Lugansk Travel Forum

Hi All !
I am flying to Ukraine in August from USA. I will be flying in to Kiev. From there I am planning to fly to Dunedin and go to Lugansk. Can anybody tell me if that's possible or how should I do it. I have a few questions.

1. Once in Kiev how to fly to Lugansk and how much is the ticket.
2. How to buy a sim card for a mobile phone and how much does it cost.
3. Is english widely spoken in Lugansk or have to learn the language there.
4. Is Internet available easily, what about broadband and wirelss internet.
5. What to expect at customs at kiev.
6. What about buying a used car there and around how much is it.
7. If I want to bring my car from USA is it possible without paying duty.
8. How much is to rent a small bedroom. Being a student at a University there
9. How is the weather there.
10. How much is to make a call from there to USA and is it expensive or cheap.
11. USA to lugansk how much does the ticket cost overall.
12. Any other Information I need to know.

Any help will be appreciated.

I think you are extremely NAIVE. You worry about a phone call back to the States, yet you talk about taking your car over to Europe from the States. Did you expect to drive there? Do you know what it would cost to ship your car? You could sit on a phone all day for months for what it would cost to take your car. I think you are far from being ready to go overseas and study. Better do some study and planning first.

I just need information please. If you can HELP ?

Hi Friend,
As an Englishman living in Ukraine for the last year, I can answer most of your questions.
1) If you fly into Kiev International airport, next door to the terminal you will find the smaller domestic airport, for where you can catch a domestic flight to Lugansk. For timetables go to; http://www.aerosvit.ua/eng. Normally, flights within Ukraine cost around US$ 100 one way. You can decide whether to book a through flight to Lugansk or up to Kiev by checking with your local travel agent.
2)You can buy a sim card as soon as you come outside arrivals as you come out of the main customs area at the airport (left hand side). UMC is one of the local phone companies and they have a small office. I am sure the staff will set up your phone and assist with the settings. UMC website is: http://www.umc.ua/light/eng/foreign_visitors.php
3) English is not widely spoken and I can assure you that if you only speak English, you will struggle in the Country. Most people speak Russian and Ukraine. You will just have to be patient and use good old common sense. My suggestion is to try and find someone who does speak English between now and arriving in Ukraine. Starting to learn the local laungage is a must.
4) Internet is generally easily available depending upon where you are (availability of internet cafe, telephone connection at your house etc). You can buy internet cards or set up an account. You need someone local to help you on this. Setting up your phone with the local telephone provider will enable you to access the net. Wireless connection is available at the airport but sporadic throughout the Country.
5) No problems with the customs as long as you do not carry anything illegal. When you are arriving on the aircraft, you normally get a customs form which you fill out and there is a customs decleration in the baggage re-claim. Keep the white customs form as you need this when you leave the Country.
6) I would not conteplate buying a used car in Ukraine unless you know what you are buying and have a local friend to help you. I think there may also be issues in a foreign national buying a car and being able to legally register it in Ukraine. You can find out more about this when you get here.
7) I strongly suggest you forget about bringing a car unless you have 'loads of money'. Whilst in theory you can bring in a car on a temporary basis, I can assure you it will end up costing you lots of money clearing the car in Odessa and you will face long delays.
8) Renting property in Ukraine can be as cheap or as expensive as you want to make it. I do not know Lugansk however, I would image anything from US$ 200 per month upwards. Finding a local friend to help you will ensure you get the best possible deal.
9) Weather is very hot Summers and very cold winters. You should consider this when you are choosing your accomodation.
10) If you have a DSL internet connection and skype then your calls will be cheap. Using mobile phone cards will enable you to budget and manage your costs.
11) USA to Lugansk - check it out yourself
12) Tips: Worthwhile getting injections and teeth up to date. No International banks, but easy access to ATMS. Be careful carrying money. Western Union available in all Cities but can be expensive to receive funds.

Final tips: Find a good friend who speaks Russian/Ukraine and English to communicate with you to start off with if you dont speak Russian or Ukraine. Be patient and use common sense.
Good luck

I just want to add that mobile operator LIFE provides service "One World" activation of this service costs UAH 5 and you will have 100 min within month for UAH 1/min regardless of destination of call. USD 1 = UAH 5.05

Sir,

I thank you so much for taking your time and explain me in detail every question I asked. I was not expecting that much information. I am very grateful to you. I am so happy that there are still people like you who are nice and always helpful to others. I dont know how to thank you. Once again thanks for all the information. If I have any other questions I will post it here.

If you wish we can practise in Russian a little bit prior your Ukrainian visit.
Just give me a message what internet pager you have - ICQ,AIM,MSN etc?

I am going to study at Lugansk State Medical University, the medium of my course is in English. Before I get there should I learn Ukranian or Russian to get around. In Lugansk do people speak Ukranian or Russian. Any Information on that University or anybody from that University you know. Thanks for the help

To communicate with locals Russian would be better. As for univeristy itself: check this link http://lsmu.edu.ua/eng/maineng.htm - official website(EN version) of Lugansk State Medical University. Hope it will help you.
Best regards

I have looked their website more detailed, its on reconstruction and most of useful info available in RUS or UKR

Thanks, I found another web site in English which is working. LSMU.com If you can look at it and let me know if I will need anything else what we talked about. It looks like like living on the campus is better. But what about the stores around in Lugansk will I be able to shop around for everyday Items without knowing the language. And if english is spoken in the hospitals or not. I appreciate the time and help.

For everyday shopping better choose local supermarkets that will make it easier as the only thing that will be in Russian/Ukrainian - price :)
As for hospitals - I can hardly believe that someone speaks English there.

To answer some of your quesitons. I suggest buying your ticket to Kiev now and holding off on the purchase of a ticket from Kiev to Lugansk. Two reasons:
(1)much cheaper route and (2) if your flight should be cancelled, you will be able to exchange your ticket or get reimbursed much easier at the airport b/c they often say that if it was purchased in the US then you must be reimbursed in the US (which is not likely). Flights are regular and you will not have any problem finding the flight from Keiv to Lugansk.
Q2: With respect to your mobile phone, make sure that your USA mobile phone will be able to accept a european SIM card. Many times, the US market has place a block on foreign SIM cards in US phones. To fix this, go to a local mobile phone dealer and ask. They will most likely direct you to a mobile phone repair shop whereby they will discode the US blockage and will allow you to insert a european SIM card. Buying a SIM card in the Ukraine is very easy. As often as you are to seeing a Starbucks or McDonalds here in America, you will be able to find people that sell SIM cards there in the Ukraine. Cost is very cheap - Approximately $5.00 USD (or $25 hvn - pronounced grivna)
Q3: Russian is the spoken language as well as Ukrainine (which is a derivative of Russian). You will also find English speakers but not as frequent. I suggest contacting a few intrepretors prior to your US departure so that the first day, you are able to get by. Have them meet you at the Lugansk Airport. If you need a couple of contacts - let me know and I can give you some referrals.
Q4: Internet access is available via internet cafes which will run you about $2-$3 per hour USD. Asking some of the locals, you will be able to find an internet cafe.
Q5: Entry into Ukriane is not to be a problem. Exiting, I would suggest keeping a small amount of cash in your pocket with the bulk of your monies hidden away. That way, if you have to "pay off" a customs agent, you can say "this is all I have" $20.00 would be a good amount to pay off
Q6: Driving in the Ukraine is dangerous and you run the risk of being pulled over. Try the local transportation instead.
Q7: Bringing your car from USA to Lugansk? I am not sure about this (outside my boundaries of advise)
Q8: Rent is not clear for me either. Vacationing there for 3 weeks, I paid about $65 per night but that was for vacationing purpose - not to live there for a period of months - like you are about to do.
Q9: Weather there is similar to San Francisco Area weather (since that is where I am from). Our Summers match their summers as do our winters.
Q10: Three ways to call from Ukraine to USA: (a) a mobile phone housed in the Ukraine (not sure of the expense) (b) a mobile phone housed in the USA (very expensive to be in the Ukraine and then to call USA) and (c) go to a phone office in the Ukriane and call USA (this cost was not that expensive and the cost I had forgotten)
Q11: My ticket cost $800 for round trip from NYC to Kiev. From Kiev to Lugansk, I would anticipate a figure of $120 (but purchase this while you are in Kiev, you will find it cheaper).

Other suggestions. When hitching a taxi, speak Russian. If you do not speak Russian, then have someone that does negotiate the cost. As an American, the cost can double vs a natives cost.

Take a Russian course to learn some basics. If you go to a community college (perhaps the cheapest route). At least you will be familiar with their alphabet, counting and greetings (ie hello, thank you, please and paka paka = bye bye).

Gary
Gary_cruff@yahoo.com

Thanks so much for your time and help.

Hello:
I hope I can help you with a few suggestions.
1) try www.aerosvit.com/eng and also www.kiyavia.com for flights to Luhansk.
Aerosvit should be around $100.00 each way, but will charge you extra if you need the paper ticket in the US before you leave. kiyavia around $50.00 each way, but you need to purchase your ticket the at Borispol Airport where they have a office. (keep your most valued items in your carry on, do not depart with them!)
2) Make sure your cell phone is UNLOCKED. Then you can add any SIM card and it will work in any country. SIM cards are very easy to find anywhere and reasonable. $5-25.00.
3) Little English is spoken in Luhansk. You will need to learn some Russian. If you are at a university now, and can take a Russian course, excellent. Otherwise some books that are good are: "Russian Phrasebook" from Lonely Planet,$8.00 "Passport to Russian" from Charles Berlitz,$8.00 "Russian Vocabulary" from Barron's, $7.00 Also a CD "Russian,linkword" from Unforgettable Languages. Around $25-30.00 order online.
4) IDK
5) Customs is no problem, just be patient. Declare what your bring in, keep the white card you will need it when you leave, be prepared for a "gratuity" to the customs officer, if needed. Wear cargo style pants, keep your money divided in each pocket, make sure your back pockets have a button or velcro closure. Exchange some of your money into UAH, past the double doors to your right after you are exiting customs.
6) I really don't know, the problem would be how to legally register the car there, and having a car might end up being far more expensive than public transportation.
7) I assume bringing your own car in will be far too expensive. Then also remember you will need repairs also. Can a Russian mechanic find American parts? At what cost? Think he will "gurantee" his work?
8) I think maybe $250-300 per month for a apartment. I would lean to the higher. Contact my friend aka "HunterV" here at VT. He can help you immensly, also a English teacher there in Luhansk.
9) Weather, cold in winter, can get quite hot in summer. Air conditioning is a luxuary. You apartment will not have air conditioning nor do many places of business.
10) IDK
11) Cheapest flights from JFK are Aerosvit and Delta, both non stops. Easy flights. Probably around $7-800 US round trip, considering the time of year you wish to travel. If you want multiple layovers you may find a little cheaper but isn't really worth the hassle in my opinion.
12) Learn Russian. If your gonna be there awhile, you can't live without knowing it. It will be more fun, and you will find the people very patient even if you don't speak their language perfectly. Most are very friendly and will want to learn more about you. Have a good trip and enjoy your stay. Contact "HunterV" here at VT.

I will be going to Lugansk for the 10th time this spring. All the advice given is spot on. Rent will depend on the quality of flat you want. $200-300 a month is for a good flat, but if you want it recently modernized to western standards, and bigger than average, then it will be a little more. Good advice given about knowing someone there who speaks language and can help you find flat without being taken. Look for flat close to the medical university as it will be easier just to walk to school, instead of taking the crowded busses etc. Get use to riding public transportation such as busses as that is the norm. Don't even think of driving in Lugansk without first knowing the laws, language, learning the driving habits of the people, getting license, etc.

It is easy to learn Russian there. Since you are at the university, I'm sure there are courses that will teach your Russian. If not, some of the advanced Ukrainian students learning english for teaching at the other Universities will be glad to teach you Russian for a fee which will not be too high. Plus it's a good way to interact with fellow Ukrainian students and make more friends.

It's up to you to adapt to Lugansk, not the other way around.

Hi, I'm sitting in Lugansk right now and I can answer most of your questions. Of course this was posted in February so you may have already been here.