Ukraine

Travel tips for Ukraine: safety advisories, currency and cash vs. card, tap water, plugs, local phrases, food, and advice from travelers.

Cash and cards

Cards work almost everywhere. Recent volunteer and traveler reports confirm Ukraine is a highly digitized society where contactless cards are accepted almost everywhere, meaning you can easily go cashless for daily spending.

Try the food

Borscht (Борщ): A hearty, vibrant red beet soup typically served with a dollop of sour cream and garlic rolls.
Varenyky (Вареники): Half-moon shaped dumplings stuffed with savory or sweet fillings like potato, cabbage, meat, or cherries.
Chicken Kyiv (Котлета по-київськи): A breaded and fried chicken cutlet rolled around a core of cold garlic herb butter that melts when sliced.

Say it in Ukrainian

Hello: Добрий день (Dobryi den)
Thank you: Дякую (Diakuiu)
Please: Будь ласка (Bud laska)
Excuse me: Перепрошую (Pereproshuiu)
How much is this?: Скільки це коштує? (Skilky tse koshtuie?)
The bill please: Рахунок, будь ласка (Rakhunok, bud laska)
Yes / No: Так / Ні (Tak / Ni)
Goodbye: До побачення (Do pobachennia)

Essentials

Voltage: 230V, 50Hz
Driving: Right side
SIM tip: Pick up a prepaid SIM card from Kyivstar, Vodafone, or Lifecell at official stores or kiosks, or install an eSIM prior to arrival for immediate connectivity.

Etiquette

Tipping around 10% in restaurants and cafes is standard; you can often add it to the card terminal if you ask the server before they run the payment.