Most would say that the best obmin valut is the closest one, as long as the exchange rate isn’t too outrageous. They think that, barring places that post 5.045 instead of 5.45, just about any currency kiosk will do. Even a lousy rate is acceptable if it’s late enough.
But that logic doesn’t work for connoisseurs like our Best Of team. A good exchange point had better accept a host of currencies at favorable rates; it shouldn’t suffer from long lines; and it must stay open late. It’s also nice when you get to see the face of the person giving you money – that two?way bulletproof glass is so, well, impersonal.
Location isn’t so important; after all, convenience is relative. However, it is a safe bet that Kyiv’s best obmin is not going to be in Darnytsya.
In our search, we devised a very specific test. We sent out a member of the team with a wad of cash to exchange. Armed with the following: three American quarters and a penny, 1,000 Belorussian rubles, a five pound Egyptian note, 10 Salvadoran colones (Salvadoran whats?), 25 Soviet rubles and 10 pesos from the bank of Cuba.
In fact, our secret agent is still armed with these currencies. Not one exchange point would accept any of them. Apparently one can expect only so much from a Kyiv obmin valyut.
Still, in the course of his investigation he managed to uncover an excellent obmin. It’s located in Truba, the underpass at Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Be careful because there are several down there, and many offer rates that, to put it kindly, are not advantageous. The best has two outlets – one directly across from the new Ukrainian fast food restaurant Shvydko and the second about 10 meters from there.
While this obmin accepts only European currencies (aside from the obvious: Japanese yen and U.S. and Canadian dollars), it accepts a lot of them. Who knew there were so many countries in Europe? Everything from Austrian shingles to Belgian francs; Norwegian coronas to Greek drachmas. All in all, 20 currencies are represented. This number is sure to take a hit when the euro starts to circulate, so enjoy the variety while you can.
The rates are favorable, as proven by a look at the big three (dollars for Hr 5.40, marks for Hr 2.55, rubles for Hr .185). They work throughout the night, let you look at the smiling attendant in the face, accept some coins (for example British pounds) and are usually not very busy. Let’s face it, it’s as good as it gets in Kyiv, even if our Salvadoran brothers might be disappointed.
