Anyone been to Kiev?

chris.tarry85

chris.tarry85

chris.tarry85

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Fancying a long weekend in Kiev next year combined with a trip to Pripyat and Chernobyl however I'm not sure how different Kiev is to other Eastern European cities.

We been to Germany, Warsaw and Prague, is it noticeably harder to survive in Kiev with only English than in any of these?

Just to add - Kiev is about 700km from the "dodgy" part of Ukraine, so not worried about that aspect at all.
 
I went a few months before they sealed the reactor vessels.

It was great. Had no issues with language really. English speakers are around and pointing got us through the other times.

Money goes a looonnngg way there, ate and drank like a king and still ended up bringing cash home.


The contained area, including pripyat, is an amazing place to visit. We went with lupine travel, who've come up a few times on these boards.
 
Markopolo said:
I went a few months before they sealed the reactor vessels.

It was great. Had no issues with language really. English speakers are around and pointing got us through the other times.

Money goes a looonnngg way there, ate and drank like a king and still ended up bringing cash home.


The contained area, including pripyat, is an amazing place to visit. We went with lupine travel, who've come up a few times on these boards.
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Thanks, did you book all as one package? We were planning to sort flights and accommodation and then separately book a tour.

This would then give us the freedom to spend a couple more days exploring the city.
 
I went like 20 years ago on a school exchange, en route to Odessa.

I remember everything being dead cheap, currency being hilarious (40,000 Koupons = 2p), needing USD to buy anything, beggar children literally hanging on to you as you walked down the street, food not being great, water not being drinkable...

It's notably more former USSR than the other places you've mentioned, basically.
 
Wonderful City. People are very friendly and pro EU. Make sure you visit Mother Motherland, it is most impressive. I usually stay in the Hotel Ukraine which is located right on Maidan Square. Perfect location, very old school Soviet feel and about £13 a night for a double room. As mentioned, food and drink is cheap compared to here, although it is becoming more Westernised and expensive as time goes on. As for the trip to the Exclusion Zone, it has become very touristy of late, and due to "that" video of the Ferris Wheel allegedly moving, the authorities have really clamped down on access to the buildings in Pripyat. There are plenty of tour companies that offer day trips and it is also possible to stay in the town of Chernobyl overnight if you fancy staying longer. Any questions, please ask, I have spent more time in the zone that is probably good for you!
 
I'm going for a fourth time a week today.

Long weekend in Kiev then off to Slavuycth for the week. We take the train to the reactors with the work force.

Kiev is very cool. Lots to see. Went to a football match last year, was great and I don't even like football.

We're staying in Hotel Ukraine but treating ourselves to a business suite which all overlook maiden square.

Getting around is fine. Subway is easy enough to navigate.

We visit the zone as part of a package. Lads that run the show have done so for a number of years so know what they are at. Also know folk who arrange their own trips and seem to go well.
 
Wait, so you all go to see the site of a failed nuclear reactor? Please tell me that you also spent some time chatting to and pursuing the local women?
 
dowie said:
Wait, so you all go to see the site of a failed nuclear reactor? Please tell me that you also spent some time chatting to and pursuing the local women?
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Fine if you want to end up with a massive credit card bill and a possible spouse. It happened (although not to me).
 
Diddums said:
No mate, nobody has, sorry.
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Tuppy_Glossop said:
Lies! Lots of people have.
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epswat said:
Fine if you want to end up with a massive credit card bill and a possible spouse. It happened (although not to me).
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You're not talking about a certain affable Danish guy are you?

He ran up a massive credit card bill and "married" one of the girls in Ugly Coyote club.
 
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EddScott said:
You're not talking about a certain affable Danish guy are you?

He ran up a massive credit card bill and "married" one of the girls in Ugly Coyote club.
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Couldn't possibly say!
Sounds like his luck has not improved either. Last I heard he had a run in with the Slavutych Mafia.
 
chris.tarry85 said:
Thanks, did you book all as one package? We were planning to sort flights and accommodation and then separately book a tour.

This would then give us the freedom to spend a couple more days exploring the city.
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Spent three days there, two in Kiev on our own and one doing the exclusion zone tour. We booked it all through lupine iirc.
 
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