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Useful things you need to know about Kyiv (Kiev) Ukraine

Here you will find all you need to know about the important stuff for your visit to Kiev (Kyiv) in Ukraine.

The official language is Ukrainian which uses the Cyrillic alphabet. Most Ukrainian’s speak Russian, but many younger people have some knowledge of English. Almost all restaurants and bars in the centre of Kiev (Kyiv) have menu’s in English. 

Recycling Bottles

Drinking Water

Ukraine has the worst water quality in Europe, and you should not drink tap water or brush your teeth with it in Kiev (Kyiv). Bottled water is inexpensive and widely available. 

Image by Fajrina Adella

Electricity

Ukraine’s wall sockets and plugs are of the two-pin type. There are two types of plug, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. The electrical current in Ukraine is 230 Volts/50Hz.

Ukrainian Money

Cost of Living

  • An average meal for 2 will cost approximately $22.

  • Domestic Beer (0.5 litre draught) - Approximately $1.

  • Regular coffee - Approximately $1

  • One-way Ticket (Local public Transport) - Approximately 50 cents

Image by Jaelynn Castillo

Time Zones

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 Ukraine is in the Eastern European Time Zone. Eastern European Standard Time (EET) is 2 hours ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).

Bridge over river Dnipro in Kiev Ukraine

Weather & Climate

Ukraine can best be described as having a continental influenced climate. Kiev has four distinct seasons: a cold winter, warm hot summer and a cool autumn and spring.​

ATM in Kiev Ukraine

Money & Currency

Make sure that all your banknotes are new and crisp. Worn notes that are torn or have writing on them will not be accepted for exchange.  Beware of thieves and pickpockets, keep your cash hidden and secure.

Ambulance in Kiev Ukraine

Medical & Emergency

If you are unfortunate enough to require medical or emergency assistance there are a few things you should know. First and foremost the emergency numbers - Fire 101, Police 102 and Ambulance 103.

Image by Markus Spiske

Phones & WiFi

Bring a spare phone with you to Kiev (Kyiv). Sim cards are really cheap and you can save yourself  a lot of data usage (and money) by using a local SIM card.

Monument to the Founders of Kiev in Ukraine

History of Kiev

Kiev (spelt as Kyiv in Ukrainian language) has a long, rich, and often turbulent history that dates back to the 5th century. It is one of the oldest and historically richest cities in Eastern Europe.

Old Ukrainian war hero

War in Ukraine

It would seem the only media news we hear about is that Ukraine is a war zone. Yes! There is a war in Ukraine, but it is confined to the East around the cities of Donetsk and Lugansk

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