Your Best Travel Guide to Ukraine 09:54 | 19.03.2024 Choose your language УкраїнськаEnglishРусскийPolskaDeutschItalianoFrançaiseEspañol
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City transport Transportation
Ukraine's public transportation
Ukraine's public transportation

The backbone of Ukraine's public transportation: buses, trams and trolleybuses (electrically driven). There's no better way to get to know this country and it's people than to take a ride like the locals do. :^ ) Public transportation is quite developed in large Ukrainian cities (Kyiv, Odessa, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Simferopol, etc.) and you could easily get from one part of the city to another by just using the city transport. Best to purchase tickets at the bus stops at the little "kiosks", however you can also get your ticket from the conductor once you board. If there's no conductor, just get the ticket from the driver. Be sure to "validate" or "punch" your ticket using the small boxes placed inside the bus. During Rush-Hour most public transportation can be very crowded.

Kyiv metro platform Dnipro
Kyiv metro platform Dnipro

Kiev (Kyiv) Metro System is without a doubt the fastest, most convenient and affordable way to get around nearly all of the city. (read more about Kyiv Subway System) Kiev's Metro System is expanding to meet an ever increasing number of users - currently estimated at one and half million passengers per day.

There are several other cities in Ukraine, which have got the Subway System: Dnipropetrovs'k, Kharkiv, Kryvyi Rig (Speed Tram).

MicroBuses (Marshrootkas)

Marshrootka (microbus)
Marshrootka (microbus)

The next most popular form of transportation in Ukraine is the many privately owned MicroBuses (Marshrootkas). Their coverage includes smaller residential streets as well as routes and schedules that are convenient for all. You could ask the driver to stop the bus nearly everywhere and you can flag it down to stop for you nearly everywhere, as well.

"Marshrootkas" (Marshrutkas) are definitely faster, cleaner and more available than the bulkier public transit buses. Minibuses take fewer passengers, run faster, stop on demand and are more available. Ticket prices and itinerary of private minibuses are regulated by the city government, and the cost of one ride, while higher than on public buses, is still quite low, in the range of 1.50 - 2.75 hr. When you get on, you pay to the driver or to the conductor. Usually you could see the fare written somewhere on the window inside of the marshrootka. However, without knowledge of Ukrainian or Russian, riding a marshrootka could be a tough job. You will definitetly need help the first few times to understand the system.

It could also be quite hard to get off at the right place, especially when the bus is packed. You might just shout : "Na ostanovke!" and the driver will stop at the nearest bus stop, or take a friend with you who knows the way around. :)

Very often Marshrootkas are crowded, especially during the rush hours and when the weather is bad.The buses are small, so sometimes you would have to fight your way in and out with elbows and whatever else it takes. Sometimes you could end up without buttons on your shirt :) But despite of these disadvantages, marshrootkas are quite popular among locals.

Trams, Trolleybuses and Buses

Kyiv tram
Kyiv tram

Public electric trolleybuses, trams and buses in many cases have aged equipment and are under-funded. But recently new trolleybuses and buses started to appear on the streets of Ukraine.

The Ukraine public transport system uses a simple tariff system regardless of distance travelled: tickets for ground transportation must be purchased each time a vehicle is boarded. For example in Kyiv, the fare is 1.5 hryvnia per ticket. You could buy it at the Ticket Kiosk at the bus stop or on the bus or tram from the conductor (Please note, not all buses have the conductor on board. In this case, you need to get your ticket from the driver). Pensioners use public transportation for free. Monthly passes are also available in all combinations of public transportation: metro, bus, trolley, tram and could be purchased at the metro (if in Kyiv, also at the Press or Ticket Kiosks at the Bus Stops).

Taxi

Taxi's are located throughout the city and can be found very easily. Compared to other Europeon coutries fares are quite cheap and are negotiated in advance, if taken in the street. If you call the taxi company they usually name the price. Most taxis don't use a meter.

The best taxi's are those with their company's phone number on the rooftop, or side, of the car. Others may be private taxi's which may be more expensive and less comfortable. Hitchhiking is common in Ukraine, but not recommended for tourists. Hitchhikers extend their arm, so that approaching cars can clearly see, pointing their first and second fingers together toward the street, motioning with their fingers up and down. They then negotiate for a few hryvna for the ride.

- Kyiv City Taxi Services phone number: 058

Sometimes, especially at night and during holidays, it's hard to get a taxi from a taxi company. They would just say that there are no cars in your area. In this case it could be faster to get a taxi from the street, but you have to be firm and negotiate the price beforehand or your Taxi fare will skyrocket.

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