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Ukraine Currency - Hryvnia (UAH)
At present, Ukraine is almost exclusively a country where everything is paid in cash. Visa and MasterCard are accepted less frequently. Even if you see an appropriate sign, many times this option is not available. You will not find the name of American Express almost anywhere. The national currency of Ukraine is hryvnia. 1 hryvnia = 100 kopecks. 1 USD = 5.12 hryvnias. Do not change money in airports or railway stations. The exchange rates at those locations are small. It is desirable to use exchange offices with the sign "Foreign Exchange". Do not change the currency from individuals. Banks in Ukraine have work programs, usually, from 9:00 until 15:00, Monday through Friday. Most banks are closed Saturday and Sunday. There are a lot of bank branches in downtown Kiev, so it's easy access to ATMs, etc.. Among the most popular banks in Kiev are Pravex Bank, Private Bank, Downstream Bank and Raiffeisenbank.
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Immigration Card
At the frontier with Ukraine, will receive a so-called immigration card, which will be completed:
- The surname and last name, nationality, date of birth, passport number, purpose of travel (ie "business", "tourism", etc.), registration number of the vehicle, destination: the city, hotel, etc..
You will complete this information twice, both copies, a copy remains at the customs, and the other one on your own; you will have to show at the exit from Ukraine. Do not miss this copy! It is as important as a passport.
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Airports in Kiev and Customs
Boryspil International Airport is serving international flights and it is located at 30 km away from downtown. Zhuliany Airport is located 7 km away from the centre and takes mainly domestic flights. Save all the documents you receive and have to fill in at the customs - you need them to leave the country! From Zhuliany there is public transport (buses and trolley-buses) to the city. A taxi costs about 60 grivnas. It is preferable to take only taxis that have a license from the state. Otherwise you risk to pay the equivalent of $ 200 to the center. It's good to have a Russian dictionary. There are very few people who know an international language.
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Kiev's Subway
Kiev's subway is operational since 1960. Today it's got 3 lines, 55 km long and 42 stations; 8 km are close to the surface. The first line has been constructed in 11 years. Kiev's subway is renowned for its cleanliness and safety, as well as for architectural beauty and the stations. It is also very cheap. At Kiev, the subway is typical ex-Soviet with all lines crossing the city centre (Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or Independence Square) forming a triangle in the underground center. The old stations in the city centre were built like underground palaces in the Russian style, similar to those of Moscow. The network is almost entirely underground and very deep. Actually, the subway network in Kiev has some stations at the greatest depth of all the networks in the world. A ticket costs 50 kopecks (about 0.10 USD).
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The Funicular in Kiev
The famous funicular in Kiev was built during 1902-1905 and was opend to the public on 7 May 1905.
The construction valued about 230000 rubles and was designed by Arthur Abrahamson.
Because of its nearness to the Cathedral of St. Michael, it was nicknamed "the mechanical elevator of St. Michael."
After the cathedral was destroyed by the Soviet authorities in 1935-1936, its name was changed.
The two cabins are designated with Cyrillic letters: Λ (left) and П (right).
The funicular was renovated in 1928, 1958, 1984 and 2006.
The total length of the route is 238 meters.
Its inclination level is about 36%.
Travel time between the stations is approximately 3 minutes.
The route is from Mykhailivska Square until Poshtova Square.
The price for a ride is 50 kopecks.
The funicular connects the historic centre of Podil district, along the steepy hills of the Dnieper River.
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Surface Transport in Kiev
In Kiev you can save money by using public means of transport. Buses, trolleys and trams are extensively used. The cost of a ticket is 50 kopecks (about 0.10 USD). This is the same fare for buses, trams, trolley buses and subway. You can buy tickets from the station or directly from the vehicle. Public transport in Kiev operates from 6 am to 1 after midnight. Public bus services have, however, an unsafe program. The network of public trolley-bus lines and tram are punctual; however it is a rather old network. A unicque public transport in Kiev is the funicular, which climbs steeply over the banks of the Dnieper. Recently, there appeared on the streets of Kiev the minibuses, the so-called "marshrutkas". Today, a large network of minibus services is growing rapidly in Kiev, being available in every corner of the city.
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Taxis in Kiev
The taxi market in Kiev is in full development, but it is not adequately regulated, meaning it hasn't got equal rates per km. As in any big city in the world, you can easily use a taxi in Kiev. The taxis can be ordered by phone or on the street. If you want to order by phone, you can use these two numbers: 058 and 059. Typically, the accepted rate is about 1 hryvnia per km. A good alternative to a state taxi can be a private taxi. This may cost less, but it is better to negociate prior charges. Do not forget that drivers do not speak English or any other foreign language!
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The restaurants and tips in Kiev
You will not die of hunger in Kiev! Today, Kiev has hundreds of restaurants with various cuisines, comfort and style restaurants or traditional Ukrainian kitchen or: Italian, French, American, Japanese, Chinese, Caucasian, Russian cuisine. Do not miss the opportunity to taste traditional Ukrainian cuisine, with menus like varenik (pie with various food), the famous Ukrainian borsh (red or green soup) with pampushkis (soft fresh bread with garlic and sour cream) and other dishes. An alternative can be fast foods, which have recently appeared here. Tipping is not binding, but it is expected from you a tip between 5 and 10% of the total.
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Riding Cars in Kiev
In Ukraine, as on the rest of the continent, driving cars leads on the right side. Speed limit is 60 km / h in town, 90 km / h on national roads and 120 km / h on the freeway.
It is considered a criminal offence driving under the influence of alcohol.
Parking in Kiev is as difficult as any other large European city. For your safety park your car only in areas designated as such. A yellow sign, yellow paint on the asphalt or a red "X" means: "Do not park!". Parking places are located everywhere in Kiev and have different prices depending on their location in the city.
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