What is the current in Ukraine?

The Ukrainian main current is 220 Volt (50 Hertz). Not all sockets are fit for European or US electric appliances, therefore carrying a universal adapter and voltage transformer is essential if you plan to use your laptop, electric toothbrush, etc.

How big restaurant tip should be?

Tipping culture is developing slowly – 5-10 % of your bill is usual, though waiters may expect more from you as a foreigner. Mind that in some restaurants the cost of service is included in the bill.

Can I pay with my credit card in restaurants or shops?

Mind that the national currency is the hryvnya (UAH) and all the bills should be payed in gryvnyas. Most of hotels, restaurants, bars and supermarkets accept payment by credit cards. Though credit cards are increasingly more widely accepted across Ukraine, having a sufficient supply of cash is important. ATMs are installed next to large shopping and business centres, plus there are a number of currency exchange offices are scattered over busiest parts of the city, still it is recommended to use their services in the department of banks, rates are better in the central ones. Though street vendors offering to exchange your cash are rare these days, using their services still is risky.

What are Ukrainian operating hours?

 

Offices usually open at 9.00 am and work till 6.00 pm from Monday till Friday with lunch breaks from 1.00 to 2.00 pm being quite common. Saturday and Sunday are mostly days off.
Banks admission hours are as a rule from 9.00 am till 4.00 pm.
Post offices are open from 8.00 am till 7.00 pm.
Shops, especially groceries, remain open till at least 8.00 pm.
In big cities some supermarkets, Internet cafes and currency exchanges are open round-the-clock.
Cafes, bars and restaurants are open till midnight, some - round-the-clock. Night clubs and casinos are operating from 8.00 pm till 6.00 am. The ¨hottest¨ part of the night there is from midnight till 3.00 am.

What are the holidays in Ukraine?

No offices are open on these holidays, shops can be open for the half of the day. Major holidays are:

Can I drink tap water in Ukraine?

Ukrainians usually boil water before usage or purify it by means of water filters. It is not recommended to drink tap water. It is better to buy mineral or table water in bottles in shops.

What is the situation with hot/cold water supply in Ukraine?

Hot and cold water supply is round-the-clock in Kyiv, in other regions (especially in small towns) its supply is according to schedule: a few hours in the morning and in the evening. Though all the hotels and mostly all the apartments we offer you are equipped with autonomous hot and cold water supply 24/7.

Is there any difference in time according to Greenwich?

Ukrainian time is shifted for +2 GMT. Setting watches back for 1 hour (for winter period) happens on the last Sunday of October and setting watches forward for 1 hour (for summer period) – on the last Sunday of March.

What about security in the streets?

It is advisable not to take big sums of money with you, do not exchange money on the street, when using public transport watch your luggage, hand bags or pockets. Do not take taxi with strangers. Obeying these simple rules will make your stay safe and pleasant.

What is the climate in Ukraine?

Ukraine´s climate is temperate continental, and subtropical at the southern coast of the Crimea. The mean temperature in January is -5⁰C (+23 F) and +20 ⁰C (68 F) in July. Winters are not very cold. Rains are more typical for Western Ukraine, especially in early spring and late autumn. In the Carpathians the temperature fluctuation can be rather big, especially in summer – from +25⁰C in day time till +5-7⁰C at night.

I do not speak Ukrainian. Will people understand me?

Staff of most Ukrainian hotels can communicate in English and Russian. Young people are studying English, German or Polish, so in the street you can always meet somebody who will help you at least in English. State language is Ukrainian, Russian is still widely used, especially in the Eastern and Southern Ukraine.

What about radiation level?

Nowadays radiation level in Ukraine does not exceed the standard, all the products that are sold in the markets pass radiation control. The only potencially dangerous place is the infamous Chernobyl zone which is a closed area.