FACTS ON UKRAINE AND TRAVEL TIPS

Do you plan to visit Ukraine? We are glad to provide you with detailed information on visa, accommodation in hotels and apartments, transport, tickets all over Ukraine, advice on most beautiful sights in Kiev and other cities of Ukraine, Ukrainian food and customs. Advance-Tour agency is ready to arrange your trip at your convenience and pleasure. If you do not find the information you need, we are ready to advise you on your travel to Ukraine by e-mail !

Ukraine is the second largest country in area in Europe. Only Russia, its neighbor country is bigger. Ukraine lies in southeastern Europe and borders the Black Sea. Ukraine became an independent country in 1991 when the Soviet Union dissolved. Nowadays it is a democratic country with population over 49 mln.

Quick facts on Ukraine
Visas to Ukraine
Maps of Ukraine
Climate in Ukraine
Average temperature in Kiev
Average temperature in Crimea
Tips on entering Ukraine
Tips on safety in Ukraine
Tips on health safety in Ukraine
Tips on Ukrainian customs and traditions
Tips on transport in Ukraine
Tips on payment and money in Ukraine
Tips on eating out in Kiev
Tips on Kiev prices
Tips on words and phrases you may need in Ukraine

Quick facts on Ukraine

Capital of Ukraine:	Kiev (Kyiv)
Population of Ukraine:	49 million
Official Language:	Ukrainian
Currency:	Ukrainian hryvnya (gryvnia, hryvna, hryvnia, UAH) = 100 Kopeks
Government of Ukraine:	Ukrainian President is elected to a five year term by Ukrainian people 18 years old and older. Ukrainian Parliament is the nation’s lawmaking body and has 450 members. The name of current Ukrainian President is Victor Yuschenko.
Religions in Ukraine:	About 80% of Ukrainians are Orthodox Christians, 10% are Ukrainian Catholics.
Area of Ukraine:	603 700 km2 (233 090 sq. mi.)
Elevation:	highest mount Goverla 2 061 m (6 762 ft) above sea level, lowest – sea level along the shore of the Black Sea
Ukraine Country Phone Code:	380
Time:	GMT/UTC + 2 hours. Eastern European Time.
Electricity:	220V, 50Hz. Standard European electric jacks.
Weights and Measures:	Metric
Main products:	manufacturing – iron and steel, machinery, transport, cars (local Tavria and Slavuta, Opel, Dacia, Daewoo, Mercedes, Skoda, VW), household equipment (TV sets, refrigerators, washing machines) chemical fertilizers, clothing and shoes, foods; mining – coal, iron ore, natural gas, oil, manganese; agriculture.
Food and drink in Ukraine:	The Ukrainian diet includes chicken, pork, beef, fish and mushrooms. Ukrainians eat a lot of potatoes, grains, fresh and sour vegetables, different kinds of bread. Popular traditional dishes include varenyky (boiled dumplings with mushrooms, potatoes, sauerkraut, cottage cheese or cherries), borsch (soup made of beets, cabbage and mushrooms or meat) and golubtsy (stuffed cabbage rolls filled with rice, carrots and meat). Ukrainian specialties also include Chicken Kiev and Kiev Cake. Ukrainians drink stewed fruit, juices, milk, sour milk, mineral water, tea and coffee, beer, wine and vodka. Here you can download a few recipies of Ukrainian cuisine
Famous Ukrainians:	Andriy Shevchenko (football player), Vitaliy and Volodymyr Klichko (boxers), Yana Klochkova (Olympic champion in swimming), Ruslana Lyzhichko (singer, winner of Eurovision 2004).

Visas to Ukraine

Most citizens of other countries require a visa to travel to Ukraine.

• Citizens of EU, Switzerland and Liechtenstein: beginning with 1 September 2005 visas to Ukraine are not required for EU or Swiss citizens who enter Ukraine or transit through its territory for the period of time of up to 90 days with a valid travel passport.
• Citizens of USA and Canada: beginning with July 1, 2005 visas to Ukraine are not required for the US and Canadian citizens who enter Ukraine within six months after their previous trip to Ukraine or transit through its territory for a period of up to 90 days with a valid American travel passport.
• The US citizens need to make sure that their current medical insurance has coverage in Ukraine.
• Citizens of Japan: beginning with August 1, 2005 visas to Ukraine are not required for the Japanese citizens who enter Ukraine or transit through its territory for a period time of up to 90 days with a valid Japanese travel passport.

There are cases when visas to Ukraine are required for the US, Canadian, EU, Swiss, Japanese citizens. E.g. visas are required for the citizens who enter Ukraine with the purpose of employment, permanent residency, study and work at the diplomatic missions in Ukraine or with any other purpose if they are going to stay in Ukraine for more than 90 days.

If you are a citizen of any other country or the rules above do not apply to your situation, then you need to apply for a Ukrainian visa at the consulate. No invitation letters are required for citizens of the US, Canada, Japan, Slovakia, and Turkey for obtaining official, business, private, cultural, or sports visas.

No visas are required for citizens of Hungary, Poland, Mongolia, Lithuania and the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (except Turkmenistan).

You may apply for visa to Ukraine at the Consular/Visa Section of the Embassy of Ukraine. For the list of Ukrainian Embassies  »click here.

We are ready to send you an invitation by mail so that you could apply for a visa.

For all types of visas (business, private, tourist, transit etc.) the following documents should be submitted:

• completed visa application form for each applicant holding a separate passport or being included in the joint passport;
• fully valid passport/travel document (C.I.D.) (photocopies are not acceptable);
• two recent passport sized photographs;
• invitation;
• two separate postal orders (or company cheques) covering the handling charge and visa fee;
• contact telephone numbers of all applicants (work, home or mobile).

The period of visa processing is 3-10 working days.

Emergency Travel visas good for up to 14 days are available at international airports in Kiev, Odessa and Simferopol for citizens of the European Union, United States, Canada, Slovakia, Turkey, Switzerland and Japan. Please note that emergency visas will not be issued at any other port of entry. Emergency visas will not be issued to citizens of any other countries.

In order to receive an emergency visas travelers must have valid passports, two passport sized photos and hold hotel/tourist vauchers from tourist organizations registered at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Maps
Maps of Ukraine are not readily available outside the country. One of the best maps available outside Ukraine is Freytag and Berndt's Ukraine. Much better maps are available in Ukraine, however most are in Ukrainian (cyrillic alphabet). The best ones are published by Kartografia and have bright blue covers. They can be purchased at book stores and news stands. Here you can download the map of Kiev centre.

Climate in Ukraine
Inland Ukraine enjoys a moderate continental climate. The hottest month is July. Average temperature is July is 23C (74F). THe cold month is January. Average temperature in January is -5C (24F). It is usually colder in the East and warmer in the west. Along the coast, Yalta and Odessa enjoy a subtropical climate and are much (especially Yalta and the Southern most part of Crimea) milder in the winter.

Average temperature in Kiev

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
°C	-5.6	-4.7	0.3	8.1	15.3	18.8	20.4	19.0	14.0	8.0	1.2	-3.1	7.6
°F	21.9	23.5	32.5	46.6	59.5	65.8	68.7	66.2	57.2	46.4	34.2	26.4	45.7

Average Temperature in Crimea

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
°C	-0.4	-1.0	2.4	9.8	16.0	20.3	22.8	22.1	16.9	10.6	5.9	1.9	10.9
°F	31.3	30.2	36.3	49.6	60.8	68.5	73.0	71.8	62.4	51.1	42.6	35.4	51.6

Tips on Ukrainian customs and traditions:
Even though Ukrainians are tolerant of the faux pas done by foreigners, you may want to know the following few things:

• When you are invited to a Ukrainian family, it would be courteous to bring a small gift or flowers.
• Buying flowers for a Ukrainian lady, please, remember to take an odd number.
• When you enter a Ukrainian home, it would be better to take the shoes off. You will be offered special slippers for guests.
• Ukrainians don’t place empty bottles on the table. When a drink is over, the bottle should be placed under the table. Otherwise, it will be bad luck for money.
• In Ukraine, women don't sit at the corner of a table. That's considered to be bad luck for marriage.
• Don't shake hands across the threashold (door entrance)

Tips on entering Ukraine:

• It is allowed to foreign citizens to bring up to $10 000 in cash or up to $50 000 in travelers' checks into Ukraine without a special license.
• Ukrainian law requires that travelers declare all cash and jewelry, regardless of value, upon entering Ukraine.
• Travellers to Ukraine are allowed to bring 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars; 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres of wine without customs duty.
• You will need to fill in the customs declaration and declare the cash or checks you bring into Ukraine. Ask customs official to stamp it. If you are leaving Ukraine and want to take out more than $1000, you will need to show your declaration proving that you had brought more money into Ukraine.
• It is prohibited to bring items like narcotics, pornography, weapons, and agricultural goods and live animals.

Tips on safety in Ukraine:
Ukraine is a peaceful and safe country for travelers both in large cities (Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Zaporozhie) and small towns. Anyway, you need to take certain precautions to avoid potential problems during your travel to Ukraine.

• Leave the credit cards you are not going to use, expensive jewellery, mobile phones etc. at home
• It would be wise to take a copy of your passport and keep it separately from all the other documents. Check that you always have your passport with you at a safe place, even if you go out to buy a sandwich.
• Use a money belt or concealed pouch for your passport, cash and other valuables.
• In case you lose your passport, contact the Embassy or Consular office of your country at once.
• Do not show large sums of cash when you pay a bill.
• Take care in public transport, pickpockets may steal the documents, money and mobile phones, if they see that a person’s attention is distracted.
• If you drink in a public place, make sure that you are accompanied by a trusted friend.

Tips on health safety in Ukraine:
Many visitors to Ukraine are worried about radiation level in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities. Since Chernobyl accident in 1986 the area surrounding Chernobyl 30 km was affected by radiation. The city of Kiev was not much affected because of wind direction. Today it is quite safe to travel and buy food and drinks all over Ukraine, but it is still advisable to avoid the Chernobyl city due to remaining nuclear remnants at the Chernobyl nuclear power station. Click here to read an article on visit to Chernobyl Power Plant by AP journalist.

The Ukrainian government monitors effectively fresh foods and meat sold in local markets. Cities like Kiev have paid professional medical care establishments. No immunizations are required for travelers to Ukraine. Here are some tips on health you may need while travelling in Kiev and Ukraine

• Avoid buying food in the streets, it’s better to use markets or supermarkets.
• Drink only bottled water to avoid infection at local tap water and constipation problems.
• Bring your own medications to Ukraine in order now to search them in the farmacies in case of flue or some other health problem
• If you need paid ambulance support in Kiev, you may call:

  Medikom, the Ukrainian Private Medical Company, 24 hours phones: 234-0303 or 055

  Boris, the Ukrainian Private Medical Company, 24 hours phones: 238-0000

  Kiev city ambulance: 03 (no English)

Tips on transport in Ukraine:

• Ukraine has airplane connection between its largest cities most days of the week. We are ready to book and buy tickets for you. Buying tickets yourself, don’t forget to take your passport. You will probably need the assistance of an English speaking person.
• Railway transport is inexpensive and convenient in Ukraine. You will need your passport to buy tickets for the train. Or we can buy railway tickets for you
• You can use a taxi moving around Kiev. Major taxi numbers in Kiev are (044) 238 8 238, (044) 527 0 527. You can also take advantage of Advance-Tour service of  rent a car with a driver. 
• You can  rent a car with us  without driver too. Driving in Kiev may be dangerous as many Ukrainians break rules. Many cars do not meet the safety standards common in Europe. Pedestrians should also take care because of cars driving or attempting to park on sidewalks.
• If you live far from Kiev center, it will be quicker to use metro (undeground). It costs 50 copecks (half a hryvnia). Here you can download map of Kiev metro (undeground)

Tips on payment and money in Ukraine:

• It’s necessary to have a certain amount of money with you in cash.
• It is easy to exchange Euros or U.S. dollars into the national Ukrainian currency hryvnya, as licensed exchange booths are widespread, and exchange rates are usually clearly visible.
• Major Ukrainian supermarkets, shops and restaurants accept Visa and MasterCard credit cards, some accept American Express cards.
• Large Ukrainian cities have a lot of ATMs where you can get cash from your credit cards. If you travel to small towns or villages in Ukraine, it would be better to exchange money into Ukrainian cash in advance.

Tips on eating out in Kiev:

• Fast food: Kiev and other large Ukrainian cities have lots of fast food places: McDonalds, Potato House, Mr Snack, Shvydko, Puzata Khata, Zdorovenky buly, Domashnya Kuhnia etc. Read more on fast food restaurants in Kiev.
• Best Ukrainian restaurants belong to one of the two networks: Kozyrnaya Karta and Mirovaya Karta. They offer a variety of different cuisines: Ukrainian, European, Japanese, Chinese, Georgian, etc. Dinner for two at a Kiev expensive restaurant will cost about $70-200
• Most restaurants don’t include tip in their prices, Ukrainians usually leave 5-10% of the order amount.

Here you can download a few recipies of Ukrainian cuisine

Tips on Kiev prices:

• Film for camera - from $2.5
• Phone cards - from $5
• 1 hour in Internet cafe - $1-3
• Fast food lunch $5
• Business lunch $6-10
• Taxi ride in the center $5-10
• T-shirt - from $3
• Bottle of Coca-Cola - $0,7
• Bouquet of flowers - $7-15

If you need additional consultation on Kiev prices, just   e-mail to us!

Tips on words and phrases you may need in Ukraine:

• Hello - Zdravstvuite
• Hi - Privet
• Thank you - Spasibo
• Please - Pozhaluista
• Sorry - Izvinite
• How much - Skolko
• Yes - Da
• No - Net
• Good bye - Do svidaniya
• Bye - Poka

We highly recommend you also to visit our partner site - Best Kyiv guide.