Any tips about traveling to Ukraine and Crimea?

I am traveling to Ukraine next month. My lady friend will meet me in Odessa and we will travel by train to Crimea for a ten day vacation together. All the arrangements have been made, and I am very excited.

I am not in the least bit worried about my lady friend - we communicate well enough, and I am certain of our mutual sincerity, but I am not a world traveler. I have never been to Europe, let alone Eastern Europe.

I wish to treat the local customs and people I meet with proper respect, particularly to my lady friend. Are there any customs I should be aware of? Any tips on what I should expect, avoid, look for, etc. would be appreciated. Should I plan on using my credit/debit card, or would travelers checks be more useful?

Thank you in advance.

Hi there ,My wifes Ukrainian so some tips.

No credit cards or debit cards....trust me cradit card fraud is a problem in eastern european countries. I would stick with cash ,tale US $ and the exchange rate is quite a healthy one at the moment.

If your flying into Kiev then flying to odessa you should have no real worries you will be asked by about 20 taxi drivers within 5 mintues but other than that you should be ok.

Ive travelled through Kiev half a dozen times its a busy airport and passport control can be a bit of a nitemare but all in all its not a huge issue.

If you need to know anything else feel free to ask.
Have a good trip

Hello

Yes it is best to use only cash. Take only new bills not bills that are old or torn or have writing on them they will not be accepted.

Hello
From my trip 3 yrs ago to Odessa.
I would take lots of cash.
Tell my bank/credit card company where I'll be and when I'll return.
You may want to increase/decrease your daily draw on credit/debit cards.
Travelers checks are useless, nobody, not even banks want them.
I wish you a safe trip and good luck

I used my debit card with no real problems. I notified my bank prior to leaving of the international transactions that would be occuring. I notified the bank to only recognize transactions that included my pin number. The lines at the customs in Kiev are very long, so patience is a must. Alot of the airline employees speak fluent english, so I would not worry about any communication problems at the airport. Make sure you make your way to your transfer flight at least 2 hours prior to your departure time because there may be lines there too. It is important to remember that ukranians lives revolve around their families. Treat everyone with kindness and respect. Gifts to everyone you are visiting is a must, your sweeteheart should help you with that. If you sit down to eat with the entire family, it is a must that you wait until the eldest member begins to eat first, this is tradition. I would take some tylenol sinus medication also, the air there is very thick and difficult to breath(pollution). This does not occur everywhere but you will find this to be an issue in certain places. You must take plenty of pictures of you and your sweetheart, you will need these later if you may want to bring her to the states.(proof of relationship) Remember also that it is highly unlikely that the sweetheart will have air conditioning(unless you have plans to stay at a hotel) so it may get hot during the day. Good luck and ask if you have any other questions, I went to Zaporozhye in fall 08, my first time to Europe also, it was a blast!!!!

strange where did you take such archaic views???
People are almost the same all over the world. I think it is normal polite behaviour. Imagin you invited the guest. The guest came and didn't wait you sat at the table and started to eat. Agree it is more than unpolite.

Certainly if the family invites you it means a little bit party...they want to tell "welcome" to you. Who will tell welcome to you? Ofcouse the owner of the house. Who is the owner of the house? Ofcouse the leader of the family (may be he/she the eldest member)...shall you eat during the speach? (don't be afreid not a long speach - just a few words)....I think you shall not, more so I think they will wait back at least "thanks" from you or a word about how you are glad that you was invited and ect and ect. So as you see normal polite people with normal polite behaviour...as for you - you need to be just yourself.

Certainly, if you want to see your travel as a travel to the wonderful country with unusual customs ok I shall not spoil your dreams about.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Gifts! Okay, I have a gift for my lady friend, but had not considered gifts for family members. What is appropriate for a married daughter? Mother? Sister? (Ladies this is where most men struggle).

I will not land in Kiev, but fly directly to Odessa - less hassle with customs there?

After reading the comments, I think bringing cash may be the way to go.

@Olga - Ukraine may be an everyday thing for you, and not a big deal, but it certainly IS an exotic place for me, as it probably would be for most average Americans, especially those of us that grew up during the cold war era. Never in a thousand years did I imagine such a trip would actually be possible. Rest assured I will be on my best behavior, my mother taught me manners very well

I have no doubts even about

To exchange money at the airport (or at the railway station) is not very good - the currency exchange at the town would be better...so do not change many only just for taxi driver.

Don't know about US banks but Germany can use Raiffasen Bank - so not many cash with them they can take cash with the help of card in Ukraine if needed. I only read the advice not to use card if you want to pay with the help of the card - there were cases when it was taken more money from the card than you have to pay Yes in Ukraine we almost don't use cards only cash.

I didn't understand one poin about your meeting: you said that the girl was not ready to introduce you for her family but you meet in Odessa. If not to meet family why didn't you take tickets to Simferopol? you will stay several days in Odessa? to watch the town?
You see train is not very comfortable transport in Ukraine now (rather hot) but yes you will get more impressions...to overcome difficulties is for real men and you will see really very interesting town Odessa - it is considered to be the town of humour people.

Let your lady advise you on what gifts for the rest of the family, you should have time after your arrival, before meeting the family to pick some up. If i were you I would keep your passport with you, at all times, unless you were comfortable leaving it, maybe in a hotel safe(if you are staying in one). I kept a small shoulder bag with me, seemed to work out great. Make sure you have comfortable walking shoes also, if your lady does not own a car you are going to be walking alot!

"I didn't understand one poin about your meeting: you said that the girl was not ready to introduce you for her family but you meet in Odessa. If not to meet family why didn't you take tickets to Simferopol? you will stay several days in Odessa? to watch the town?
You see train is not very comfortable transport in Ukraine now (rather hot) but yes you will get more impressions...to overcome difficulties is for real men and you will see really very interesting town Odessa - it is considered to be the town of humour people."

Humour people? Fortunately I have a great sense of humor! I actually look forward to seeing Odessa - I had a penpal in the late 1970's who lived in Odessa, although we lost touch with each other many years ago when she married.

My friend never suggested going directly to Simferopol. The original plan was to stay one night in Odessa and take the train the next day, however things have changed. I will arrive at 1:55pm, and the train leaves around midnight (I think). We will get a hotel so I can shower and rest (although I doubt I will rest much - I will be too excited to sleep). She has already purchased train tickets for a sleeper car, and we will arrive in Yalta the next day.

I did ask her about her schedule - she is traveling from Nikolaev to meet me in Odessa, and I asked if it would be more convenient for me to travel to Nikolaev to meet her rather than have her go back and forth. She insists to meet me at the airport (she is worried for me).

I'm really not too concerned about what city I am in, as long as I'm with her

Speaking of passports - should I carry it with me everywhere? What are the possibilities of being asked to show it? Am I likely to be questioned by law enforcement often?

you are supposed to carry your passport everywhere yes but i didnt, i only got asked to show it in the airport because i had to sit and wait in the airport for my wife because of heavy snow. After that i didnt take it with me.

once you go through customs it is very unlikely you will need to show it again until you leave the country. I say keep it with you because that is your identification. If it is lost you are going to have a hellacious time departing Ukraine and reentering the US. You will not be treated like anyone other than a Ukranian once you are in country. I found it a very laidback lifestyle with beautiful warm people. I think Avgust is the best month to go, cool evenings, festivals everywhere. I was worried, as you, before my trip but once she meets you, you should be in very good hands. I found all of my worries were of no real problem once i arrived.

For those who have been through customs in Russian and the Ukraine:

What can we expect from customs if we bring a lot of gifts?
What about meds and supplements? (Doctor has me on vitamins)
Do they speak English at customs checks?

Last time I went through customs in the US was with a military ID. They just waved me through.

You can pick gifts up after you arrive, BUT gifts from America will make much more of an impact. It is always nice to receive a little gift, but a special gift that is from your home will be more greatly appreciated. It will show you were thinking ahead and planning for the family, as opposed to buying at the last minute as if in haste or as an after thought. AND don't forget the children.. a "real" American Barbie Doll or American candy will go a long way!

I don't know where you live, but items from your area will have a story attached, small items from your state, showing the state bird or local interests. This creates a conversation piece as well as a gift and will have give them something to show and share with friends. Even small photo books of you state. These are things they will have never seen. You could buy these at local gift shops before you go.. or perhaps at YOUR airport. But I would suggest not waiting and buying before hand. Even post cards of your state are nice as a simple items to give as an additional attraction.

Think "out of the box"... and discuss with your girl who you might meet, etc. Gifts do not need to be large or expensive; however, I would definitely take HER something nice like gold jewelry!!

Great ideas! Her gift will not be a problem, I am taking 'The Ring'. We are beyond all doubt.

Will customs ask for a detailed list? Will I need to take money for taxes?