Zhytomyrs'ka Oblast' Travel Forum

Hello,

I have never been out of the USA and am planning a trip to the Ukraine and will be arriving in Kiev (Kyjiv) Borispol Airport. I will take this trip in September around my birthday. I am planning on staying at the Hyatt Regency Kiev. I am going to also go to Zhytomyrs'ka (Zytomyr) city.

How do I get from the airport to the Hyatt Regency? Then, how do I get from the Hyatt Regency to Zhytomyrs'ka (Zytomyr) city? What is the safest method of travel?

I noticed travelocity gave the Hyatt Regency a 5 star rating. I would like to know what your opinions of the hotel are?

I also would like to take a day or two and just look at the earth's natural beauty. To go on a walk, hike, or something similar. Are there any tours or anything like that available? To me, seeing the earth's natural beauty is what I look forward to the most.

I will be learning to speak Russian over the summer (May-Aug) so I hopefully won't be so lost.

Is there any other advice you could also give a first time traveler?

Thank you so much!
Connie W
Known to my family and friends since I was young as half-pint. Even though I'm 37 years old, I am still called half-pint by them. A nickname that stuck.

I couldn't find the information on how and if you can edit your post, so I am replying.

I was told by a local travel agent here to learn Russian. Is that the language I should learn before going there?

I can't tell you how to get around Kiev or Zhytomyrs'ka, but being Russian myself, i can tell you that learning Russian will be your best bet. All Ukranians know Russian, it is a requirement in school, and in some parts of Ukraine, locals even speak Russian better than Ukranian.

From the airpot, you take a cab for $30 to Hyatt. The hotel is new and nice. Zhytomyrs'ka is not a city but oblast (region). Zhytomyr is the central city of the Zhytomyrs'ka oblast, so it's important to know where you're going. A cab there from the hotel would be around $60, maybe more. If you're looking for other means of transportation (which I doubt), you can go to my Zhytomyr page and take a look. Russian is ok. There's lots of natural beauty in the Zhytomyr region.

Thank you so much for the fast replies. I did mean the city Zytomyr. I think a cab would be my best bet. It also sounds like the hotel is the right one for me.

I didn't realize everything that goes into planning a trip out of the USA. I'm learning and am grateful that I'm starting this early.

What currency do you need in Kiev and Zytomyr? I was told Russian currency, but I wanted to be sure. I will be learning about the currency also over the summer.

As you can tell, I have a lot to learn before I go.

I liked your page that you directed me to!

Ukraine has its own currency. There is plenty of practical information available on the internet, e.g. http://www.ukraine-arabia.ae/travel/practical_information/

Maybe useful links:

Kiev (Boryspil) airport with lots of info and links to websites:
www.kbp.kiev.ua

Trains:
www.poezda.net

The gryvna is the currency. Around 5 gr= 1 USD, 7 gr = 1 Euro
ATMs abundant, also on the airport when arriving.

Hi I visited Kiev alone and a little tip is yes learn as much Russian as you can.
However many places speak English.

Take US dollars they are exchanged everywhere.
Don't take travellers cheques,I had a lot of problems as many banks don't accept them
As you arrive in the airport you will be approached by many taxi drivers
Agreed the going rate is around $30.
Good luck it's a lovely place to visit

Thank you all so much! I am finding out some very interesting things that I needed to know.

Thank you for the links! They were very helpful! I didn't realize the differences when going through customs. The less you have on you the better. There is a lot of helpful information on the sites!

I will learn as much Russian as I can. I am taking a few courses over the summer.

With the ATM's does it matter if you have a regular USA credit card or do you need to get an international credit card. I have seen these offered by some companies here in the USA but not sure if they are really needed. I understand there will be additional fees involved when using the ATM's abroad, but that's alright with me.

You can catch the bus to the central railway station from the airport for just under 5 dollars each way. You will see the big bus outside the airport it will have Vokzalna written in the from window and sides.

If you go to Metro Station Zhytomyrska in Kiev, then outside you will se many mini buses line up in a long row - located just outside the shopping complex. There you will be able to catch a mini bus to Zhytomyr for 5 dollars each way. Takes about two and a half hours, sometimes more. Make sure you reserve your seat by getting there early and just getting onboard, or you will be stood up in a small space for a long time.

Ukrainian is the national language of Ukraine. It is taught in schools and all legal business paperwork should be conducted in Ukrainian. Although Russian would be easier to learn, as most people in Kiev Speak Russian than Ukrainian. When the children go home after school, they will speak Russian to their parents! Western Ukraine is the place to be for real Ukrainian language.... music to my ears :)

Yes, staying at the Hyatt for at least EUR 460 per night, don't forget to save $20 on the cab from the airport to the hotel, and $50 on the trip to Zhytomyr.

Where in Zhytomyr can you catch a train if possible back to Kiev? I also don't mind paying for a taxi, but want to know the safest means of travel.

I want to spend a day hiking/walking taking in the nature. I'm not sure of the best way to do this and make it back to Kiev safely. Any suggestions?

The issue you may have will be the language barrier. The advice you have from here is already good advice. Do not use a taxi service alone, unless you are with someone.

The bus outside the airport is easy to find and so are the minibuses at Zhytomyr Metro station - which is in Kiev on the red line, which links to Vokzalna Metro Station - situated just the other side of the railway line where the bus drops you off. As I said the language barrier is the biggest problem. Maybe a good idea would be to meet someone online who you can phone for translation purposes while in Kiev. The metro is only 10c us, 50k ua each trip.

TpeBop, would you please stop portraying Kyiv and Ukraine as a banana republic. There is absolutely no harm possible in taking a cab from the airport to Hyatt and from Hyatt to Zhytomyr. If you're paranoid, that's your own problem, don't scare off reasonable people who would like to visit us here.

Thank you all so much for all your help!!

I have discovered that the majority of the time will be spent in the Zhytomyr area. It would save a lot of travel time to stay somewhere in the area in or close to Zhytomyr rather than having to travel between there and Kiev.

A friend suggested looking into apartments in the area. I have no idea where to even begin to look. Anyone know where to look for apartments? I also noticed there is a hotel in Zhytomyr. I was told to rent a suite since they are closer to what we have here. Does anyone have any information about this hotel? Would an apartment be better if I could find one? Any suggestions or help in finding an apartment?

Has anyone ever used besthotelsukraine.com service? I came across their website and liked what I have seen, but I would like any advice about the company or experiences anyone has had with them?

Pikine, Sorry if I upset you. I didn't mean to sound the way I portray myself.

Ukraine is my second home. I have spent a long time in Kiev and have many friends there. 4 times last year !

Ukraine can be a daunting place for a Westerner that has never travelled there, due to culture shock and language barrier. It takes time to adjust for many. imho - I think.

Once again, I am sorry :)

For someone who has never travelled outside his/her country, any other place in this world will be a culture shock.

I agree with you, but some countries are more of a culture shock than others for a westerner - I think.

Let's try and get this thread back to the topic and help 'Half-pint'.

I once took a taxi back to the airport and got stopped half a mile from the airport by the Police. The taxi driver did not have legal documentation for his car and I had to walk the rest of the way through the avenue of trees to Boryspil Airport! Luckily I only had a small rucksack with me. This was supposed to be a legitimate taxi driver.

I would of taken the bus, but there was a crash near my apartment and I could not take the trolley bus to the metro to connect to the Bus - so I had to take a taxi off the street.

That was lucky you only had a small rucksack with you at the time!

I have learned about 20 phrases in Russian so far. I can understand and speak them, but not read and write them. I will be learning more over the summer.

I do think hiring a translator would be a smart thing to do. I have no idea on how to do this so I will have to research it online. I'm also not that familiar with trolley buses and metro buses. So a translator would definitely help.

Currently, I live in a small town with a population of 28,000. I grew up in the country near an even smaller town with a population of 3,500. I have been to larger cities like Albuquerque, NM and Las Vegas, NV but only for short visits. I have relatives in Albuquerque; and I wanted to see the Hoover Dam so I went there. I posted some pictures of the Dam and a few other things I seen while there.

I believe visiting another country for the first time will be a culture shock. I'm looking forward to it and nervous about the trip all at the same time. The biggest concerns I have right now are staying safe and being able to get around. A smaller concern would be the time change. There is a 7 hour difference between here and there. Right now it's 2:13 p.m. (14:13) and there it's 7:13 p.m. (19:13).

I do appreciate everyone's help! Thank you again!

I made a mistake. The time should be 2:13 p.m. (14:13) here and there 9:13 p.m. (21:13).

A good idea would be to take a good russian phrase book. It takes a long time to learn any slavic language. I can talk more Ukrainian than Russian as I spent more time living in Ternopil, western Ukraine. Pity I am not in Ukraine this summer, or I would of helped you. I will be a little further east in Uzbekistan. I know all the difficulties you will face. As long as you have good common sense you will be over half way there.

There are good people who live in Ukraine who visit this website. Maybe you could become friends with them. A good person to contact would be Larissa. She can sort out good accomodation for you. She is a regular here. Her username is 'larissa' with 3 letter s's. She has booked me some nice apartments in the past.

Good luck :)

Constance, I have emailed you some information. The answer to your journey to Kiev!

Thank you so much!

I'm taking a few Russian phrase books along with me. I'm learning the language slowly, but am learning and will continue to learn even after my trip has ended.