Money:
The official currency is the Hryvnia (UAH), which is divided
into 100 kopecks. Banks are usually open Monday to Friday until
3pm, and readily exchange Hryvnia for hard currency (banknotes
only). US dollars and Euros are exchanged easily at banks and
currency offices, and while other currencies can also be exchanged,
they are not as widely accepted. ATMs are widely available in all
major cities. Travellers cheques are not widely accepted and
attract high commission rates and lengthy paperwork. Major
restaurants, shops and hotels accept Visa, MasterCard and EuroCard;
however credit cards are not widely accepted, particularly in
remote areas and smaller establishments. Outside the main cities it
is advisable to carry a supply of local currency.
Time:
Local time in Ukraine is GMT +2 (GMT +3 between March and
October).
Electricity:
Electrical current in Ukraine is 220 volts AC, 50Hz.
Plugs are round pin attachment variety with two pins.
Language:
Ukrainian is the official language, but Russian is also
widely spoken.
Health:
Immunisation against diphtheria, hepatitis A, tick-borne
encephalitis and rabies should be considered before travel to the
Ukraine. Typhoid vaccinations are recommended for long-term
travellers who might eat outside of major hotels and restaurants.
Tap water is best avoided, or treated by boiling or with chemicals.
Bird flu has been confirmed in parts of Crimea, but no human
infections have been reported. Travellers are not at risk, but
close contact with domestic, caged and wild birds should be
avoided, and all poultry and egg dishes well cooked as a
precaution. HIV is widespread and the level of sexually transmitted
diseases is high. Due to the risk of exposure to pollutants and
radioactive materials, swimming in the Dnieper River should be
avoided. Comprehensive medical insurance is advised, and visitors
are advised to bring a supply of personal medication.
Tipping:
Tipping is fairly new in the Ukraine and expected in
restaurants, usually 5-10% of the bill. In more upmarket
establishments 10% is more the norm if not already included in the
bill. Drivers are not usually tipped.
Safety:
Most visits are trouble-free, and there are no travel warnings
in place for Ukraine. Foreigners are lucrative targets for petty
theft and street crime in the Ukraine, and valuables should be kept
out of sight, especially in crowded areas and at tourist spots.
Particular care should be taken on public transport and overnight
trains.
Customs:
Homosexuality is legal and generally tolerated in the
Ukraine.
Business:
Ukraine
,because of a troubled recent history, is trapped
in many paradoxical laws and business is observed quite differently
than in the west. However, after the country's break from Soviet
ties, there are unprecedented opportunities for the entrepreneur,
but not many people speak English and the use of interpreters may
be necessary; knowledge of German, Russian or Ukrainian will be
useful. During meetings formal attire is observed for both men and
women, although women are not traditionally part of the business
world, and visiting businesswomen will undoubtedly be subjected to
chauvanism. Meetings often include informalities and sociable
questions, and will begin with a welcoming alcoholic drink, which
would be considered rude to refuse. These are often used for
character evaluation and it is considered impolite to delve
straight into business matters. Typical business hours are 9am to
5pm Monday to Friday.
Duty Free:
Travellers to the Ukraine can bring in 200 cigarettes or 50
cigars or 250g of tobacco products; 1 litre of spirits and 2 litres
of wine; and goods for personal use, as well as goods with a total
value of EUR200, without incurring customs duty. Prohibited items
include items that can have an impact on the environment, and
agricultural goods and live animals.
Communications:
The international dialling code for the Ukraine is +380. The
outgoing code is 810 followed by the relevant country code (e.g.
81044 for the United Kingdom); wait for a second dial tone after
dialling 8, followed by 10. International Direct Dialling is
available in most cities. Internal dialling is used; the code for
Kiev is (8)44. The GSM 900/1800 network coverage is fairly
widespread, but international roaming is fairly expensive. There
are Internet cafes available in Kiev, and other main cities.