Kiev Capital of Ukraine

Kiev - Ukraine

Kiev - Ukraine

Kiev

is the capital city of Ukraine and it is the largest economical, political, educational and cultural center of the country. Kiev offers endless opportunities for tourism. Traveling to this city may be one of the most pleasurable experiences in your life. Ukrainians’ very lifestyle will be as interesting to foreign visitors as the capital’s major attractions and museums.

Kiev is quite a big city with  a population of  4,2 million. In order to discover as much of Kiev as possible one will need to use public transport or a taxi. Public transport is widely in use in the city, as Kiev has a well developed public transport network. There are two airports and a railway station in Kiev. Buses, trolleybuses and trams are popular among citizens and guests, as it is the cheapest way to get somewhere in the city.

Getting around in Kiev - Airports

There are two main airports in the capital of Ukraine, Borispol International Airport and Zhuliany Airport.

Borispol Airport is the largest and most modern airport in the whole country. The airport, located 38 km, or 24 miles, away from Kiev, was considerably rebuilt in 2000. This operates mainly international flights, receiving regular flights of 31 foreign airlines. The airport services more than 6 thousands clients, operating about one hundred flights every day. The airport features currency exchange offices, duty-free shops, post office, left luggage, drug store and restaurants.

The registration at Borispol Airport starts 2 hours and 30 minutes before the departure time and finishes 40 minutes before the flight. One should not miss the ticket registration, since the ticket can be sold to another person

Most domestic flights operate from Zhuliany Airport, which is located 11 km, or 7 miles, from the center of Kiev. Domestic flights connect all the major cities of Ukraine, including Odessa, Lviv, Donetsk, Sevastopol and others. Note that air fares for foreigners for domestic flights are more expensive than for Ukrainian citizens.

Getting around in Kiev - Trains

Trains are one of the most popular means to travel between Ukrainian cities. It is much cheaper than air travel, and one of its advantages is that you can see the country “from within”. Trunk railways link the capital of Ukraine to Russia, Poland, Hungary and to southern and western parts of the country as well.

The city of Kiev has only one railway station, which is located in the center, near the Vokzalna metro station.

Trains offer three types of compartment for long-distance train trips: first class compartments with 2 berths, second class compartments with 4 berths and the so-called platskarta, a carriage with numbered reserved seats, with 6 berths. If you need more privacy and more comfort, it’s advisable to buy tickets for the entire compartment and travel alone.
Commuter trains, the so called “elektrichki”, are aimed at suburban trips. Such trains are less comfortable and are equipped with wooden benches. In summer commuter trips can be very overcrowded.
Getting around in Kiev - Public Transport
While in Ukraine you can save on traveling using public transport. Buses, trolleybuses, trams, and subway are as commonly used here as privet cars. A passenger fare is 50 kopiykas (approx. $0.10) per ride. This fare is the same for buses, trams, subway and trolleybuses.
One may buy tickets at bus stops or from a controller on the bus. Alternatively, if you stay for one month or longer you can buy a monthly pass and use it as many times as you wish. Such a pass will cost you about 20 hryvnias. When you have bought a ticket, do not forget to punch it. Not punched tickets are invalid, and you might be charged a fine.
Kiev has a well developed network of subway trains. To go by metro, one should buy tokens (one token per ride) or metro pass (if you are going to use metro often, this option is the best). Tokens or metro passes can be purchased in a kiosk at any metro station.
Today a large network of minibus services develops fast in Ukraine, especially if the matter concerns big cities like Kiev. Minibuses are available in every corner of the city and can get you to your destination much quicker than common public conveyances. A passenger fare for minibus service is not fixed. It usually varies from 60 kopiykas to 1 hryvnia (approx. $0.12-0.20).  Public transport in Ukraine operates from 6 a.m. till 1 a.m.