Visiting Kiev (Kyiv)
Kyiv is the city where the modern and the ancient create excellent possibilities for cultural and aesthetical tourism. Nevertheless, before you become a visitor to this fabulous city, take your time to decide on at least two points: where you will spend your nights and how you are going to get around the place.
Let us consider selecting a flat. Start by considering your budget and your tastes, you may either choose to rent a room in a Kiev hotel, or rent an apartment. Count the stars on Kiev hotels to estimate the quality of the service and accommodation and the price you are willing to pay for it.
Kiev boasts of a number of luxury hotels. There are virtually dozens of less posh Kiev accommodation opportunities. A luxury hotel is going to cost you around $400-850 per night, 4 stars will cost $150-$500, three stars will be about $70-300, two stars will cost from $50 to 120 and small and one star hotels charge around 25-100 per 24 hours.
There are as well a couple of hostels in the city for students and young people. In a regular hostel you can find unpretentious but fresh accommodation facilities and some sofas or beds in one and the same room.
If you want to spare some money, you might want to rent an apartment. Instead of a small hotel room for about $90-150 you could get a luxury flat in the city center. Inexpensive one-room apartments may be rent for no more than $50. Many companies that allow you to rent such Kyiv apartments might even offer to meet you when you arrive. The rule of thumb of here is to reserve the room at least a couple of days in advance.
In case you are tight with funds or would like to have something more extreme, you may rent a sleeping berth inside a train. There is a train depot not far from the train station ?Karavaevy dachi? where you can rent a compartment for some $15. Attempt the option at your own danger.
Of course few people come to Kiev to spend their time indoors. This city with over two million inhabitants has many great places to visit if you can find your way around. Do not worry, though. The public transportation is fairly appropriate.
The most convenient option to move around is Kiev taxis. They will deliver you you from the airport to your hotel or apartment for less than $35. Generally, for a foreigner, the Ukrainian taxis should be reasonably affordable. It is a pleasure to taxi Kiev around. Nevertheless, in case you do not plan on using only taxis in Kyiv, the city has some other transport options to offer.
In the first place, it is the extensive subway that can get you almost anywhere in the city. It is especially suitable when you have to travel large distances during hot hours with huge traffic jams on the roads. Second of all, you can use buses, trolley busses and trams. These types of transport are quite inexpensive: you pay a fixed amount to travel any distance. However, they are not very regular. Third, you could always walk around or use Kiev's unique transportation - funicular that escalates the bank of Dnieper River. At last, you can always walk around.
Come to Kiev. This city has got plenty of sights to impress a curious visitor.
