The Basics
City Name: Kiev
Where is it located?: Kiev is in the middle of Ukraine, in the top quarter of the country.
Why do people go there?: Only 100 km away from the sight of the world’s most famous nuclear disaster, Chernobyl, Kiev is Ukraine’s answer to Moscow. The largest city in the country, Kiev is still shaking off the arm-around-the-shoulder from former Communist big brother Russia.
How do travelers get there?: Buses from bordering Russia, Poland or Romania are your best bet.
Currency: Hryvnia (UAH)
City Code: 44
Population: 2.8 million
Languages: Ukrainian, with a bit of Russian thrown in
Travel Information
Neighborhoods: Kharkivskyi
Attractions: Andriyivsky vzviz, Chernobyl Museum, St Sophia Cathedral
Accommodations: Kiev Hostels, Kiev Hotels
Tourist Office: http://www.kiev.info/
Off-the-beaten-path: Vydubetsky Monastery, Mariinsky Dvorets, Pushcha Voditsya
Tips for Visiting
When to go: See Ukraine in the spring, when people are shaking off their winter coats, but haven’t gathered up the energy to travel and crowd the cities and beaches.
Common Phrases: Yes = Tak, No = Ahi
City Specific Events: Kiev Day every May
How to get around?: The limited metro is the least daunting, but the trolleys, buses and private route-running vans are also around.
Good to know: Kiev is home to numerous modern industries, world-famous historical attractions and higher education institutions.
Cheapest airport to fly into: The cheapest airports to fly into Kiev are the Boryspil Airport and Zhulyany Airport.
Need more information?: Check out the Kiev travel guide for more on what to see, where to stay, and how to get there.
