ester asks: Hi, I was always very curious to visit Ukraine and Crimea. Is it safe to visit Kharkov now? Is there any war tension?
Expert's answer:
It is not a good idea to visit Crimea now. As for Kharkov, it is pretty safe to visit it. The conflict zone lies further on the south-east (in more than 300 km from Kharkov).
hussain asks: How much is train ticket from Odessa to Kharkov?
Expert's answer:
The price of the train ticket from Odessa to Kharkov is about 10-20 USD.
Rob asks: Is it possible to fly from Budapest to Nikolaev, I can not find any flights. I have search the web and it show no results. Any help would be appreciated.
maria asks: I want to travel to Kiev, to Ivano Frankivsk from Vienna. How much time will it take and what will be the charges?And do we need any separate visa for it?
Expert's answer:
You can fly
from Vienna to Kiev, it takes about 2 hours. There are no direct flights from Vienna to Ivano-Frankivsk but you can
fly to Lviv which is located nearby. It takes about 2.5-3 hours to go from Lviv to Ivano-Frankivsk
by train. You can use
this service to translate sites from Russian/Ukrainian. Citizens of Austria don't need a visa for a stay up to 90 days within a 180 day period.
Victor asks: I am an american man, is it safe for me to travel to Luhansk?
Expert's answer:
It is definitely not safe to travel to Lugansk now (November 2014). The city is under control of the Lugansk People's Republic forces. The entire region is a war zone; clashes between the army of Ukraine and separatists happen all the time.
Micky asks: Is there a direct train that runs from Kiev to Vienna or Bratislava? If so where can tickets be purchased?
Expert's answer:
There are no direct trains running from Kiev to Vienna, but there is a number of
flights available (from Borispol international airport located near Kiev). It is possible to go from Kiev to Bratislava by train, here is the
timetable. You can use
this service to translate sites from Russian.
Jacqie asks: How long from Zaporozhye to Pavlograd and how much does it cost and is there a train from Zaporozhye to Pavlograd?
Expert's answer:
The distance between Zaporozhye and Pavlograd is about 113 km. It takes about 1.5-2 hours to travel this distance by train, the ticket price is about 7-15 USD.
Daniel asks: How much time by train does it take to go from Nikopol to Kiev?
Expert's answer:
It takes about 14 hours to go by train from Nikopol to Kiev.
john asks: I want to get from London to Odessa by the easiest route. What do you suggest?
Expert's answer:
There is an internatinal airport in Odessa. There are flights to Vienna and Warsaw available (
timetable of the airport), so you can fly from London to one of these cities first, and then fly directly to Odessa.
Dave asks: Is there train and/or bus service between Dnepropetrovsk and Nikolaev? I have tried finding schedules and ticket prices online but have been unsuccessful. Thank you!
Tide Wilder asks: I would like to get from Odessa to Krivoy Rog and cant find any buses
joe asks: Can I get a bus from Lviv to Brody? Please send me a website that I can search this out. Thanks
Simeon asks: Can you please tell me what would be the best airport to travel to from England to Antratsyt and how much can I expect to pay for my Motel or Hotel per day.
Expert's answer:
You can fly to Donetsk international airport (there are direct London-Donetsk-London flights available). The schedule of buses running from Donetsk to Antratsyt. The distance between these two cities is only 129 km, so you can go by taxi too, it will be faster, more comfortable but more expensive.
There are not a lot of hotels in Antratsyt, so I would recommend to stay in Donetsk, and visit Antratsyt just during day time. We have some info about quite good Donetsk hotels on our page about the city. You can use the following service to translate the sites from Russian/Ukrainian if necessary.
BoDean78 asks: Is there a fast train that goes from Ternopil to Odessa or Kharkov? How much?
Expert's answer:
I haven't found any fast trains running from Ternopil to either Odessa or Kharkiv. It takes about 10 hours to go from Ternopil to Odessa by trains, 23-24 hours - from Ternopil to Kharkiv. If you need schedules of these trains, please provide your email and I will send it to you.
Hecht Artur asks: Could you recommend an English speaking guide in Chernovtsi?
Expert's answer:
I have found the following site with the list of
Chernivtsi travel agencies. You should check the sites of the agencies, try to get in contact with them and, I think, you will find a guide. You can use the
following service to translate the sites from Russian/Ukrainian if necessary.
Sam asks: How long does it take in a bus from Lugansk to Kharkov? What is the fastest way to get to Kharkov?
Expert's answer:
It takes about 7-10 hours to get from Lugansk to Kharkov if going by train, here is the
schedule of the trains available. You can use the
following service to translate the sites from Russian/Ukrainian. Going by trains may be not the fastest but definitely the safest way to travel in Ukraine.
Larryee asks: I want to go to Sumy Ukraine from Kansas City, Mo. Should I fly into Kiev and then take a train to Sumy?
Lina asks: How long does it take to drive from Kiev, Airport to Lutsk
Expert's answer:
It takes about 7.5-8.5 hours to get from Kiev to Lutsk if going by train, and 6.5-7.5 hours if going by bus. The distance between these cities by roads is 434 km and it takes about 6 hours to drive it.
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