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Latest Kiev hotel reviews
Kiev, as the capitol of Ukraine, is the obvious travel hub of the country, & at the main bus station at Moscow Square, it is possible to reach all the main cities & also the villages in Kiev'skaya 0bl'ast...
0n the downside, unless you can speak Russian, many of the lesser routes are impossible to discover because for a central bus station, Kiev is pathetic, without even adequate written itineraries on display...
The international traveller will probably be going to another city, most of which are reachable by either of the 2 main operators, with their own ticket offices at the 'autovoksal' (& also Boryspil airport) - AUTOLUX & GUNSEL
Both companies operate an almost identical timetable, with coaches leaving Kiev about an hour apart, the main difference at the cashdesk being that GUNSEL require some personal ID to fill out the ticket BY HAND, but AUTOLUX do not & give a rather inadequate looking little till receipt, for which they CHARGE 10-50 Grivna extra, per single journey, depending on whether you travel standard , or 'VIP'...
For the extra cost on standard class, you receive a luggage token - 'naumirok' - which must be handed over at your destination to obtain your bag from the hold - GUNSEL are less security conscious & have been targeted by organised luggage thieves at Kiev's main bus station.
Despite this risk, GUNSEL might still be considered even better value than their rival, because AUTOLUX services tend to fill with passengers travelling the entire route, but GUNSEL seem to attract those departing at intermediary stops...
Both companies provide a complimentary cup of tea or coffee, from a hostess, & these 'dyevooshkee' are another defining difference between the 2 operators - AUTOLUX seem determined to select the most stunning, while GUNSEL are a bit less choosy & their hostesses where shorter skirts in compensation...
Written Mar 18, 2011
I am in Kiev now. Most drivers do not speak english. There was mention of "Port taxi." i tried to call the number. They are not in service. I found good driver named "Albert". He describes himself as personal driver, he drives a Mercedes mini van. It is white and in great condition. Albert is very personable and charges 300 grivnia for trip from airport to anywhere in Kiev. He will also explain the sites and recommend where to go or what to do. Albert is reliable, prompt and courteous. I have used him at least 5 times so far. He also charges 100 grivnia per hour to tour the sites in Kiev. $14 and hour in comfort with driver that speak english is very reasonable.
Alberts mobile #; +38 063 578 00 87
+38 050 564 13 74
home;#; +38 044 578 00 87
I would recommend Albert for anyone whjo is new to Kiev or been here previously.
Updated Mar 12, 2011
Phone: +38 063 578 00 87
I am in Kiev now. Most drivers do not speak english. There was mention of "Port taxi." i tried to call the number. They are not in service. I found good driver named "Albert". He describes himself as personal driver, he drives a Mercedes mini van. It is white and in great condition. Albert is very personable and charges 300 grivnia for trip from airport to anywhere in Kiev. He will also explain the sites and recommend where to go or what to do. Albert is reliable, prompt and courteous. I have used him at least 5 times so far. He also charges 100 grivnia per hour to tour the sites in Kiev. $14 and hour in comfort with driver that speak english is very reasonable.
Alberts mobile #; +38 063 578 00 87
+38 050 564 13 74
home;#; +38 044 578 00 87
I would recommend Albert for anyone whjo is new to Kiev or been here previously.
Written Mar 12, 2011
Phone: +38
Kiev's central bus station (Moscow square) is a disgrace - my first experience was August 2005 - & nothing has changed there since, apart from the fact that the main entrance doors are no longer functional, as of January 2011 (- & no sign of repair in February 2011)
During this time, 0dessa bus station has gained an electronic public information screen & heating, but the capital, Kiev is a 3rd world throwback...
2012 it will be hosting international football tournament & be receiving 1000's of visitors, expecting a city with standards at a par with the rest of europe - they will be in for a rude surprise!
Updated Feb 28, 2011
If you are a true TRAVELLER, you will agree that the journey is at least as much a part of the travel experience as the destination, in which case, why not consider arriving in Ukraine on 1 of the long distance coaches that take you through the forests of Poland? I have travelled direct from London-Kiev 3 times now in mid-winter, & this scenic route has become the highlight of this journey. The coach leaves London Green Line, Tuesday at 20:00 UK time, & a smooth journey arrives in Kiev central bus station on Thursday by midday, giving enough time to catch a connection & be somewhere like 0dessa the same evening. Benefits of this relaxed way of reaching Ukraine are shopping in the duty free on the cross-channel ferry, having the opportunity to meet Ukrainian passengers, & the chance to eat at an excellent roadside cafe/restaurant, between Rivne & Kiev. The schedule allows passengers to get off in Zhitomir, or L'viv, if not wanting to complete the schedule to the capitol, where the operator is based (bus-lines-of Ukraine)
Written Feb 26, 2011
Helpfulness
The best way to get to Kiev is by air when you arrive to Boryspil International Airport located about 30 km to the east of downtown Kiev (one hour's drive to the railway station by taxi).
The airport has all modern conveniences and Terminal "A" for domestic flights and flights to former Soviet Union republics.
If you need travel assistants to help you with your railway tickets for yoru further travel in Ukraine, why not ask Yana travel agency who desk is located right near the arrivals.
Updated Oct 11, 2010
Phone: + 38 044 281 74 84
Website: www.yana.kiev.ua
the overnight train remains to be the best option to get from Kyiv to Ivano-Frankivsk.
there are three overnight trains to I-Frankivsk #43, #137 and #143.
#43 leaves Kyiv in 19:16 and arrive I-Frankivsk at 7:02 am.
#137 leaves Kyiv at 21:21 and arrive I-Frankivsk at 10:22 am.
#143 leaves Kyiv at 22:00 and arrive I-Frankivsk at 11:06 am
the price for a one-way kupe ticket (kupe is a sleeping compartment with 4 berths) is around UAH 160 ($20).
if you decide to travel by train, take into account that Ivano-Frankivsk is one the hubs for going to Carpathian mountains. In winter (skiing season) and in summer (hiking season) weekend tickets are bought well in advance, therefore advance planning is strongly recommended.
Written Sep 20, 2010
Helpfulness
the fastest way to get from Mykhailivska Sq. to Poshtova Sq. by a funicular (cable car).
the original cable road - the Mykhailovsky lift - was built between 1902 and 1905, to shortcut the distance between the upper and lower parts of the city, which otherwise would take be a long tram ride around and down to Podil. it was considered to be a high-tech innovation of the time.
in addition for saving time, one can also enjoy a beautiful panorama of Podil. for that purpose, make sure to get into the lowest level of the cable car.
the funicular is opened between 6:30 am to 23:00; cable cars ascend/descend every 5 min; the ride costs UAH 1.5 , a token (different from metro token) can be purchased at the entrance.
Updated Sep 14, 2010
Helpfulness
An overnight train remains the most afordable/safe way to travel in Ukraine.
The train #105 from Kyiv to Odesa leaves at 21:54 and arrives in Odesa at 6:12 am; the return train #106 leaves Odesa at 22:54 and arrives in Kyiv at 7:37. the train is a combination of new and old cars, with price difference in UAH 40 ($5). The newer cars are located in the beginning of the train (#1-10). the price for a one-way second class ticket (a sleeping berth in a compartment for 4 people) is between UAH 120-160 Hr ($15-20). My recommendation is to ask for a ticket in the newer cars which has softer berths and civilized toilets.
You should by tickets well advance if you decide to visit Odessa over the weekend or major holidays city like Odesa's Yumorina (Odesa’s Fool Day, April 1) and the City Day (September 1-2). You should by tickets WELL IN ADVANCE if you decide to travel there any time in summer.
Written Sep 8, 2010
Helpfulness
this is the fastest and the cheapest option available so far - to get to Kyiv (Boryspil International Airport, terminal A) from Lviv and Odesa, for a 1.5 hour for as low as UAH 68 (around $15 one way; all taxes included). this is a SUPER PROMO price offered by a newly launched budget airline WIZZAIR (all planes are of a Airbus A320 model). to get this lowest price, it's better to make a reservation (via internet) at least 2 weeks in advance, as the regular price might be as high as UAH 436 (one way).
the flight from Lviv departs on 17:00 on M, W, Fr, Su, and arrives in Kyiv at 18:15
the flight from Odesa departs on 20:40 on M, W, Fr, Su, and arrives in Kyiv at 21:50
the flight from Kyiv-Boryspil departs on 15:05 on M, W, Fr, Su., and arrives in Lviv at 16:30.
the flight from Kyiv-Boryspil departs on 18:55 on M, W, Fr, Su., and arrives in Odesa at 20:10.
P.S. as of 2009, wizzair discontinued flight to Lviv and Odesa. currently the only Ukrainian flight is from Kyiv to Simferopol (Crimea).
Updated Sep 8, 2010
Website: www.wizzair.com
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this is the fastest and the cheapest option available so far - to get to Kyiv (Boryspil International Airport, terminal A) from Lviv and Odesa, for a 1.5 hour...
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