Travel in Kyiv

As the capital, and the center of science, industry, and culture in Ukraine, there is not much you won't find in this Eastern European hidden gem. Stroll through the streets and visit the numerous small shops, cafés, museums, and cathedrals. The city has a population of over 3 million people; however, in many neighborhoods, it holds its humble small-town vibe. 

Entering Ukraine

The United States established diplomatic relations with Ukraine in 1991, following its independence from the Soviet Union. U.S. citizens do not require a visa if their length of stay in Ukraine is less than 90 days.

By Ukrainian law, all foreigners coming to Ukraine must have medical insurance covering their period of travel. This is not required for U.S. citizens to enter Ukraine. But if this is something you wish to purchase, please note that no U.S. health insurance plans will be accepted in Ukraine; a specific plan for international travel covering your travel destinations and dates will have to be specifically purchased.

The language

The official language is Ukrainian, which uses the Cyrillic alphabet. This can be challenging when you are used to the Latin alphabet; but luckily, almost everything is also written in English. Most restaurants offer English menus. You will find people in Ukraine genuinely friendly and they generally would try their best to communicate with you in English. 

The Cuisine

Ukrainian food is exceptionally various with a ton of meat and bread. In Kyiv, you have a blend of eateries that serve traditional Ukrainian food with a twist and European restaurants. Yet, there is likewise an extraordinary craft beer scene. Particularly in the Podil neighboorhood, you will discover distinctive craft beer pubs. It is certainly worth it to try typical Ukrainian dishes: for example, borsch, chicken Kyiv, and both flavorful and sweet varenyky (dumplings). The best spot to try out a bunch of different dishes is Puzata Hata, a self-serving cafeteria where you can have a go at everything at a very friendly price. You will see that Kyiv is fairly affordable to eat out in.

Sightseeing 

The main religion in the country is Eastern Orthodox, the second-largest Christian church. All over Kyiv, there are many beautiful churches to visit. If you are considering visiting any of the currently operating Orthodox churches, please note that ladies are required to cover their heads; nothing special - a scarf (or even bandana for a tourist) will do. Men, on the other hand, are asked to leave their head uncovered.
If you do not have the time and energy to plan out detailed itineraries for your visit, you can also consider joining any of the day tours available for booking on the internet. Some of the tours can take you to multiple landmarks across Kyiv in one day, and others even offer the opportunity to explore the Chernobyl exclusion zone. 

A few tips for prepping your trip

Ukraine operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz, and two plug types are used across the nation: type C and F. We recommend that you prepare both (and separate) type C and type F power adapters. 

National currency

The national currency in Ukraine is the hryvnia. You can withdraw money from ATM’s all over the city. But at every restaurant/cafe or supermarket you can also pay by debit and/or credit card. Definitely hold on to the coins, you can use them for the metro or for public toilets.