Currency:
Hryvnya
is the only legal tender of Ukraine.
Language:
Ukrainian
is the official language of Ukraine. That is, it is the official
language of Ukrainians who represent the major part of the state’s
population. Approximately 10-13 million people in the diaspora
speak Ukrainian. This includes people living in Russia, Poland, the
Czech Republic, Romania, Hungary, the United States, Canada, Argentina,
Brazil, Australia,and others.
Passport
and Visas:
To enter
Ukraine, a visa is needed for all non-Ukrainian citizens, with the
exception of CIS citizens and people with diplomatic or special
passports of countries that have special agreements with Ukraine.
The best and cheapest way to obtain a visa is through the Ukrainian
consulate or embassy in your country, prior to departure. Also, a
single-entry visa can be obtained at the airport or any border station.
To extend a visa, contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Ukraine (tel:
226-3379).
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.
·
“Red” corridors are for people carrying goods or cash that must be
declared:
·
Any prohibited items, such as explosives and weapons (except gas and
hunting weapons officially approved by Ukrainian authorities), drugs,
artwork, antiques, and luggage sent separately.
·
More than $1,000 and 85 hryvnyas in cash.
·
Personal jewelry with value exceeding $240.
·
More than 1 liter of alcoholic beverages.
·
More than 200 grams of tobacco products.
·
“Green” corridors are for those people who do not have any goods to
declare.
In order to ensure that all foreign citizens who are temporarily staying
in Ukraine are provided with the opportunity to receive foreign aid, the
Cabinet of Ministers has issued a decree regarding these procedures.
According to the decree, foreigners who are temporarily staying in the
country should have insurance policies that guarantee the payment for
any medical aid provided to them. These insurance policies can be
purchased from the State JSC for Providing the Foreign Citizens with
Emergency Aid and other places where visas are processed or when
crossing the state border.
Airports:
Almost
all international flights to Kyiv arrive at Boryspil International
Airport, located 30 kilometers from the city center. The departure
and arrival lounge features a Duty-Free shop and Irish bar. The
other main airport, which handles mostly domestic flights, is
Zhuliany-Kyiv, located 7 kilometers from the center of Kyiv. It is
important to save all documents you receive and fill out while going
through customs, as you will need to present these when leaving Ukraine.
The
most convenient way to get from Boryspil airport to downtown Kyiv is by
taxi. Taking into account the fact that taxi drivers do not
usually speak English, you should know or have your destination written
in Russian or Ukrainian. There are also shuttle buses connecting
Boryspil airport to central Kyiv.
Transportation:
Taxis
Taxis can be ordered by
dialing 0-58. However, private cars and taxis swarm the city
streets, so getting a ride is not a problem. To hail a car, simply
put out your hand to flag down a ride, and a car will stop.
Private cars (locals who have cars and on occasion act as a taxi) cost
significantly less than taxis. Be wary of getting into a private
car with more than one person already inside. Although this is the
most common way of getting a ride (besides public transportation), one
should be cautious and careful. Most drivers do not follow many
traffic laws and usually do not speak English. Negotiate and agree
on a price beforehand.
Metro
Kyiv boasts a very common,
safe and inexpensive metro system. Tokens may be purchased at any
metro station. One token costs approximately 30 kopecks, and
monthly passes cost 19 hryvnya. One token allows transfer from
line to line.
Trolleys
and Buses
Trolleys and buses tend to
be crammed with people but are a good and cheap way to travel around
Kyiv. Tickets can be purchased at bus stops or from a trolley/bus
operator. If the ticket is not punched while in transit and a
person is caught, the fine is about 4 hryvnya.
Trains
Kyiv is connected to
European and Asian cities by an extensive network of railways. The
capital’s only station is located in the center of the city, next to
the Vokzalna metro station (tel: 223-1111). The ticket office for
rail travel is located at 38/40 Tarasa Shevchenka Blvd. (tel: 050).
Train travel is the least expensive and most convenient way to reach
just about any city! Prices are higher for foreigners, and the
rate usually includes a per-ticket commission.
Trains run everyday to Moscow, Budapest, Odesa, Lviv and St. Petersburg.
There are three comfort classes for long-distance train travel:
luxury-soft with two pullout beds for more space, coupe-soft with four
beds, and platskart-with six beds per compartment. However,
electric commuter trains, called elektropotyahy or elektrychky,
are usually only outfitted with hard wooden benches and no amenities.
They are generally very crowded, especially on the weekends and in
the summer, when people travel to their summer homes.
For more comfort and privacy, it is recommended to buy out all of the
tickets for a compartment. This is a good idea for women and
anyone traveling alone who does not feel safe sharing a compartment with
other people.
It is always a good idea to bring a personal supply of toilet paper,
soap, food and drink. Also, in order to secure baggage, a simple
bike lock can insure against theft, and a bungee cord can be used to
keep the door closed. It is suggested to bring a travel belt to
keep valuables and money close to oneself.
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Electricity:
The
standard electric voltage is Ukraine is 220 volts. If you are
traveling with electric appliances/accessories, be sure to bring an
adapter for the outlets. For bigger and more valuable equipment,
it is a good idea to bring a surge protector.
Communication:
Post
Offices
Post
offices are located all around Kyiv. The Central Post Office is at
22 Khreschatyk Street. Stamps and post cards may be purchased, fax
machines may be used, and international phone calls can be made.
Phones
For calls
within Kyiv, public telephones are located throughout the city and
require phone cards. These cards may also be purchased at every
post office. Long distance phone services in Ukraine are operated
by Utel (Ukrainian Telecommunications). The rate for calls to
Europe are about $.60-1.50 per minute. Calls to the United States
are about $2.50 per minute.
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Culture and
Traditions:
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 for
them 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.
·
It is considered a very rude gesture to place one’s thumb between your
first and second fingers. Refrain from doing so.
Public Holidays:
Holidays
are often celebrated for several days, depending on when the holiday
falls. For example, if a holiday falls on Thursday, then Friday
and Saturday may also be holidays. If a holiday falls on a
Saturday or Sunday, then Monday is considered a holiday as well.
January 1
New Year’s Day
January 7
Orthodox Christmas
March
8
Women’s Day
Easter
is
celebrated on a Sunday and Monday in the spring, according to the
calendar; after Passover.
May 1,2 Labor
Days
May 9
Victory Day
Last
Week of May
Kyiv Days
June 7
Trinity Day
June 28
Contitution Day
August24
Ukrainian Independence Day
