US to Ukraine Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2024)

Other FAQs about traveling in the Ukraine

• 1. When is the best time to travel to the Ukraine?

  Ukraine experiences four distinct seasons, each of which offers its own unique advantages. The hot and humid summer months (June to August) see scores of domestic tourists descend on beach resorts such as Odessa. As a result, the Black Sea adopts a happy-go-lucky party vibe, and the cities become mostly void of locals. Despite the high rainfall, summer is high season so you can expect to have to share the sites with plenty of other travelers. Be sure to check current Ukraine travel advisories before you go.

  Spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) are excellent times to visit, as the temperatures are much more manageable and the tourist crowds far thinner. The fall receives an abundance of rainfall while the spring is luscious and green. Ukrainian winters (December to February) are harsh; few travelers are foolhardy enough to visit at this frigid time of year. The seaside resorts shut down completely as they become enveloped in snow, before a smattering of ski resorts open up on their place.

• 2. What’s the weather like in the Ukraine?

  Ukraine has a continental climate that’s heavily influenced by the season. The average annual rainfall is 20 inches (500 milliliters), much of which falls in the summer months, although showers occasionally occur year-round.

  In Kyiv, the maximum average temperatures are as follows: summer 77 °F (25 °C), autumn 55.4 °F (13 °C), winter 24.8 °F (-4 °C), and spring 57.2 °F (14 °C). Note that these vary tremendously the closer you get to winter and summer.

• 3. What is there to do in Kyiv?

  From buzzing galleries to towering monuments and thumping electro clubs, there’s something for everyone in Ukraine’s eclectic capital. The first thing you’ll notice upon arriving is Rodina Mat, a giant statue of a sword-wielding warrior lady who represents the “Nation’s Mother.” Head to the base of the icon for a closer look then drop into the nationalistic Great Patriotic War Museum while you’re there.

  Magnificent churches and cathedrals constitute a major part of Kyiv’s touristic appeal. The most striking is the golden-domed St Michael’s Monastery, whose glistening copulas can be spotted a mile away.

  Other worthwhile religious edifices include: the sacred Kyevo-Pecherska Lavra with its intriguing catacombs; the Byzantine St Sophia’s Cathedral with its millennia-old mosaics and a climbable bell tower; and the blue baroque St Andrew’s Church built in a traditional Ukrainian style. Kyiv’s elegant subway system is the best way to get around the city, and the Arsenalna Metro Station is a destination in and of itself. At some 350 feet (105 meters) below the ground, it’s the deepest subway station in the world and takes a full five minutes on an escalator to reach.

  Back on the surface, the Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum provides insight into the famed disaster, while the Pinchuk Art Centre exhibits contemporary works from the hottest European names. Revolutions have long been held at the extensive Maidan Nezalezhnosti, which nowadays serves as an outdoor festival space for all kinds of events. Nearby, Khreshchatyk is a people-watching paradise packed full of high-end boutiques and glitzy cafes.

• 4. Where should you go in the Ukraine?

  Ukraine’s second city is the Austro-Hungarian influenced Lviv, whose grand Renaissance architecture evokes a sense of awe. Hilltop views from the ruins in High Castle Park provide a perfect panorama, although it’s worth wandering around the cobblestoned streets below for a closer look. Keep an eye out for the Rynok Square and the Lviv Opera House.

  With postcard-perfect beaches and glam café-lined thoroughfares, the beautiful port city of Odessa has long been a favorite European summer escape. Aside from soaking up the sun on the sand, travelers can admire its stunning 19th-century architecture: the Odessa Opera and Ballet Theater, the Potemkin Stairs, and the Primorsky Boulevard are a must. Bar hopping and nightclubbing in the ocean-facing Arcadia district is especially decadent during the heaving summer months.

  Few tourist attractions are as haunting as the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. Travelers follow a guide through the adjacent ghost town of Pripyat to understand just how quickly its inhabitants fled. Be sure not to venture too far from your guide, though, for they’ll constantly measure the radiation levels with a Geiger counter to ensure your chosen path is safe.

• 5. How to get around in the Ukraine?

  The train is the ideal method of transport for traversing long distances, though don’t come expecting the high-tech services of the West. Most Ukrainian trains are noisy and slow, yet they’re charming enough and provide excellent views of the countryside.

  Opt for a sleeper carriage on the longer journeys and book your tickets online to save time and hassle.

  An endless array of independent bus companies cover every town in the country, although many are unreliable and uncomfortable. If possible, opt for a VIP service on either of the two most reputable players: Gunsel and Autolux.

  Domestic air travel can be a chore as most flights connect in Kyiv. Nevertheless, Dniproavia, Motor Sich, Bravo Airways, and Ukraine International Airlines are all worth a look.