How to Plan a Trip to Ukraine

Kyiv, Ukraine.

Ukraine is an intriguing destination--part cosmopolitan, part rural, part Russian, and one part fiercely Ukrainian. From majestic Orthodox churches and other historic sites to scenic mountain and sea views, Ukraine has something to offer for nearly every visitor.

Things You'll Need

• Valid passport
• Ukraine guidebook
• Ukraine map
• Ukrainian/Russian phrasebook

Instructions

1. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your intended departure and return dates. Check for any Visa requirements with the Ukrainian embassy.

2. Decide where in Ukraine you would like to visit. Ukraine is a large country--only slightly smaller in size than the state of Texas. Unless you have an unlimited amount of time to visit the country, determine one or two places to focus the majority of your trip.

3. Determine how much you will want to spend during your trip. The U.S. dollar exchanges rather favorably with the Ukrain Hrivna. However, travel costs to Ukraine can be fairly expensive. Make a budget for your trip and determine on average how much you will have to spend each day. Plan to budget more money for days spent in big cities such as Kyiv.

4. Visit Ukrainian travel websites to determine what events will occur during your visit. Easter and Christmas are two excellent times to take in Ukrainian culture. (Many Ukrainian holidays coincide with the Orthodox calendar.) An important festival commemorates St. John the Baptist on July 6-7.

5. Get an up-to-date Ukraine guidebook from your local library or bookstore. A guidebook will help you to determine where in Ukraine you'd like to visit, and where to stay and eat while there. Guidebooks can also help determine how best to travel around the country.

6. Take a look at bus or train routes to determine your travel itinerary. Buses and trains are fairly reliable and provide a convenient way to travel around the country without having to drive yourself.

7. Check historic weather conditions to determine the best apparel to pack. Winter and early spring can be quite cold, windy, icy and muddy. Summertime temperatures can be particularly hot at times. Pack a bath towel and washcloth (some smaller hotels may not offer such amenities), a personal roll of toilet paper (this will come in handy in public restrooms and on trains), an electrical adapter if you plan to bring electronics and personal toiletries. Women should also plan to bring along a long scarf to use as a head cover while visiting Orthodox churches.

8. Before leaving on your trip, give a copy of the front page of your passport and copies of any travel documents (airline tickets, hotel reservations, etc.) to a close acquaintance at home. This will come in handy in case any problems should arise while you are abroad.

9. Bring along a Ukrainian/Russian phrasebook. The alphabet in Ukraine is Cyrillic, so it will be helpful to learn how to read the alphabet before entering the country.

Resources

• Lonely Planet: Ukraine
• Travel to Ukraine
• Ukraine Travel Guide
• U.S. Department of State: Ukraine