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I'm going to Ukraine this Friday, and will be there for a week. What would you say are the top 5 things I should know about Ukraine? It could be anything from etiquette, to phrases, to travel tips, money tips, anything.

Fill me in on what the Ukraine traveler needs to know! Thanks!

2006-07-30 13:45:58 · 16 answers · asked by yngmillionaire 1 in Travel Europe (Continental) Russia

16 answers

Be prepared to remove your shoes upon entering a house. To keep apartments clean, most hosts will provide you with a pair of slippers.

Be ready to give toasts at dinner, for guests are often asked to do so.

Offer to share your snacks and cigarettes with those around you.

Be prepared to accept all food and drinks offered to you when visiting friends. Ukrainians are known for their generosity when it comes to feeding others. Turning down food may be considered rude.

Do not put your thumb between your first two fingers – this is a very rude gesture.

This last one was apperantly written by a genious :-D Enjoy your stay!

2006-08-01 12:45:08 · answer #1 · answered by Midori 2 · 1 0

Been there quite a few times.

First you will be required to by ukraine health insurance at arrival. It is worthless, but cant come in unless you do.

Change some currency there and keep your other money hidden. When you leave, you must transfer the money back to the old currency or they could take it from you.

Alot of the immigration/baggage checker people there will try and scam you for some money so watch out.

Take some tours. The big seaport in Odessa has plenty to offer. Statues of known poets, a real golden opera hall.

Make sure you have the proper visa on your passport and the proper visa to depart which they will give you upon landing.

You can not make long distance calls except from a hotel room or a general telepone station downtown.

The water shuts off at 12 midnight and comes back on at about 6am. Do not ever drink the water. Take care when showering.

You will probably be flying thru austria or frankfort for a connection.

Watch out for Kiev. It is not far from Chernoybl. They also have a recent rise of hate crime by racist gangs against people of color and heritage. Being an american wont stop them.

Never take just any taxi. Where ever you are staying, have them call the government cabs. it is maybe 4 or 5 dollars. better then getting mugged.

2006-07-30 14:53:19 · answer #2 · answered by Robert C 2 · 0 0

I would rather recommend to have very little cash on you while in Russia/Ukraine. You can get cash in multiple ATMs. Every big city in Russia/Ukraine has ATMs in multiple locations. For example, in international hotels. Go with Debit or ATM card rather than with Credit card.
Check with your bank though if they allow ATM withdrawals in Russia/Ukraine (recently some banks - at least, the one I use) had some issues about withdrawing money in Russia.
As for etiquette, be ready to see a lot of tied, angry, unhappy faces. But it's never hurts to be polite and say a couple words in Russian, which is used as much as Ukrainian.
Unless you are going to a big city, communication and finding your way (if you are alone) can be a problem. I would say in a small/middle size city (in Russian/Ukrainian scale it's less then 500,000 people) an average 1 of 10 people will be able to speak English.
Portions in restaurants will be 2 or 3 times smaller than in USA, but in most cases food will be delicious and for a good price(cheap!). Tipping 15% or about is generous enough.
Public transportation is highly developed and can bring you anywhere you want (If you are adventurous enough to travel by local minibus or bus).
Well, Good luck

2006-07-30 14:15:57 · answer #3 · answered by Sirena 1 · 1 0

1. Make sure you got to Odessa

2. Make a Xerox copy of your passport and keep it separate from your passport. If your passport is stolen it will be a big help for the Consulate to help you get a new one.

3. If you like artificial sweetener (Equal, Splenda, Sweet-n-low) be sure to take it with you.

4. Make sure you have the number of American Citizen Services at the Consulate/Embassy with you. They can assist you in case of an emergency.

5. Your best bet for currency exchange is to carry cash with you. Don't count on ATMs, don't count on Travelers Checks (some places won't take them) and don't count on using a credit card in a lot of places. Ukraine and Russia both seem to like "clean fresh $100 bills, for whatever reason, but will take crisp 20s too.

2006-07-30 13:53:07 · answer #4 · answered by americanwoman22309 3 · 0 0

Before I traveled for the first time someone told me that her husband in the military never leaves without a set of sheets from home. I took a set of mine, it didnt take a lot of space and i cant tell you how much it came in handy, some of the hotels i stayed at in Egypt we not the most clean, but the trip was a blast. Also, bringing zip lock bags were a god send because no matter how good the caps are on on your things, something always leaks.

2016-03-27 07:39:42 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Robert C says in his answer, "First you will be required to by ukraine health insurance at arrival. It is worthless, but cant come in unless you do."
You need to have GOOD travel medical insurance - you never know what will happen.
Go to http://www.wavehelp.com/travel-medical/index.htm and click on the little red phone booth to read about "Worldwide Health" insurance from the industry leader. It will cover you anywhere outside your home country.
Best wishes.

2006-08-03 04:49:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

No need to take a taxi from the (Borispol) airport.
When you exit the airport ...off to the right are buses to the train station. Ask for "zhede voksal" pronounced "zheddy Vok Sol"

Internet is VERY Inexpensive at the Train Station much less than anywhere else.

Make sure what ever dollars you have with you are clean and crisp with no tears or marks on them. They won't accept them otherwise

2006-07-30 13:50:52 · answer #7 · answered by gcbtrading 7 · 0 1

Visit Kyiv, Lviv, Odessa, Southern Crimea, Carpathians.
Prices on food are extremely cheap in the stores.
Restaurants are expensive and not the best service.
Trains and busses are cheap too.
Find Ukrainian fellow as a guide.
A lot of ATMs everywhere.
Cash is acceptable in hryvnja.
The service at hotels depend on your money abilities. Hotels are expensive.
People are very nice.
The place is very beautiful.
U may find a lot of garbage on streets.
Preety women, men are not so good looking.
Don't let Ukrainians to give your 2 or 3 times higher price than it is for Ukrainians(like in taxi no more than 10$).
A lot of wild beaches (naked people) at the sea, especially in Odessa ;-)

2006-07-31 23:38:02 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0 2

I have traveled many places
1. drink carbonated drinks no ice bacteria will not grow
2 Eat no salads especially which has mayonnaise in it, bacteria grows
3 eat your meat well done there stock doesn't have the injections we use
4 fresh fruits washed well and peal
5 if u are at a high altitude take at-lease 400 units Vita. E improves breathing

2006-07-30 14:02:01 · answer #9 · answered by JOHNNIE B 7 · 0 2

Watch the movie Everything Is Illuminated with Toby McGuire. It's a Great movie set in the Ukraine. Other than that I dunno go to the local bookstore and by some books that may help you know where to go and what to say.

2006-07-30 13:48:37 · answer #10 · answered by kindofkitty 6 · 0 0

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