Ukraine travel guide
Ukraine is the largest country entirely within Europe, with golden-domed churches in Kyiv, the coffee-house old town of Lviv, wooden churches in the Carpathian Mountains and a long Black Sea coast. The country has been at war since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, and many governments advise against travel; anyone considering a visit must check their government's current travel advice. This guide describes Ukraine's culture, history and landscapes respectfully, for readers planning now or in the future.
Places worth the trip
Kyiv
Saint Sophia's Cathedral, with 11th-century mosaics, and the cave monasteries of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra are both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The winding Andriivskyi Descent and the parks along the Dnipro river show the city's everyday side.
Lviv
A UNESCO-listed old town of Renaissance and Baroque buildings around Rynok Square, with an Armenian cathedral, a long tradition of coffee houses and chocolate makers, and a lively cultural life.
The Carpathian Mountains
Forested ranges in the west with hiking trails up Hoverla, Ukraine's highest mountain, waterfalls near Yaremche and the Hutsul highland culture, known for woodcarving, embroidery and the long trembita horn.
Wooden churches of the Carpathians
Wooden tserkvas, built by Orthodox and Greek Catholic communities, are found across the region, and several are inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage sites together with others in Poland.
Odesa
A historic Black Sea port with the Potemkin Stairs, an ornate opera and ballet theatre and a distinctive humour and culinary culture. The historic centre was added to UNESCO's World Heritage in Danger list in 2023.
Kamianets-Podilskyi
A medieval fortress on a rocky outcrop above a river canyon, joined to an old town that sits almost entirely on an island formed by a loop of the Smotrych river.
Chernivtsi
Known for its Austro-Hungarian architecture, including the former Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, now part of the university and a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Interesting facts about Ukraine
- Arsenalna station on the Kyiv metro is one of the deepest metro stations in the world, at roughly 105 metres below the surface.
- The culture of Ukrainian borscht cooking was inscribed on UNESCO's list of intangible heritage in need of urgent safeguarding in 2022.
- The Antonov An-225 Mriya, the largest aircraft ever built, was destroyed at Hostomel airfield near Kyiv in 2022.
- Hoverla, the highest mountain in Ukraine, rises to just over 2,000 metres in the Carpathians.
- Pysanky, decorated Easter eggs made with wax and dye, are a centuries-old Ukrainian folk art, with patterns that vary by region.
Best time to visit Ukraine
In normal times, late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September) are the most pleasant months for city visits and the Carpathians, with warm days and blooming chestnut trees in Kyiv. Summer is warm and was traditionally the season for the Black Sea coast. Winters are cold and snowy, with skiing in the Carpathians and Christmas traditions in Lviv. During the war, the security situation matters far more than the season; follow official advice and local alerts at all times.
Getting around
Ukrainian airspace has been closed to civilian flights since February 2022, so people entering the country have done so overland, mainly by train or bus from neighbouring countries. Ukrzaliznytsia, the national railway, has continued to run long-distance and overnight trains, including between Kyiv and Lviv, and tickets can sell out quickly. City metros, trams and buses operate, although services may pause during air-raid alerts, and curfews apply in many areas. Conditions change, so check locally before every journey.
Practical details
- Capital
- Kyiv
- Currency
- Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH)
- Languages
- Ukrainian
- Plug types
- C, F
- Voltage
- 230 V, 50 Hz
- Emergency
- 112 general, 101 fire, 102 police, 103 ambulance
- Driving side
- right
- Tipping
- Around 10 percent in restaurants and cafés is usual.
Staying online in Ukraine
Mobile networks have continued to operate in much of the country, with 4G in cities and along main routes, but coverage can be disrupted by attacks on infrastructure and by power outages, especially in areas near the front line, where service may be absent. Many cafés, shops and public places have generators or batteries and offer Wi-Fi during power cuts. Install an air-raid alert app and keep a power bank charged. If you are travelling, install an eSIM before you set off and switch it on when you cross the border, but do not rely on any single connection.
Ukraine eSIM plans
1 GB
1GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Ukraine, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited eSIM Data for 1 Day for Ukraine, V2
Unbegrenzt
Unlimited Plus eSIM Data for 1 Day for Ukraine, V2
3 GB
3GB eSIM Data for 3 Days for Ukraine, V2
Useful apps
- Air Alert (Povitryana Tryvoha): Official air-raid alert notifications by region, essential for anyone in Ukraine.
- Ukrzaliznytsia (UZ): Book and store tickets for the national railway's trains.
- Uklon and Bolt: Ride-hailing in Kyiv, Lviv and other cities.
- Google Translate: Ukrainian translation for signs, menus and conversations, with an offline pack.
Ukraine travel FAQs
Ukraine has been at war since February 2022, and most governments advise against all or some travel. Check your government's current travel advice and follow it; the situation can change quickly.
Mobile networks work in most cities and along main routes, though attacks and power cuts can cause outages. A travel eSIM can give you data where networks are up, but keep backups such as offline maps and a charged power bank.
Ukrainian is the official language and is used throughout public life. English is increasingly spoken by younger people in Kyiv and Lviv. Signs on transport often include Latin transliterations.
Borscht, varenyky (dumplings filled with potato, cheese or cherries), holubtsi (stuffed cabbage rolls), salo and syrnyky (cottage-cheese pancakes). Lviv is famous for its coffee and chocolate.