Hi, how was it & whats the best currency to take as the Ukranian funny money is prohibited for sale in the uk :-)

I would take EURO, and exchange into Ukrain Grivna. Mostly what i did was use ATMs, They will give you the Ukrainian currency, Just use it all up because it is usless out of that country. ATMs are every where.

how did you get there? Did you fly to Kiev or into Poland and take a train? Please tell us more about your feelings/experiences. Was your trip a vacation or for work? Thanks!

We flew from Toronto to Rome, then to Kiev. Wanted to take a train from Kiev to Mariupol,but because of some holiday could not get tickets. So we took a bus about eight and a half hours, The bus had no toilet,so had to pace your self as far as stops.Our trip was a family trip, My wifes family live in the Ukrain. After we spent five days at the mothers house in Mariupol. We were off to Oddesa to visit a brother, There is no train from Mariupol to Oddesa,and did not want to take the bus again so we flew in a little 15 seater, It took one and a half hours,and was reasonable 130dollars, but because of the poor cabin presure it was very hard on my ears apon landing. Spent one week there nice familly, And then anouther brother picked us up and we drove by car to Kiev, nice hi-way. Four hour drive. Stayed at his house for a few days as he was about 45minuets from city centre, we decided to rent an apartment in the city for the last five days, nice appartment, it was 100 dollars per night. Keiv is a very busy city lots of traffic, but there transit system is very fast and cheap.

I am very interested in visiting eatser the Ukraine. Kiev, Odessa and the Crimean would be likely locals for my visit, comments? Are credit cards accepted at hotels and restaurants, such as Visa, Master Card or American Express? Any and all input would be greatly apreciated.

Hi yes credit cards are widely accepted in all hotels. Possibly not in all resteraunts. But in some yes. Plus there are plenty of ATM machines, and also lots of money exchange booths, to switch differant currancies.

Thanks for the heads up regarding credit cards. I am wondering if you can help me figure out the time taken to travel between some ukranian cities. Also what prices are for rail, bus or airfare between cities such as Kiev to Odessa and into the Crimean obviously form Odessa. The distances are rather difficult to determine using a map and its scale.

I have looked up some hotels on line and the prices average $70-100USD for a single room, $100-140USD, are the prices reasonably accurate? How far in advance do you need to book? I would like to travel on a loose time schedule while I am there over the course of 12-15 days. Is it necessary to book accomodation in each city before leaving Canada or is it possible to find reasonable accomodation upon arrival at a specific city? I am planning on being in the Ukraine the last week of August unti the end of the first week in September it this helps you answer. I really apreciate you taking the time to answer these question. Your experiences abroad make your input a valuable and useful resource for anyone planning a trip to the Ukraine.

p.s.

Are the women as beautiful as I have heard say they are?

Again thanks

Dan

Hi Dan im sorry but im not going to be able to ansewr all your questions, but i will tell you at least what i know, We did not stay in any hotels,because we stayed with family, So im not sure about hotel prices, We flew from Mariupol to Oddesa, which is approx, 650 kilometers, small 15 seater, We paid 130 dollars for that flight,each. From Kiev to Mariupol we took a bus,it was about 35 dollars each. I would have rather taken the train, but we couldnt get tickets because of some kind of holiday. I have taken the train on previous visits and it is my prefered way to travel, From Kiev to Oddesa it is approx, 400 kilometers that stretch of hi-way is excellent. A bus would be faster than a train. Ive stayed in apartments, in Kiev, more reasonable than hotels, but ive always had my wife or Russian speaking people with me so it hasnt been a problem for me, This last trip we paid 100 dollars a night for the appartment. Hope this helps a little. Mike

Thank you Mike your comments and input are greatly apreciated. Any advice on must see attractions in Odessa and Kiev? Are there any safety concerns in these cities? Are there any special visitor visa requirements like in Russia or is a valid passport all that is needed to enter the country? again thank you for your time and consideration on these matters.

Dan

Im not much of sight seeing tourist, But in Odessa you will want to see the Potomken steps, They lead right down to the Black sea, I was told that just out in the bay some seventy odd years ago, two ships had a battle, witch resulted in the start of communism. In Kiev they have some awsome old churches very beautiful all with spectaular gold guilded domed ceilings. You wont miss them they are quite visable from most parts of the city, As far as safty goes, i never felt uncomfortable, if you happen to see groups of teenagers drinking, i would advise, to stay clear. Just common sence, like travelling anywhere. As a Canadian citizen you do not need a Visa to enter the Ukrain, this changed a couple years ago. Just a passport, and a piece of ID, like a drivers licence. Mike