Post Office

Every town in Ukraine has a developed network of post-offices. The main post-office is usually located in the central part of the city and offers nearly all existing types of communication services. The Kyiv Central Post Office is at 22 Khreschatyk vul. and works from 8 am till 9 pm on Monday through Saturday and from 9 am till 7 pm on Sunday. Here you can buy stamps, post cards, use fax machines, send letters or packages, and make international calls. If you have any questions, call the Central Post Office information service at 065 or 228-1793.

Phones

For calls around city, you can use public telephones located all over the city. You need a phone card which you can buy at any post office. ' Long distance phone services in Ukraine are operated by Utel (Ukrainian Telecomunications). The rates for calls to Europe are about $0.60-1.50 per minute. Calls to the United States are about $2.00 per minute (see Utel guide to telephone services).

Mobile communication providers
DCC
Golden Telecom
Kyivstar GSM
UMC
Wellcom

Time

The time in Ukraine is set two hours ahead of the Universal time in Greenwich. To save electric power, it is altered twice a year. The watches are set one hour forward in the last week of March and one hour backward in the last week of October. For exact time information, dial 060.

Communications:

1) Telephone: Ukraine has reliable communications with the West, and most major cities provide IDD facilities and can be dialled from abroad. Country code: +38. Outgoing international code: 810. Telephone counters in the central post offices of city centres are usually open 24 hours.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900/1800. Operators are Kyivstar (website:http://www.kyivstar.net/), Ukrainian Mobile Comms (website:http://www.umc.ua/) and Ukranian Radio Systems (website:http://www.welcome2wey.com/). GSM 1800 operator is AstelU, Golden Telecom (website:http://www.goidenteie.com/). Coverage is limited to Kyiv and other main urban areas.

Fax: Facilities are good and are available in most offices and hotels.

Telegram: These can be sent from central post offices in large cities 24 hours a day.

Internet: ISPs include UANet (website:) and Ukraine Intercom (website: http://www.ukrcom.net.ua/). E-mail can be accessed from Internet cafes in Cherkassy, Kyiv, Lyiv and Odessa.

Post: Services are erratic. Letters to Western Europe can take two weeks or more.

HELPFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Emergency services:

Information services:

Most Ukrainian cities have extensive public transport system which operates from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. Buses, trams and trolleys are rather slow, but it is a cheap way to travel within cities. Prices range from 30 kopecks to 2 hryvnas.

Taxi is comparatively cheap for Ukrainian/Russian speaking passengers. Probably every situation with taxi is like this - if one speaks a foreign language price for a taxi goes up. There are numerous taxi services, orders are taken via phone. A taxi or a gypsy cab can be hired right on the street simply by putting out your hand. Services of gypsy cabs are less expensive but are not recommended from the safety point of view. However, if you wish to use a gypsy cab make sure there is nobody else inside but the driver and negotiate the price before you get in the car.

We recommend you to use your opportunity in hiring our driver in terms of security.

Do not drink the tap water. Use bottled water only, even to brush your teath. The water purification system in Ukraine needs serious upgrade, and until avoid using tap water for drinking. Speaking about drinking water, the majority of food stores and supermarkets in Ukraine have a big choice of bottled water: carbonated and non-carbonated, mineral or simple potable water. But there is also no detectable radiation in the water.

You should be aware that hot water is typically turned off for a month during the summer so the pipes can be cleaned.

You would be impressed with quantity and quality ot restaurants here - national Ukrainian cuisine, European entrees, Italian Pizzerias or just fast food.

Ukrainian cousine restaurants become more and more popular with traditional Borsch - red and green, several kinds of Ukrainian Vareniki (dumplings) stuffed with potatoes, mushrooms, all kinds of meat or cheese. Golubtsy (cabbage rolls) - cabbage leaves stuffed with rice, meat, carrot and fried onion, usually served with sour-cream, jellied meat with horse-radish, suckling pig, stuffed fish and plenty of other Ukrainian specialities. Ukrainian cousine is rich of natural components grown in the fertile Ukrainian tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet onion, lettuce, peaches, watermelons, apples, grapes - all vegetables and fruits produced in Ukraine taste marvelous.

Radiation and Food - Radiation is a constant concern because of the 1986 catastrophe at the Chornobyl nuclear power station some 60 miles northwest of Kyiv. The level of background radiation in Kyiv is considered safe. Kyiv's food supply has been tested for radiation and so far no elevated levels of radiation has been detected. It is suggested to avoid wild mushrooms, berries, and game, for they are considered to retain radiation.

Throughout Ukraine alcohol is quite inexpensive and easily accessible. Ukraine is a zero tolerance country, so do not drink and drive. The fines are substantial and you are never sure what may happen in such incidences with the militia

Electricity in Ukraine is 220 Volts, 50 Hz AC. You will need a European plug adapter (with round pins) plug into electric sockets. Adapter kits can be purchased at Radio Shack, Wal-Mart, K-Mart and luggage stores.

American electrical appliances will also require a "step down" converter that adjusts the electricity from 220V down to 110V.

Note: Most new video camera Battery Chargers can be plugged into 220V or 110V sockets. Consult your Operating Manual for details for your camera model.

Weather considerations aside, be yourself and be comfortable. Bring a mixture of both casual clothes for daytime and clothes you would normally wear out on a date. There is no "right" or "wrong" way to dress, so relax and wear what you want.

MEASUREMENT CONVERSION

WOMEN'S SHOES-MEN'S SHOES

Ukraine is famous for its high-quality textile, as well as food products and drinks: delicatessen, caviar, confectionery, chocolate, juices, beer, vodka, Crimea wines and plenty of others. Shops and markets trade via Hryvna only. However, some of shops accept Visa, MasterCard/Euro Card. You can identify such places by credit cards signs on the entrance door.

Buying a souvenir, a painting, a sculpture or other handcrafts it is a good idea to get a certificate identifying hall value (its absence) of the purchased good. This document might be useful when going through the customs upon departure from Ukraine.

We recommend you to use the assistance of our English-speaking guide to lead you through all the possible places of shopping and minimize the risk of unfair prices and non-quality products.

The Ukrainian national currency is Hryvna (UAH).

Notes are in denominations of UAH 200, 100, 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1

One hryvna = 100 kopiyok

Coins are in denominations of 50, 25, 10, 5, 2 and 1.

Yet convertible, Hryvna is a rather unstable currency.

You can see the current official exchange rate of Ukrainian National Bank here:www.bank.gov.ua

Money can be exchanged at banks, exchange desks at hotels, shops or licensed exchange windows. Passport is not required for exchange operations. Exchange rate might differ from the official NBU rate.

Changing money with black-market traders is not recommended and can be dangerous.

USD and EURO are the most popular currencies in exchange booths. Other currencies are more difficult to exchange and have lower rates due to minor circulation in Ukraine.

ViSA, MasterCard / EuroCard are accepted in major hotels, restaurants, casinos, stores, ATM's.

Owners of American Express, Dinners will experience problems when using their cards even in regional centers.

Not generally advised. If taken, they, should be made out in US Dollars.

Traveler's cheques and credit cards can be cashed less out of a bank fee (which is 1-4% of the amount) at the majority of banks. Most popular Travelers cheques in Ukraine are Thomas Cook and Visa. To cash travelers cheques, the receipt of purchase and passport of check owner is required.

Currency restrictions: The import of local currency is up to the amount declared on the Ukrainian Exit Customs Declaration. The export of local currency is limited to UAH85. The import of foreign currency is limited to US$10,000 and any amounts exceeding US$1000 require a special customs form. The export of foreign currency is limited to US$1000. Any higher amounts can be exported with special permission from the National Bank of Ukraine.

Exchange rate indicators:

Date Nov 05 J1.00 = 8.88 $1.00= 5.03

Banking hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1730.

Our advice

1. In general, Russia and Ukraine operate as a "cash economy". In most situations you will be expected to pay for goods and services in local currency, not with dollars or credit cards. However there are many currency exchange offices available. It is easy to exchange dollars for rubles or grivnas.
2. The banking situation had been unstable in both countries. In 1998, the August banking crisis hit with no warning, making credit cards useless overnight. Don't get caught short! Always have $ 300-500 cash in reserve, in case your credit cards suddenly don't work.
3. Travelers Checks are for security, not convenience! There are a very limited numbers of places to cash traveler's checks. There is a fee for cashing traveler's checks. It can take several hours, by the time you go to American Express office, stand on line, cash your checks and get back to your vacation
4. We recommend wearing a money belt and bringing mostly cash. Of course, it's completely up to you.

Restaurant bills normally include a 5% service charge, however, you'll often find that a few extra hryvnias (10% suggested) can make your dining experience a lot more pleasurable.