How to safely visit and travel in Ukraine?
After Russia's full-scale attack on Ukraine on February 24, 2022, the whole world started talking about Ukraine. Events in Ukraine and brutal war footage flooded foreign newspapers and the media. Today Ukraine is going through difficult times. The situation in Ukraine is not stable and changes from time to time. However, if you need to come to Ukraine either on business, on a working visit, or to visit friends, relatives, we recommend that you follow a few simple rules to make your stay in Ukraine peaceful and safe.
Border crossing
First of all, remember the documents and visa. Crossing the border of Ukraine is carried out on the basis of a foreign passport. ID-card does not give a right to enter (except for citizens of Turkey and Georgia). Regarding visas, you can check whether visa exemptions are effective between your country and Ukraine on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. You also need to have sufficient financial security and confirmation of the purpose of your visit (hotel booking, work invitation, etc.) to cross the border.
Before entering Ukraine, you can get acquainted in advance with the jams at border checkpoints or use online cameras from the State Border Guard Service.
We also advise you to take care of your health insurance during the trip. You can buy an insurance policy in one click on the Visit Ukraine website.
Traveling within Ukraine
Remember that in some parts of the country there is fighting, almost all of Ukraine is under rocket fire. So do not ignore the safety rules.
Go to relatively safe cities in Ukraine. Do not go to cities where active hostilities are taking place. Today the safe cities are: Lviv, Ternopil, Ivano-Frankivsk, Uzhhorod, Chernivtsi. Kyiv is returning to normal life, but sometimes there is a threat of missile attacks. Most of them are shot down by air defense, but compliance with the rules of conduct in case of air raid alert is strongly recommended. Sirens are usually heard right in the city. For tracking, we recommend using the Air Alert App or online maps of air alerts throughout Ukraine. Also pay attention to notifications from Google - the service automatically sends alerts in the event of a threat in your area. After fixing the air alarm, go down to the shelter if possible. If there is no shelter nearby, use the "two walls" rule.
Do not endanger yourself knowingly: do not go outside during curfew or air alarm. The curfew schedule in the regions can be seen on the Visit Ukraine website in the "Curfew" section.
Do not pick up suspicious objects. If you find toys, mobile phones and other things or objects on the street, it is strictly forbidden to pick them up or carry them. These can be disguised explosive devices. In case of a dangerous finding, call 101 or report to the STOP Russian War chatbot.
Do not photograph or videotape checkpoints, military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the movement of military equipment. With this behavior, you may be perceived as a fire adjuster or saboteur. When checking at checkpoints, always carry documents, turn off the headlights and turn on the emergency. It is forbidden to get out of the car without the permission of the military.
Transport
Currently, the safest transport in Ukraine is rail. Tickets can be purchased on the website of Ukrzaliznytsia. Ukraine has also resumed bus services, and bookings for various carriers are available on the Busfor aggregator. If you decide to use a car, remember about car insurance - at least have a green card for the car. Also there is a problem of fuel lack in Ukraine now, so it is better to fully refuel the car before entering Ukraine. The availability of fuel in Ukraine can be tracked on a special service. As for taxis, Uber and Uklon have resumed work in most cities.
Remember that many territories of Ukraine are mined. The SES has created a demining map.
Housing
Hotels and the most popular accommodation booking services such as Booking.com or Airbnb continue to operate in Ukraine. Do not trust untested rental offers.
Personal security
Carry and keep your documents with you. Under no circumstances should you give your documents to other people. However, in cases where it is necessary, your documents can be checked by law enforcement officers.
Do not engage in dialogues with suspicious people and do not accept their offers.
Constantly monitor the charge level of your mobile phone and other gadgets. The phone, tablet, laptop, power bank, flashlight, etc. must always be charged.
In case of violation of your rights, seek help only from official bodies (by phone 102 or 112, government hotline 1545), people with insignia (uniforms, badges, special vests) of government officials: police, rescuers, medics, social workers, representatives of specialized public organizations. In addition, you can contact the consulate or embassy of your country in the city where you are located to resolve other issues.
Adherence to the above instructions will allow you to protect yourself while on the territory of Ukraine.
Welcome to Ukraine and take care of yourself!
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The simultaneous stay of visitors in the hotel lobby not more than one person per 10 square meters of serviceable area is allowed.
Persons can visit hotels and stay there (outside hotel room) only if they wear respirator or face mask (including homemade mask), so that the nose and mouth are covered.
Hotel guests are obliged to keep the 1.5 meters distance.
Online check-in making in advance is recommended to avoid queues at check-in to hotel.
Meals in hotels are provided through meals delivery service to rooms upon prior order or at hotel restaurants situated inside or in open areas, provided the distance of at least 1.5 meters between seats at adjacent tables.
Not more than 4 clients are allowed to stay at the table (excluding children under 14 years old). Unless these tables are separated by a special partition;
Self-serve is not allowed.