How to Travel to Odessa in the Ukraine
Located in Southern Ukraine, Odessa is a centuries-old port on the shores of the Black Sea. Traveling to Odessa may take longer than getting to other European cities, but the trip is still relatively straightforward. The city was named by Catherine the Great after Russia gained control of the region from the Ottoman Empire. During the Soviet era, Odessa was a popular vacation destination for citizens of the USSR, as well as an important commercial and military port. Today, with slightly more than one million people calling it home, Odessa is the fourth largest city in the Ukraine. Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, Odessa has opened its doors to international visitors who visit the city for its history and architecture, as epitomized by sites like the Voronstov Palace and the Opera House. Its beautiful seaside setting enhances the physical appeal of the city itself.
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Instructions
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Determine if you will need a visa to enter Ukraine. Citizens of many countries, including the United States, do not require a visa if they intend to stay in the country for less than 90 days. The nearest Ukrainian consulate or embassy will be able to assist if you are unsure whether you require a visa. Summers tend to be the busiest season in Odessa. If traveling in the summer months, make reservations well in advance and expect to pay 10 to 20 percent more for accommodations and travel than at other times of the year.
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Fly to Odessa. Several airlines, including Austrian Airlines, Ukraine International Airlines, LOT Polish Airlines 2 and Aerosvit Airlines, service Odessa International Airport (also known as Odessa Central). Depending on your departure city and airline, you will likely need to connect through Vienna, Prague, Moscow or Warsaw. Round trip airfare tends to range between US$500 and US$1000; the season and airline you choose are the primary determinants of the price you will pay.
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Drive to Odessa. Odessa can be reached via the M05 highway from the Ukrainian capital Kiev. Major rental agencies such as Hertz and Budget operate from Boryspil International Airport. You will need an International Driving Permit as well as a passport and major credit card in order to rent a car. Once in Odessa, use caution as the street signage is inconsistent and, at times, nonexistent.
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Travel to Odessa by train. Trains to and from nearby cities such as Prague, Warsaw and Kiev service Odessa on a daily basis. While relatively inexpensive (around US$15 one-way from Kiev), the summer season can be quite busy. If traveling between May and September, book your train tickets well in advance.
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Use a bus or boat for slower-paced travel to Odessa. Buses are a popular and economical way to travel to and from the city. Most cities in Ukraine have at least one bus station serviced by the state-owned bus company as well as private companies such as Autolux. International bus routes also service the city. A ticket from Kiev to Odessa will cost around US$20; round-trip fare from Berlin to Odessa is around US$150. If you have time, you can also take a ferry from Batumi or Boti in Georgia to Illichevsk--one of Odessa's seaports. A one-way fare costs as low as US$165 but the trip will take 50 hours. Ferries from Istanbul and Varna, Bulgaria, also offer sporadic service to Odessa.
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Tips & Warnings
Before leaving, check to make sure the Ukrainian visa requirements for your country have not changed.
The Black Sea region is subject to political instability. Check if the US State Department has issued travel advisories for Ukraine or neighboring countries before you leave.
References
- Photo Credit yachts in harbor Odessa Ukraine after the storm image by vadim kozlovsky from Fotolia.com
