I spent 10 days in Western Ukraine and it was one of the best trips that I’ve ever taken. Even with a war going on in the east, there’s still a plethora of reasons to visit Western Ukraine now. Getting in and out of Ukraine isn’t easy, but it’s not impossible.
For Americans considering making a trip to Ukraine, here are some things to know.
- Air raid sirens go off daily. Most Ukrainians hear them so often that they ignore them. That doesn’t mean tourists should ignore them. Even though things are relatively peaceful in the west, an occasional missile slips through. That wouldn’t hinder me from making another trip to Ukraine, but it is an important thing to keep in mind. If you hear the siren, head to the nearest shelter.
- As of this writing, airports are still closed in Ukraine. The only way to get into the country is by car, train, or foot. For us, we flew into Krakow, Poland, and took a train to the last stop in Poland. From there, we took a taxi to the border and walked across. We had a car waiting for us on the other side. Trains also enter Ukraine from Warsaw and Przemyśl.
- I highly recommend packing light. Lugging suitcases from train to taxi isn’t fun. The less you have, the easier. Often, we had to hold suitcases and bags in our laps, because there wasn’t much room in the vehicles. There’s plenty of stores selling items at good prices if you run out of something.
- The exchange rate weighs heavily in the favor of the United States. As of this writing, one Ukrainian hryvnia equals .0258 cents. Meaning, 10 us dollars equals 386.95 hryvnia. While in Lviv, we stayed at the Grand Hotel, which is a 5-star hotel with all the amenities one can wish for. The average cost as of this writing for that hotel is $118 US dollars. While researching hotels, I also found 3 and 4 star hotels under $50 US dollars.
- Spas in Ukraine are amazing. Ukrainians know how to indulge their guests. Every hotel with a spa that we stayed at was peak luxury. I could easily have had purely a spa vacation at any of the hotels we stayed in.
- Ukrainians love Americans. That’s not something you find in most countries. Usually, when I’m traveling and tell someone where I’m from, it is assumed that I’m arrogant. That wasn’t the case in Ukraine. Everywhere we went, if someone heard us speaking English, we were told how appreciative Ukrainians are for Americans and the United States. Read more about this issue in a story about my taxi ride.
- Obey the crosswalk and lights. Ukrainians don’t jaywalk. Everyone waits for the light before crossing the street. The New Yorker in me wanted to walk every time the road looked clear.
- There is currently a midnight curfew. Most bars begin to shut down at 11, so the employees can get home. Know how long it takes to get back to your hotel so you’re not stuck out past curfew. You will be stopped if you are out past the curfew. It can also be difficult in some places to grab a cab close to midnight. It’s better to leave early than late.
- Try all the foods. Ukrainian food is delicious. I’ve been craving borscht ever since returning home. If you’re not sure what to try, a server will be more than happy to help you out.
- Hospitality is incredible in Ukraine. It’s one of the things the country is known for. Don’t be afraid to ask a question or for input. Hotel staff and restaurant employees are more than willing to help.
- Most Ukrainians know at least a little English. Only one time did I find communicating a challenge, and that was in a store. Even then, it wasn’t impossible to figure out what to buy. Many Ukrainians not only know English, but they want to practice their English and will want to talk to you.
- Ukraine drivers drive on the right side, just like in America.
- You don’t need a special visa to enter Ukraine. You can visit with your American passport.
- Visa is the preferred credit card in Ukraine. American Express was only allowed in a few places.
- The crime rate is pretty low right now in Ukraine, but as with any big city, there’s a certain amount of being vigilant that is necessary. However, I saw no signs of crime or heard about any instances while in Ukraine.
- Getting around Lviv is pretty easy. Taxis, Ubers, buses, trollies, and minibuses are easy to manage.
- The tap water is safe in Ukraine, but it is recommended to drink bottled water.
- Keep your documents handy and safe. Because of the risks, it’s a good idea to have them close to you at all times. I bought an over-the-shoulder fanny pack for the trip to hold documents.
- Pick up a Sim card at the airport to so you can use your phone. Or, if you have a good deal with your phone company, pay for an out of country service. I pay an extra $10 a day to use my phone outside of the United States.
- Ukraine has a tipping culture. Tipping is about 20% of the bill.
Those are my tips. Curious to know what others would add who have visited Ukraine. If you have any suggestions, please include in the comments.
To see Joshua Brandenburg’s photos of Ukraine, click here.
Our Ukrainian host with the Lviv government organized our trip to show that Ukraine is open for tourism. We felt completely safe throughout our time in the Lviv Oblast region. We had many sumptuous meals and were entertained throughout our time. (Follow Lviv’s tourism Instagram and Facebook accounts for more information)
Our American/Ukrainian contact, Sasha Vosk, was born in Ukraine and looks to help build Ukraine through tourism. He founded the organization, Rebuild Ukraine Foundation, to help build up the Ukrainian economy and help inform the world of all that Ukraine offers. One doesn’t need to wait till the end of the war to visit the country. It’s ready for tourists now.
Hear are more stories abour our time in Ukraine:
Where is God During War: A conversation with a Ukrainian Priest
15 Reasons to Visit Western Ukraine Now
Defeating Darkness with Art: Touring Park 3020
Getting Naked in Ukraine
Rebuilding Ukraine by Rebuilding Children’s Lives: My interview with the staff of SOS
Emily Resort and Spa in Lviv, Ukraine is a Luxury Paradise with Family-Friendly Activities
Visiting Ukraine During the War
Representing America in the Back of a Taxi in Ukraine
Promoting Tourism in Ukraine During the War
Visiting Ukraine During the War
Snowboarding in Ukraine
Tips for Americans Visiting Ukraine
Visiting Truskavets’ Healing Springs and Spas
Horseback Riding in the Carpathian Mountains
Visiting Kamianets-Podilkskyi: Remembering the Past and Building to a Better Future
The Show Must Go On: The Lviv Opera House is Open Despite the War
Traditional Ukrainian Drink Uzvar Recipe
Kyiv Mule Cocktail Recipe
Our Ukrainian host with the Lviv governmentorganized our trip to show that Ukraine is open for tourism. We felt completely safe throughout our time in the Lviv Oblast region. We had many sumptuous meals and were entertained throughout our time. (Follow Lviv’s tourism Instagram and Facebook accounts for more information)
Our American/Ukrainian contact, Sasha Vosk, was born in Ukraine and looks to help build Ukraine through tourism. He founded the organization, Rebuild Ukraine Foundation, to help build up the Ukrainian economy and help inform the world of all that Ukraine offers. One doesn’t need to wait till the end of the war to visit the country. It’s ready for tourists now.
I also visited Ukraine with Joshua Brandenburg, a photographer from New York City. You can visit his website here and follow him on Instagram here.
Other travel adventures:
| Central America |
| Honduras Hugging Sloths in Honduras |
When were you there?
January 2024