The post Everything You Need To Know About Driving In Ukraine appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.
]]>Ukraine is a beautiful and sprawling country with plenty to see and experience. For those who like to see the world by the roads, it’s worth noting a few things before you pack up the car and head out on the road.
The most obvious observation to remember is that while Ukraine is a European nation, it not a member of the European Union, so entrance to and from Ukraine is a bit more stringent than in the EU.
Driving in Ukraine with US, UK and other foreign licenses
Yes! If you have a valid driver license in your country of origin, you can obtain an international driver’s license there and use that to drive in Ukraine.
As noted before, you need an international driver’s license to drive in Ukraine if you’re not a native.
To get one of those, you need a valid driver license in your home country (in the case of the US, a National Driver’s License).
As long as your paperwork is in order, you should have no problems being able to drive, as long as you can read the language and are eighteen years of age.
A preprogrammed GPS is advised for those not familiar with a Cyrillic alphabet. For those who prefer maps, knowing the alphabet is a good idea.
Driving in Ukraine
Ukraine is a big country, and its roads are long and numerous.
Home to many forests and marshes, anyone who expects to drive cross-country in Ukraine is advised to have an understanding of off-road driving.
The roads will be worn, wet, pockmarked, and in some rural areas not necessarily paved.
Caution is definitely advised, since the speed limit is usually around 130 km/h (~81 mph) on motorways.
Just because you can go that fast may not mean you should, though the locals almost certainly will.
Driving in Kiev
Kiev is a wonderful city to visit, and if you’re driving a car in Kiev, there are a few things you should know.
The speed limit in towns and cities is usually 50 km/h (~30 mph), and 90 km/h (~56 mph) outside populated areas.
Also, city roads are well maintained and paved, making for a much smoother and easier driving experience than in the country. As a result, driving in Kiev is very similar to driving in any other city.
Note that Ukraine does not tolerate mixing alcohol and driving, regardless of how little or much you actually drank.
Kiev, like any major city, has its fair share of reckless drivers. It isn’t unknown for people to use the sidewalk as an alternate lane when there’s a lot of traffic, the person is in a hurry, or they don’t want to drive on the road for whatever reason.
Keep an eye on the road and other cars, know where you’re going, and obey traffic rules.
Can I travel to Ukraine with my own car?
Yes, but there is some paperwork.
Since you’ll be dealing with immigration, customs, and the motor vehicle administration, you’ll be filling out a lot of forms to several different government groups.
Also, if you keep the car in Ukraine for longer than two months, you’ll have to get local plates.
More details on bringing and driving your own car in Ukraine can be found in a previous article: Traveling to Ukraine In Your Car.
How can I rent a car Ukraine?
For those who don’t want to deal with all the hassle of bringing their own car, renting a car for a trip to Ukraine is an excellent alternative.
Car rental services are available at every major Ukrainian airport. Though the paperwork and staff do speak English and the process is straightforward than you might think.
As long as you’re at least 21, you should be able to rent a car as long as you have the proper driver’s licenses, as mentioned before. However, you can expect to pay a decent deposit if you are younger than 30.
If you are wondering where to rent a car, SIXT is a great site for taking care of your Ukraine car rental needs.
More detailed information on car rental is available on a previous post: Renting a Car in Kiev.
Driving in Ukraine is a wonderful way to experience the beautiful countryside and cities alike. From the forests and marshes, to the vibrant towns and cities, the road is calling to those willing to meet its requirements.
As with any trip, make sure you have your paperwork in order, have a plan for what you want to do vehicle wise, be prepared for rough roads outside of the cities and reckless drivers in the cities, and, above all, make sure you have fun.
Driving a car in Ukraine is a great way to enjoy your vacation, so make sure you plan accordingly and enjoy your stay!
And make sure to book your personal tour of Kiev!
See you in Kiev 
The post Everything You Need To Know About Driving In Ukraine appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.
]]>The post Renting a Car in Kiev: Is it Worth the Money? appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.
]]>Kiev, like any major city of Europe offers a wide range of public transit options from its three metro lines to a standard taxi or Uber ride.
With all these options available, is it really worth spending the money on renting a car in Kiev?
If you are asking this question then the answer is definitely — yes!
Renting a car will give you the autonomy that you enjoy at home. You will be free to drive where you want when you want around Kiev.
Not only does renting a car afford travelers the chance to experience Kiev without the constraints of bus schedules, for the car enthusiast, Kiev offers a wide array of high-end vehicles for rent as well.
So, while renting a car will undoubtedly cost money, it will save you time and stress on waiting for public transit, and will the cost will even out throughout your stay.
How old do I have to be to rent a car in Kiev?
In Kiev, it is fairly easy to rent a car, but don’t get carried away; there are still a few qualifications that you must meet.
- First of all, you must be at least 18 years of age to legally drive a car in Ukraine, but most local rental agencies require drivers to be between the ages of 21-25.
- To rent a premium car, many agencies will require a minimum age of 30.
These regulations exist to help ensure that there are only mature and responsible drivers on the road.
Renting a car is safe and simple in Kiev
To rent a car in Kiev, you must have an international driver’s license.
Once this requirement is met, and you are of the appropriate age, renting a car in Kiev is incredibly simple.
There are many different car rental services around the city, and, like any other city in Europe, it will require an ID (your passport) with proof of age and legal license. And, of course, it will require a major credit card on file.
As a renter, you will be insured—up to a certain amount of damage, which may vary depending on the rental company.
How much will it cost me to rent a car?
Costs vary among rental companies. The most important factor to consider is whether to rent from a large, international company like Hertz or SIXT or go with a local Ukrainian rental agency.
If you are over 25-30 years of age, you may expect renting a car in Kiev to cost from:
- $25/day for a Ford Fiesta
- $35/day Ford Focus
- $60/day for Audi A3
- $70/day for Volkswagen Passat
- $44/day for Toyota Corolla
You can always visit Rental Cars for better and up-to-date quote.
Younger driver may need to pay an extra fee
Foreign companies like Hertz will often require a much higher rental deposit and will charge a young driver for anyone under 25 years.
On average, this additional cost will be anywhere from $10-$30 extra per day.
Unlimited mileage will cost you more
These agencies sometimes will give you up to 400 kilometers (~248.5 miles) for free, with a $0.23 extra charge per kilometer after that. But, for $5/day you can get unlimited mileage.
You might need to pay deposit
Local Ukrainian rental agencies will charge a low $25 fee per day; however, for this low fee, you will be required to pay a $150 – $500 deposit.
Local companies typically offer lower mileage in the initial rental and has fewer car rental options. Also the contract and service terms can be tricky and unfavorable to customers sometimes.
Where do I go to rent a car in Kiev?
There are many rental agencies to choose from in Kiev. To save time and stress in finding the best one, use Rental Cars as your one-stop-shop, where you can actually find cars from reputable international car rental companies like AVIS, Hertz, SIXT, BLS, United, Europcar among others.
The prices on Rental Cars are come at additional discount rate. The process itself is simple and straight forward, and there is the option of free cancellation.
Is it easier to rent a car in Kiev than in other cities in Ukraine?
It is incredibly easy to rent a car in Kiev. Renting Lviv, for example, may be more expensive, with lesser options. While Kiev offers an enormous variety of rental options.
Should I hire a driver for my rental?
Some local rentals have their own drivers, who are experienced enough to take you any place you need around Kiev.
Having someone who can easily navigate the back streets to avoid the worst of the traffic will be a big plus.
Let me know if you need a car with personal driver, I have couple of good suggestions.
Also, this will free you from the hustle of finding a parking spot in Kiev, especially during rush-hour in downtown area.
See you in Kiev!
The post Renting a Car in Kiev: Is it Worth the Money? appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.
]]>The post Traveling to Ukraine in Your Car: Entry, Driving in Ukraine and What to Expect appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.
]]>Driving is addictive for many, and if you are a driving enthusiast then the idea of a road trip across Europe will sound very seductive.
Entering Ukraine with your own car during such journey is possible of course, and the procedures is straightforward, making it easy for you to travel to Ukraine in your own car. And let me tell you how:
Entering Ukraine in your personal vehicle
If you are planning on traveling to Ukraine with your personal vehicle, you can do so as long as you comply with the rules of temporary car imports and Ukrainian traffic laws.
If you are driving to Ukraine you will be coming from one of the following countries:
- Belarus
- Russia
- Moldova
- Poland
- Slovakia
- Hungary
- Romania
At the port of entry, you’ll notice long lines of freight trucks. Don’t waste your time sitting in line. Ukraine understands that you’re a busy person and has created lanes specifically for private vehicles, so bypass the lorries and come on in.
When you reach the Ukrainian side of the border, it’s important that the owner of the car be driving, not a friend of travel companion, when the customs officer approaches you, present him/her with the following documents:
- Valid travel passport
- Valid Ukrainian visa (if you need one)
- Your driving license (preferably international driving license)
- Cars registration papers
- International insurance policy (Green Card insurance certificate)
The officer will check the information, and once satisfied, will stamp your passport with an entry permission adding to it the car license plate number and return your documents to you.
This procedure should take only a couple of minutes, and you will be on your way.
How long can I stay with my car in Ukraine?
If you are only visiting, you have up to two months to use your car in Ukraine. However, should you fail to leave within this period, you will be fined, and your car may be impounded for failure to pay.
This can happen at the border or when you get stopped at random for a check. This seems to happen more often for drivers with non-Ukrainian plates.
You can also keep the car and use it for up to one year if you undergo the process of replacing the license plates with temporary ones issued by the Ukrainian government.
Custom regulations when entering Ukraine in your car
When you cross the border with your car, you should pay special attention to general customs regulations regarding what you can bring with you and what limitations exist on cash and goods.
Generally, you do not need to pay any taxes on:
- Alcoholic beverages; beer up to 5 liters (~ 169 ounces), wine up to 2 liters (~ 67 ounces), vodka up to 1 liter (~ 33 ounces).
- Cigarettes up to 200 pieces
- Cigars up to 50 pieces
- Consumables and groceries up to 200 Euro of value.
All personal belongings are also tax-free, including cellphones, laptops, cameras, gadgets, and etc.
Leaving Ukraine with your car
This is a simple procedure.
When crossing the border, a customs officer will go through your passport and the car’s papers to make sure that you are leaving in the same car that you entered Ukraine in.
Once everything is checked out and approved, you will receive your exit stamp, and you may drive to the other side of the border.
If by chance, you have violated the two month permit period, you must have a valid explanation that follows the administrative protocol and pay your fine.
Leaving Ukraine without your car
If, at the point of exit, you where no driving your car, you will need to offer a reasonable explanation along with any necessary documentation.
The customs and border authorities reserve the right to investigate further if they feel the situation is suspicious, especially if you traveled to Ukraine with a car and left without it.
In this situation, they will most likely suspect tax fraud or that you have smuggled contraband across the border.
This will undoubtedly cause a delay in your travel plans.
Will I be pulled over?
You may run into multiple traffic stops when driving in Ukraine, but it is equally possible that you will encounter none.
This is more likely to happen on the highways outside of the cities.
Your stop can be for a random check, or because you broke a traffic law.
Most commonly, you will be pulled over for breaking speed limits at special sections of the road, near villages and urban areas.
Having non-Ukrainian number plates can also contribute to more stops, not because the police target foreigners, but for more complicated reasons, related to the abuse of temporary car import rules.
First of all, you must understand that temporary imports are for the use of foreign nationals who are visiting Ukraine or staying here on a temporary basis, while citizens and those with resident status must have their cars permanently registered in Ukraine.
However, cars are expensive in Ukraine, the same car can be at least 50% cheaper in neighboring countries, so people started finding and using many loopholes in temporary car import laws and regulations, which has led to massive abuse of the law.
The local media report that there are about one million cars on temporary import in Ukraine, and the overwhelming majority of drivers and actual owners of these are Ukrainians and residents rather than foreigners.
Naturally, authorities are trying to combat this any way they can, looking for violators, and stopping cars with non-Ukrainian plates at checkpoints. These stops are rare nowadays!
What to do if I have an accident while in Ukraine?
Hopefully, you will never experience this, but on the off chance you have an accident on the road, you will have two options. To resolve the matter without involving the police, you may compensate the other party if you are at fault or vice versa.
Your other option is to leave it for the police to decide.
If you opt for the official approach, do not move your car, keep it where it is, take out your phone and document the damage.
When the police arrive explain your part and show them the photos, they will write their report, then take it from there.
Crossing the border and driving in Ukraine is a simple process, and I hope this guide has helped to put your mind at ease.
And when you arrive to Kiev, just get in touch with me to guide you around the city!
See you in Kiev
The post Traveling to Ukraine in Your Car: Entry, Driving in Ukraine and What to Expect appeared first on Kiev Tour Guide | Private Tour Guide in Kiev.
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