Navigating in Kyiv might seem difficult for foreign tourists arriving for the final Champions League match scheduled for May 26. However, a handful of tips and mobile apps will help them save time and money, have fun and explore the city even without any knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian languages
SIM card
Arriving to Ukraine, it’s recommended to buy a local SIM card. Ukraine has three phone carriers to choose from: Vodafone, Kyivstar, lifecell.
The SIM cards are overpriced at the airports though, so it’s better to buy a card in the city center, where it costs $2. Tariff plans are cheap: Unlimited access to the mobile internet, 4G, will cost up to $6 a month.
The prefix for outbound international calls to Ukrainian numbers is +380. Press and hold 0 button for “+” sign.
Taxi
Never hail a taxi at the curb. The drivers are notorious for trying to rip off foreigners. Instead, once there’s an internet connection, use a taxi app.
There are two options: largely widespread Uber, or its Ukrainian slightly cheaper counterpart — Uklon. It might be worth installing both apps beforehand.
A ride from Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to the city center costs about Hr 400 ($15), and up to Hr 100 ($4) from Igor Sikorsky Kyiv International Airport, since it’s located in the city. The apps allow paying with both cash and a card. It’s likely though that the rates will be higher on May 25–27.
In case there are troubles with the internet connection, call Uber by phone: 9988. Uber will send an SMS with the price once an operator knows the itinerary. Thus, a driver can’t ask for more money. In this case, one pays with cash.
Uklon, in turn, has an option of an advanced booking to have a ride ordered beforehand.
The taxi apps are really good not only for trips from airports but for day-to-day rides around Kyiv. But there are much cheaper options, and faster in case of traffic jams.
Generally, it’s better to pay with a card, because Ukrainian drivers might not have enough change.
Metro
Underground is probably the fastest and most convenient public transport worldwide, and in Ukraine, it is incredibly cheap as well as clean and elaborately decorated.
A metro ride costs 16 euro cents. The most convenient way to pay this money for metro is with a payWave or a PayPass bank card — just look for a yellow turnstile.
Alternatively, both Apple Pay and Android Pay work in Ukraine, and so can be used on the same turnstiles.
There are a couple of apps that may help navigate inside the metro. Metro Kiev Free app is one of them. It’s a primitive subway map that works offline on Android-based devices. For iPhones, there are similar apps, Kiev Metro and MetroKiev.
The underground operates daily from 05:30 a. m. until a bit over midnight. On May 26 it closes at 3 a.m.
Maps
Google Maps and Apple’s Maps seem to be convenient apps anywhere, including Kyiv.
They will show all the amenities around; bus stops and the bus numbers that go by and their schedule; landmarks and directions to get somewhere on foot or by public transport.
Do not rely on the timetables shown in Google Maps, though. They are not connected to buses through satellites, GPS, and can show that a bus is coming when it’s not. To track a bus or build precise routes, use EasyWay instead, a local alternative tailored for Ukraine.
Food
If hungry, go to a restaurant or cafe, which are plentiful in the city center. However, with so many tourists flocking to the center, there might be a problem with getting a spare table.
In such cases, the supermarkets with the gastronomy departments can help. There’s one near the Olimpiyskiy called Silpo in the Gulliver shopping mall, as well as one near the Bessarabsky market.
One can also order food through UberEats from restaurants and cafes, or through Zakaz.ua from supermarkets.
In Kyiv, it’s prohibited to drink alcohol on the streets, and it is sold only until 10 p. m. in supermarkets, but bars and restaurants are allowed to serve it round the clock.
Language
In case there’s a need to read signs on the streets or any other piece of Ukrainian or Russian text, use Google Translate. Download a Ukrainian or Russian language pack, open a camera through Google Translate, direct it at the text, and get a real-time translation on a smartphone’s display.
The Kyiv Post’s technology coverage is sponsored by Ciklum and NIX Solutions. The content is independent of the donors.
