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VISA & CUSTOMS FOR UKRAINE
Travel to Ukraine has become easier than ever. European Union, United States and Canadian citizens no longer need a Visa.
It is not advisable to bring expensive gifts into Ukraine.
If you bring jewelry or another type of an expensive gift you may be asked to pay a customs duty which in some cases equates to the price of the gift.
It is better to do these purchases in Ukraine, particularly Odessa, where these items are likely to be less expensive.
Legally, you are allowed to bring up to $10,000 in cash and up to $50,000 in checks.
If your cash amount exceeds $1,000 you will need to declare it at the customs.
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CURRENCY IN UKRAINE
The Ukrainian Hryvnia is the currency in Ukraine (UAH). The Ukrainian Hryvnia is divided into 100 kopeiykas.
In May 2009 the exchange rate was as it follows:
$1 = 8,05 UAH
1 Euro = 12,30 UAH
Prices in Odessa (Odesa) are generally quoted in Hrivnia - the local currency. However, dollars are occasionally accepted and used for pricing. Currency in Odessa and the rest of Ukraine can be freely converted at banks, hotels or exchange houses, specifically for tourists. Deribasovskaya Street on its own has more than ten Odessa currency exchange services. ATM machines can be found all over Odessa, Ukraine.
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TAXIS IN ODESSA
Taxi is comparatively cheap for Russian speaking passengers in Odessa (the major language in this part of Ukraine).
Taxi fees are usually negotiated with the driver ahead of departure. Taxi is very affordable in Odessa.
A five-minute ride should not cost more than $1 or $2. The ride across the city would cost you around $4.
Most official cabs are yellow and could be identified by a checker sign. When getting into a cab, make sure that your driver turns on the meter or negotiate a fare price in advance.
All Ukrainians and most foreigners in Odessa do so and it is generally considered safe.
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ODESSA GROUND TRANSPORT
Odessa is officially divided into 4 districts, but the city’s inhabitants use many more names to designate parts of the city: Moldovanka, Slobodka, Peresip, Poskot and many many others. There is no subway in Odessa, but all forms of ground transportation exist.
Ground transportation in Odessa consists of buses, minibuses, trolleybuses, which are basically electric buses that use suspended wires for electricity and trams that move on rails.
If you use ground transportation, make sure that you ask for the directions first and then look for your number bus.
You can purchase bus tickets that come in sheets of ten at news stands or right form the bus driver. They are very cheap, 5 Hryvnias (around $1) a sheet.
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ODESSA: WORKING HOURS, LOCAL HOUR
Working Hours
Institutions, museums and stores have different varied hours of operation. Government offices tend to be closed on Saturdays and Sundays. Post offices are closed on Sundays.
Many stores and offices are open from 9 - 10 am to 4 - 5 pm and close for lunch for one hour around 2 pm. Posted work hours are often misleading because employees often will want to close 15 minutes earlier.
Local Hour
Ukrainians use 'military time' (for example, 13:00 instead of 1 pm) when writing time Ukraine is GMT + 3.
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PUBLIC TOILLETS IN ODESSA
Public toillets are very rare in Ukraine. Ask for "toillet", which is the same word in Russian as in English. Public toillets have a sign with "M" for men and "Ж" for women. The cost for attended public toillets is usually less than 1 hryvna. These toillets are always in Turkish style. Unattended public toillets are usually unpleasant.
Along Odessa beaches, public toillets are usually free.
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THE FUNICULARS OF ODESSA
To the right from the Potemkin Steps there is a renovated funicular which can bring you down and up.
The funicular railway which runs from the port up to the city is a free service, which is great if you don't want to walk up the steps again.
It runs free, daily from 8:00 to 23:00.
But this is not the only one here in Odessa.
You'll find another at the Otrada Beach.
All these add to the city's charm.
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HOW AND WHAT TO ASK WHEN DINING IN ODESSA
There are a few things to keep in mind in the Ukrainian restaurants
A client must ask for check in a restaurant, waiters tend not to check back with client once food is delivered.
In restaurants, it is expected from foreigners to tip 10%. Ukrainians themselves tend to tip significantly less.
Many items are often on the menu but not all of them available offseason.
Since the fall of the Soviet Russia, the number of resturaunts has increased a hundred fold, even though the average Ukranian can rarely afford a restaraunt.
Many nightclubs and hotels also have their own resaturants.
First, dishes, usually meat may be priced and measured in grams. The simple way to avoid a nasty surprise is to specify
that you want one portion only or an approproximate number in grams.
Second, cocktails are new to Ukraine. There’s rarely a standard alcohol or size, and neither a standard price for a gin-tonic, rum, whisky or any mixed drink or multiple liqueur cocktail. There’s also no such thing as a “bar whisky” - a reasonable, non premium brand to be used in all drinks requiring whiskey unless you stipulate otherwise.
The result: prices for something as simple as a vodka-tonic can vary wildly – even in the same bar and even on the same night. It all depends on who’s taking the order and who’s pouring it.
Third, bread given out in many restaurants is not complimentary.
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FAST FOOD IN ODESSA
The people of Odessa are very good - natured and practical, so if you have overestimated your capabilities and were not able to eat up everything, the restaurant staff will be happy to pack up the left over delicacies, so you may take them home.
A popular place where most busy people like to relax and have a snack is Snack Bar Chain 'Top Sandwich''.
A visit to one of this cafes will cost you 6 to 20 hryvnas (it is around $4). Service is quick (about 7 minutes) and a variety of snacks are on the menu, from sandwiches to kebabs. You can enjoy of cup of coffee here and can order light salade.
Of course, there's always Mc Donald's!
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WHAT AND WHERE TO BUY IN ODESSA
Bazaars
Odessa's bazaars offer the visitor an eclectic mix of trinkets and souvenirs. The quality can vary greatly so always inspect the items closely. Prices in stores are fixed, but some minor haggling over the price in souvenir bazaars is possible, especially if buying more than one of an item. All Odessa businesses have a no refund policy. Some stores and vendors will exchange items.
Paintings
A wide variety of paintings for any person's tastes are displayed in Deribasovskaya Park. A visitor may have to have the art examined by an official before leaving the country. Soviet era pins A small piece of Soviet History, prices are very reasonable for these small works of art.
Embroidery
Odessa is famous for its very high quality hand-woven embroidery.
Matryoshka Dolls
Matryoshka dolls have many different themes other than the traditional painted maiden. There are matryoshka dolls with past leaders of the Soviet Union, American Basketball stars, pop stars, the Beatles. One set of matryoshka dolls had all of the participants in the Clinton/Monica Lewinsky scandal, Bill Clinton, Monica, Kenneth Star, and the smallest matryoshka doll was a cigarette.
Pirated CD's
Pirated CD's are available in the Grecheskaya Square (Греческая Площадь). Any PC and music CD is available here, including compilations of every song an artist or group has ever made.
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SPORTS IN ODESSA
From Paint Ball, Bowling, Go-Carts, Scuba Diving to Water-Skiing...Odessa has a wide variety of sport activities:
Billiard
Bowling
Bungy Jumping
Go-carts
Hot Air Balloons
Ice Skating
Paint Ball
Parachuting
Scuba Diving
Skateboard Park
Sky Diving
Swimming Pools
Table Tennis
Tennis
Water Ski Rental
Acqua Park
Video Arcade/Video Games
Yacht Rental/Charter Club
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GENERAL CONSULATE OF ROMANIA IN ODESSA
The General Consulate of Romania in Odessa - Ukraine
Address: 31, Bazarna, Odessa, 65011, Ukraine
Phone: +38.048.725.03.99; +38.048.724.05.32; +38.048.222.34.75 Fax: +3.8.048.722.09.28;
Public Program
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday: 9.30 - 13.00, Wednesday is not working with the public, Friday: 9.30 - 13.00
Area of jurisdiction
Odessa, Nikolaev, R.A. Crimea, Herson, Kirovograd
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POLICE IN ODESSA
Police Sections in downtown Odessa (Милиция, Полиция)
12 Evreyskaya Street (Еврейская), 14 Evreyskaya Street (Еврейская), 42 Grecheskaya Street (Греческая), 101B Kanatnaya Street (Канатная), 23 Osipova Street (Осипова), 44 Preobrazhenskaya Street (Преображенская).
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