Ukraine Travel Guide - Getting There

The main airline is Ukraine International Airlines (PS) (tel: (44) 581 5050; website: www.ukraine-international.com/eng). Aerosvit (VV) (tel: (44) 490 3490; website: www.aerosvit.ua/eng) operates domestic routes as well as serving a number of international destinations.

From London to Kyiv to is 3 hours 30 minutes.

Kyiv - Borispol International (KBP) (tel: (44) 490 4777; website: www.airport-borispol.kiev.ua) is approximately 34km (21 miles) from central Kyiv. To/from the airport: Buses run to the city centre for most of the day (journey time - approximately 1 hour). The arrival/departure point in central Kyiv is the central railway station. Taxis also run. Facilities: Banks/bureaux de change, duty-free shops, restaurants, pubs, child facilities, left luggage and car hire.

None.

Main ports: Ilyichevsk, Izmail and Odessa.

UkrFerry (tel: (8) 0482 344 059, in Ilyichyevsk; website: www.ukrferry.com) operates ferries from Odessa to Istanbul, Turkey; from Ilyichevsk to Poti and Batumi, Georgia; from Ilyichevsk to Varna, Bulgaria; and from Ilyichevsk to Derince, Turkey. Ferries are available to the Russian ports of Novorossiysk and Sochi. Ukraine's most important internal waterway is the River Dnieper.

Several companies offer Black Sea cruises around the Crimean peninsula.

Ukraine's 22,730km (14,207 miles) of railway track link most towns and cities within the republic and further links extend from Kyiv to all other CIS member states. The main stations are Kyiv and Lviv. Regular daily services connect these stations with Moscow. There are international trains to many other major European cities. Fast 'firmeny' trains are the most rapid, modern and comfortable trains. Tickets are cheap by UK standards. If travelling by overnight train, do not leave the compartment unattended.

Timetables for trains within CIS states, including trains to Ukraine, are available in English (website: www.poezda.net). The fastest train from Kyiv to Moscow takes 10 hours 30 minutes and to St Petersburg 25 hours 30 minutes.

Outside urban areas, Ukrainian roads can be badly lit and in poor condition. Border points are at Chop, Mostiska and Uzhgorod. A road tax is payable at the border. Petrol stations and repair garages are becoming more common, but it is recommended to carry spare parts. Diesel, leaded and unleaded petrol are available. Cash is usually required at petrol stations. Insurance cover can be difficult to arrange. See Getting Around for information on traffic regulations and documentation.

Coach: Eurolines (tel: 0870 514 3219, in the UK; website: www.eurolines.com) runs regular coach services to Ukraine. Passes: Travellers can book a 15- or 30-day pass.

Bus: A few buses run daily services from Kharkiv to Moscow.