The spring (late April to early June) when the chestnut trees are in bloom and the longwinterhas come to an end is the best time to visit Ukraine. The Orthodox rituals around Easter are impressive, cafes are open again and you can hike in the Carpathian Mountains and the Crimean Mountains.
According to 800zipcodes, summer in Ukraine is very hot. Most Ukrainians spend this time in the Crimea, on the Black Sea coast and in the Carpathian Mountains. So it can be very crowded in this region. Yalta is totally overcrowded in August, so you shouldn’t go there that month.
The fall is almost as good for travel in Ukraine suited like spring. The flow of visitors has decreased and it is not so hot anymore. In December and January it is very cold in Ukraine, especially in the eastern part of the country. In winter, however, you can ski well in the Carpathian Mountains.
Airplane: the Ukrainian domestic flight network uses Kiev as a transport hub. Almost all flights pass through the state capital. Kievairport for domestic flights is Zhulyany.
The largest domestic flight providers are Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosvit. In addition, there are a number of smaller airlines such as Air Ukraine (6U), Dniproavia (Z6), Donbassaero (7D), Lviv Airlines (5V),engine Sich (M9), Odessa Air (5K) or Tavrey Airco (T6).
Ship: Dnieper cruises from Kiev to the Black Sea can be in manyTravel agenciesget booked. The largest provider is Chernova Ruta. Ukrferry offers cruises on the Black Sea from Sevastopol and Yalta. There is a similar offer with Dnieper Reisen starting in Odessa or Sevastopol.
Rail: rail is the preferred form of transport in Ukraine. The trains are slow, but also cheap and reliable. Delays are rare. Many trains have sleeping or couchette cars.
Each train station has luggage storage. Many are open 24 hours. Some cities, such as Kiev, Lviv and Simferopol, have advance booking offices in the city center. Some larger train stations, such as those in Kharkiv, Kiev and Simferopol, have special service centers that are also aimed at foreigners. In general, it is advisable to consult a phrase book for reasons of understanding when buying tickets. In order to purchase a ticket, travelers must show their ID or give their name.
Timetables are available from the Ukrainian State Railways and at all train stations on the Internet. With the acquisition of a few basic terms, they can be easily deciphered.
During train journeys, train attendants check tickets, distribute bed linen, wake passengers up in the morning and serve tea. Travelers should bring their own toilet paper. The water from the train pipes is not suitable for drinking or brushing teeth. During the journey it is part of the process to change for the night. It is also traditional to share the food and drinks you have brought with your fellow travelers.
Car: Ukraine has an extensive road network with extensive trunk and national roads. Some of the roads are in good condition. The Ukrainian petrol station network is very dense.
Rental car
The car rental agencies Avis, Europcar and Hertz have offices in Kiev, Dnepropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lviv, Odessa, Simferopol and Yalta. If you want to rent a car, you have to be 25 years old. It is advisable to carefully check the rental and insurance conditions.
insurance
Liability insurance (green insurance certificate) is mandatory. Car rental companies offer their own car insurance.
Bus: almost all cities and small towns can be reached by bus. However, since the vehicles are usually not very comfortable, short trips are recommended. However, there are also some luxury buses on the main routes. The largest bus companies are Autolux and Gunsel.
Some larger Ukrainian towns have several bus stations. Some serve as stations for long-distance buses, while the small stations are intended for local traffic. Timetables can usually be found near the ticket offices.
Local transport: local passenger transport in Ukrainian cities is provided by trolleybuses, trams, buses and, in some cases, also by subways. The public transport system is usually congested and overcrowded. When using it, travelers should not be squeamish.
The easiest way to buy tickets is from the driver or conductor. There are plastic chips for the subway that are sold at counters in the train stations. Each station can have multiple names, one for each line that crosses the stations. Subways usually run from 5:30 a.m. to midnight.
Bicycle: the Carpathian Mountains and the Crimea land especially for exploring by bicycle. However, as a precaution, cyclists should always keep an eye on car traffic.
Spare parts are available in numerous markets. However, bike rentals are rare. It is more advantageous to buy a bike at the beginning of the trip and sell it again at the end. For transport in trains, the wheels must be wrapped in foil and can then be stored in the luggage storage above the beds.
