How to travel by train in Ukraine

In case you didn’t know that: Ukraine is large! People here are used to travel by train, because it’s an easy way to get from one city to another. The vast majority of Ukrainians do their long distance travel by trains. It’s not always very comfortable, but it’s relatable and very cheap. Also, there is a chance to watch some beautiful scenery in the window!

It’s easy to plan your trip — trains are almost always on time and run frequently. Also, you can book your tickets online on a government website in English.

There are different types of trains in Ukraine:

• Suburban train (electrychka). This train connects small suburban cities with larger central city. It’s a good way to travel if you don’t have a car. There are benches only on this kind of train, and no prescribed places. 
• Intercity train (sometimes called the Hyundai train). This is a new line of trains made before a EURO 2012 football championship. It connects major cities in Ukraine, like Kyiv, Lviv, Zaporizhya, Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv etc. The train is more like ordinary Western European train, with comfy seats and food buffets. Tickets are more expensive, but still reasonable priced.
• Regular train. It’s the most common type of train here. They are mostly old and not so comfortable (depending on a train’s class, obviously). This article talks mostly about regular overnight travels.

Regular trains have 3 classes:

First class is called a “sleeping wagon” (SW). It’s the most comfortable class. Every compartment has two berths, table and a TV. Also, in the first class car you can expect a better service.

Second class is called a Kupe. It’s a separated compartment with four berths – bottom and top ones. It’s popular because it has some degree of privacy. The compartment has a lock on the door, so it’s safer.

Third class is called a Platskart. These carriages do not have separate compartments. There are more berths, too: the compartment includes six of them.

On a 2nd and 3rd class, you can get a bottom or top berth. Your luggage goes in a space under a lower berth. There are some travel etiquette rules, but most of the time, just use common sense! Be friendly with your fellow travelers and try not to disturb each other.

After boarding on a train, you get a set of clean sheets and a towel. The mattress, pillow and a warm blanket are in the compartment too. When you’re ready to sleep, take it out and make your bed.

What to take with you:

• Money and documents. Keep your valuables safe! Get your electronics and a wallet in a bag and keep it with you all the time, especially when you’re going to sleep. 
• Personal hygiene. It’s important to keep your hands clean on a train. Wet wipes, antibacterial spray, soap, toilet paper, tissues, toothbrush and toothpaste are a must. 
• Clothes. People usually change into comfy clothes and slippers on a train. You can take a warm hoodie or scarf with you, according to weather – it could be too cold or too hot inside.
• Food. There are no hot meals on a regular train. Take some snacks with you: candy, fruits, sandwiches, water in a bottle, etc. You can order only a hot tea and some candy from a train attendant. 

Useful Tips:

Traveling with a bicycle. If you’d like to travel with your bike or other equipment like skis, it’s easy too! If you disassemble and pack it (and if it’s weight is less than 36 kg), just take it with you for free. If you don’t want to disassemble it, the bike gets taken to special luggage compartment – costing you half a regular ticket price.

Waiting for a train. There are two types of waiting halls on train stations in Ukraine: free and paid. If you need to wait for a train for a relatively long time, better go to a paid waiting hall – it’s cheap and more comfortable.

More privacy for a better price. You can buy all four berths at a 2nd class compartment and it still will be cheaper than a 1st class ride.

Smoking is forbidden on all trains! You can only smoke in a separate platform known as “Tambour”, between the carriages.

Be safe and enjoy your ride!

15 Facts You Didn't Know About Ukraine

1. Ukraine is the largest country located entirely within Europe with the total area of 603,500 km², followed by France, Spain and Sweden.

2. It’s called just Ukraine, without “the”. The name of the country had been a point of contention for many years, but today most English sources choose to abandon “the”.

3. For some time in 1990s, Ukraine was a third largest nuclear power in the world. After the fall of the Soviet Union, Ukraine ended up with a staggering amount of warheads – nearly 1700. It’s the only nuclear country which voluntarily chose to give up the nuclear arms too, in 1994.

4. Kyiv has the deepest metro station in the world. The Arsenalna station is 105.5 meters deep! It’s built beneath a hill and some say that it has secret bunkers for Soviet leaders inside.

5. The third most visited McDonald’s in the world is located in Ukraine, near the train station in Kyiv. The first and second place for the busiest McDonald’s restaurant are both in Moscow.

6. Most of the country is bilingual. More people speak Ukrainian and Russian, and less speak Ukrainian and Polish or Ukrainian and Hungarian. Some segments of the population speak a mixture of Russian and Ukrainian, called “Surzhik”

7. The longest musical instrument in the world is trembita – traditional instrument of Ukrainian Hutsul ethnicity from Carpathian mountains. This really long pipe was used in Ruslana’s Eurovision-winning performance in 2004.

8. The largest and heaviest airplane in the world is Ukrainian. An-225 “Mriya”, built by Antonov Design Bureau, can carry up to 250 tonnes of cargo.

9. Ukrainian “Yuzhmash” bureau in Dnipropetrovsk makes the most environmentally friendly rocket launch vehicles in the world.

10. Ukrainian Hetman introduced one of the first constitutions in the world in 1710 which included three separate branches of power: a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary.

11. One of the most popular Christmas songs “The Carol of the Bells” was actually written by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovich based on Ukrainian folk song “Schedryk”.

12. Some of the oldest shelters constructed by a pre-historic man were found in Mezhyrich, Ukraine. These dwellings are dated more than 15,000 years back. An old map inscribed on the bone was also found on the site, as well as remains of the drum and amber ornaments.  

13. In the 10^th and 11^th centuries the country was known as Kievan Rus. At the time it was the most powerful nation in Europe.

14. It’s really fertile. Ukraine accounts for circa 25% of the world’s richest black soil. Currently Ukraine is a world market leader in exports of sunflower oil and barley and 7th in the world in wheat production.

15. It's educated. Ukraine is in the top five countries in the world with the largest number of certified IT professionals. The country occupies the 4^th number in the world by the number of IT professionals.

6 ways to offend a Ukrainian

Ukrainians are not easily offended in general, but there are some things you should NOT do around any of them. 

1.         Do not compare Ukrainians to Russians and do not use Russian transcriptions (the Ukraine, Kiev, etc.)

“Ukraine? Is it somewhere in Russia?”, “What’s the difference between Ukrainian and Russian?”, etc. These questions are infuriating for most of Ukrainian people. Sure, for a non-Slavic eye there isn’t much difference between Ukrainian and Russian culture, but the difference exists, and it’s still rude to suggest they are one nation.

This rule applies to the use of Russian-translated Ukrainian toponyms, like Kiev, Lvov or the Ukraine. Instead, one should use Kyiv, Lviv and just Ukraine.

2.         Even number of flowers

If you’re bringing flowers to some special occasion, always do uneven number. Even numbers are reserved for the funerals, wakes and other commemorations of the dead. Gifting even number of flowers is considered a really bad luck for the recipient.

3.         Whistling indoors

Whistling indoors is considered bad luck: if you’re whistling in the room, people will believe everybody in the room will lose money. It drives some Ukrainians crazy to hear someone whistling. Also, it’s a bad luck to stand under the open umbrella in the house.

4.          Shoes indoors

You’re invited to somebody’s house? Take your shoes off at the door! It’s not a negotiable thing. Even if hosts say “don’t take your shoes off”. Even if your shoes are clean and the floor is cold. Just. Take. Off. The. Shoes.

5.         Overlooking the elderly on public transport

It’s a written and unwritten rule to give your seat to old people, disabled people and pregnant women or women with little kids. If you’re not giving your seat, it’s considered rude and low manners.

6.          Joking about someone else’s family

Jokes about “Yo mama” are considered a poor choice everywhere, but here talking like that you risk getting a punch in the face.

Essentials to live in Ukraine: Take your towel and don't panic!

If you’re moving to Ukraine or just visiting, it’s smart not to have too much baggage with you. Travelling light makes things a lot easier. But there are some things that are better to take with you. 

Clothes & Electronics

Clothes. There are a lot of shopping malls and boutiques in Ukraine, so you won’t be naked. But it’s better to take as much clothes with you as you can, because clothes can be really expensive here. Winters are hard here, so it's better to buy a warm winter coat and winter boots before your arrival.

Electronics. Take your small electronic appliances with you if you can, but do not forget about adaptors. If your electronics is meant for 110V, it could be seriously damaged if plugged in a 220V socket without a power converter.

It’s better to buy smartphones in Western countries, but watch out for phones locked to one provider. SIM cards can be bought on almost every street corner, the rates for calls and data are relatively cheap. 

Household items. You may or may not find your favourite kind of bed linens and towels in Ukraine. Some people prefer to take their textile with them; others buy it in Ukraine. 

Food & Personal Health Items

Food. There is a lot of food in Ukraine, but your local favourites may not be available in shops. Things like peanut butter, some Asian food and spices, Mexican food, corn syrup, maple syrup, some nuts and exotic fruits, sweet potatoes, molasses, your local snacks and candies.

If you have allergies, gluten intolerance or other sensitivities, take supplies with you for the first couple of weeks. It could be a challenge to find such food in Ukrainian shops, but it’s doable.

Personal care items. If you have some preferred brands, take them with you. Otherwise, shops in cities stock a wide assortment of shampoos, toothpaste, shower gel etc. Also, you can order your favourite brands at Amazon or Ebay.

Medication. Medication for personal use may be brought with you to Ukraine in almost all cases. If you will be bringing large quantities of any drug, bring a prescription or doctor's note confirming that the medication is for personal use.

Many — but not all — medications are available in Ukraine, but often are called by different names and can be difficult to track down. Note that a lot of medications for mental disorders is not available in Ukraine.

Something Else

It’s smart to bring small gifts/souvenirs with you that represent your local culture or cuisine. For example, Canadians can bring bottles of maple syrup; Englishmen can bring tea or chocolate, etc. Be creative! These trinkets will come in handy when you’re invited to someone’s house: it's rude to come empty-handed. 

Access to media

Note that most of streaming services like Pandora, Hulu or HBO are blocked in Russia. Netflix has only recently become available but the shows you can access will probably be much more limited than you are used to. You might look into VPN services to get around some restrictions.