Ukraine Travel Answers

Hi ;-)

Always take your passport with you in a safe place. That's the basic rule for travel.

Max ;-)

Must carry a passport when you travel, but a photocopy is acceptable when you do not carry the passport in case of emergency. The claim that the original is in the hotel safe goes well with the police. If they want the real document, they will take you to the hotel to get it. That's when you are in big trouble, but I always just carry a photocopy when staying abroad.

cheers tommy x

Thanks. I always worry about losing my original passport while i'm carrying it around abroad. Ideally, i'd rather carry a photocopy around with me if that will suffice.

In all my years of travelling in Ukraine,I have never been asked for my passport,though a copy was required when purchasing train tickets.They apparently have re-introduced this system now.If you're worried I suggest to take a copy.

Legally speaking, you need to have ID on you in any country you travel, even your own. As you do not have a Ukrainian driver's license or national card, the only valid ID will be your passport.

That said, carrying the original is not a good idea. If you can get a notarized/certified copy from your embassy/government agency before you go, that copy will be fine. While a regular copy is more or less fine, it could make a non-problematic situation slightly more complicated if you're stopped.

Hi ;-)

"Legally speaking", well, depends of the country, no universal rules.

Most of government and embassy will refuse to bother to notarize such a document, a copy of passport, and anyway the entrance stamp will be on another page, and not present before arriving. So, original is the onliest option.

Max ;-)

Any country that issues a national ID will require people to carry one. Ukraine included.

@Fluffy_bunny

No, no, it depends of country. No global rules, even inside EU. But as a foreigner it is always better to keep passport in pocket, except in very dangerous countries. In Ukraina keep original of passport on you.

I have never carried my passport with me when I have been in Ukraine, I like to know that it is safe in the hotel safe. I have been to Ukraine 3 times now and been to different cities. I have never been asked to produce my passport. If you would prefer to be prepared then take a photocopy in your wallet. Pick pocketing can be quite common in some areas of Ukraine so personally I would not take my original passport with me incase it gets stolen.

Obviously you will need your original passport to check into a hotel, hire a car and most importantly gain access to the country.

No problem, a photocopy will do, relax and have a good time!

If you need to exchange money you will need your passport as they will make a copy.

I have never been asked for my passport when changing money in Ukraine.
However my wife's family tell me that a lot of the money changing kiosks ar being closed and people are being forced to go to the bank. It is possible that in the bank you will need your passport.
I have never been into a bank to change money,as the kiosks rates were better and no commission was charged,but that now may have changes.

I was surprised about being asked, might be something new.I read they were trying to close some of the kiosk but didn't notice. Went to Bukovel then back to Kyiv two weeks ago and used the same places I always use to change money.