How to Find Cheap Hotels in Ukraine

The second largest country in Europe, Ukraine has spent much of its history as part of either Russia or the Soviet Union. Independent since 1991, Ukraine struggles to attract tourists. For those who like to travel off the beaten path, however, a trip to Ukraine is a unique experience.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Passport

Find Cheap Accommodations in Ukraine

1. Hang out at the train station. Locals who have rooms to rent frequent the train stations in their search for lodgers. You can usually negotiate a cheap price for these accommodations. Make sure you see the room first before agreeing to rent it.
2. Choose a room in its original condition. Many of the hotels in Ukraine have been renovated in recent years to make them more modern. If all you want are clean, basic accommodations to sleep in, look for a place that has not been renovated. Prices will be quite cheap, often as much as 50 percent off the price of a renovated room.
3. Search outside of Kiev. As Ukraine's biggest city, Kiev also has the most expensive accommodations. There are perfectly acceptable hotels in other cities with much more reasonable price tags. You may even find a suite at a cheap price.

Navigate Ukraine

4. Travel by train. Ukraine has a good train system that is cheap and reliable. If you are going to be traveling overnight, get a first-class cabin. It is still a remarkable deal, and you will have a bed and be able to lock your door.
5. Hitch a ride. Hitchhiking is common in Ukraine, and rides are easy to find. When someone stops for you, negotiate payment with the driver, and you are on your way. Some cargo trucks will give you a lift for free.

Explore Ukraine

6. Go nuclear. Take a tour of Prypiat, the town closest to Chernobyl, where the infamous nuclear accident of 1986 occurred. No one lives in Prypiat now, and the town is famous for its ghostly appearance.
7. See the mountains. The gorgeous Carpathian mountain range, with its breathtaking views, is in Ukraine.
8. To book accommodations in Ukraine, call Ukraine Accommodation at 011 ([phone] or visit the link below. If you're calling outside the US, then it would be 00 ([phone].

Tips & Warnings

• No visa is required for visitors from North America, the European Union, and Eastern European countries unless you are coming to work or study.
• Stay healthy. Never drink unboiled tap water in Ukraine.
• Be aware that monkey attacks are common in Ukraine. The local authorities are trying to control the monkey population, but attacks on travelers and natives alike remains a problem.