TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit accepted |
| Currency |
(UAH)
Hryunia |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 380, City Code, Lviv 32+7D, Lutsk 33+7D, Zhytomyr 41+7D
|
LANGUAGE
Ukrainian became the official language only in 1990, replacing
Russian. Most of the population in eastern Ukraine and in Kyiv
speak Russian as a first language, while Ukrainian is the first
language in western Ukraine. Although those in the political world
and the local media use both languages, official documents are
now in Ukrainian. The two languages share almost the same Cyrillic
alphabet, and if you arrive unfamiliar with either language a
phrase book or interpreter is almost essential. Not much English
is spoken here.
INTERNATIONAL
TIME
Ukraine has two time zones (two hours after Greenwich Mean Time
in 24 oblasts and three in the Republic of Crimea). Daylight savings
time is observed from the first Sunday in April to the last Sunday
in October when you will need to advance your clocks by one hour.
MONEY
The new official ukrainian currency 'Hryvnia' (UAH) was introduced
September 2, 1996 replacing the old temporary ukrainian currency
'Coupon' and became the only legal payment bill within Ukraine
after September 15.
See more information about Hryvnia here.
CURRENCY
EXCHANGE
You can easily change your dollars or other hard currecies for
Hryvnias in major banks and special exchange points. Estimated
exchange rate to dollar as of July 2000 is about 5.45 UHR for
1 USD. (You may also check our Hryvnia Currency Converter here.)
Changing U.S. dollars for ukrainian Hryvnias or another currency
is legal only at banks, currency exchange desks at hotels and
at licensed exchange booths. There are a lot of such exchange
points throughout the city. Beware of changing money on the streets
or with private individuals: it's illegal and it can be dangerous.
Remember however that old or damaged bills may not be accepted
or accepted under the lower rate. The "hard currency"
stores only accept Hryvnias but almost all of them have a money
exchange booth on the premises.
CREDIT
CARDS
Ukraine is a cash economy. Traveler's checks and credit cards
are gaining wider acceptance in larger cities. Use of credit cards
is limited to the better hotels, Western-style restaurants, international
airlines and select stores. American Express, MasterCard, and
Visa are commonly accepted. A passport or diplomatic card may
be required whenever a credit card is used. Customs regulations
prohibit sending cash, traveler's checks, personal checks, credit
cards or passports through the international mail system to Ukraine.
These items are regularly confiscated as contraband by customs
authorities.
EXPORT
OF VALUABLES OF UKRAINIAN ORIGIN
To export any antique items and/or works of art the permission
of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine must be obtained. In addition
to samovars, paintings, and rugs, this restriction applies to
collections or separate works of fine, applied, and folk art,
archeological and numismatic items, valuable musical instruments,
gold, silver, precious stones, hand-woven carpets, manuscripts,
books published before 1966, and furniture made before 1945.
BUSINESS
HOURS
An eight-hour day is considered a normal work day, Monday through
Friday. A lunch break is taken between the hours of 1:00pm and
2:00pm. Most banks are open without breaks, Monday through Friday
from 9:00am to 1:00pm.
WATER
Tap water in Kyiv is chemically safe but may contain elevated
levels of lead from the pipes. This problem is remedied by letting
the tap run for 10 seconds before collecting the water. There
is also no detectable radiation in the water.
ELECTRICITY
220 volts, 50Hz is the standard electrical voltage throughout
Ukraine. To use electrical appliances you will need a converter
as well as an Eastern-European plug adapter.
