18 BEST Things to Do in Kyiv, Ukraine

18 Best Things to Do in Kyiv

1. Go Inside St. Volodymyr's Cathedral

Eastern Orthodoxy is the dominant religion in Ukraine, and you will find many religious buildings and structures dedicated to the belief all over Kyiv. One of those is the St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, a bright yellow Neo-Byzantine cathedral located not too far from Universytet Metro Station, making it a great place to start your first day in Kyiv.

Its vivid yellow façade opens to an extravagant gold-accented fresco-lined interior, a signature of Eastern Orthodoxy décor you often find in this part of the world.

The entry is free, but the moment you take out your camera and snap some photos, the woman working there will jump in front of you and ask you to pay for the photo/video ticket, which seems to be the norm here in Ukraine. The cost for such a ticket is around 50 UAH or 2 USD if you want to snap some photos.

Where to Stay in Kyiv?

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Kiev Central Station Backpackers

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Mid-Range

Evropeyskiy Hotel

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High-End

Radisson Blu Hotel, Kyiv City Centre

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2. Climb up the Bell Tower at St. Sophia's Cathedral ❤️ Must Visit

After visiting St. Volodymyr's Cathedral, you can walk north past the Golden Gate, which I don't think is worth mentioning on this itinerary. However, you can check it out before heading towards St. Sophia's Cathedral.

St. Sophia's Cathedral is another Orthodox cathedral built in the 9th Century AD by the Kievan Rus to replicate the Hagia Sophia found in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul) a few centuries prior, hence where the name St. Sophia came from.

There are several structures you can visit within the Cathedral area, but the highlight for me was the Bell Tower where you can climb up to get the view of Old Kyiv from the top. From up there, you can even see the St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, which is next on our list of things to do.

It is also worth walking around inside St. Sophia's Cathedral itself, where you will find stunning mosaics and frescoes from the 11th Century AD. Two levels are accessible to the public, allowing you to see the cathedral's interior from a different perspective.

The entrance fee ranges from 100 - 200 UAH, but the best one, in my opinion, is the 160 UAH that gives you access to the courtyard, inside the cathedral, and the Bell Tower.

I really like St. Sophia's Cathedral. It may be a bit expensive to get inside, but because of that, it is a much more peaceful experience to be walking around here than, say, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery which is next on the list.

3. Stroll around St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery

St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery is the large cathedral you saw from the Bell Tower, making it a great place to visit next. Unlike St. Sophia's Cathedral, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery is a functioning monastery, so it is free to enter.

The monastery is a blend of Ukrainian Baroque style on the outside but retains its original Byzantine style on the inside. Due to its multiple golden domes, massive size, and its blue-painted exterior, St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery is one of the most photogenic religious buildings in the city.

Behind the monastery, there is a park that connects the monastery and the square to two different attractions. You can choose either to go left to St. Andrew's Church (which is recommended for this itinerary) and spend the next day going to the right towards the Friendship of Nations Arch, or vice versa.

4. Check Out the View From St. Andrew's Church

If you choose to go west from St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, you will find St. Andrew's Church towering over the famous Andriivs'kyi Descent street where all the souvenir shops are located.

St. Andrew's Church itself was under renovation when I was there, so I was only able to walk around the church from the outside. However, even with that limitation, the view from the balcony overlooking the Dnieper River is already worth the discounted 20 UAH entrance fee, in my opinion.

St. Andrew's Church is also a landmark to begin your descent from the famous Andriivs'kyi Descent, which is next on our list of things to do in Kyiv.

5. Walk Down the Andriivs'kyi Descent

The Andriivs'kyi Descent is a historic descent that connects Old Kyiv to the hip neighborhood of Podil. The Descent is 720m long and is built with cobblestones along the steep hill of Zamkova Hora.

Scattered along the streets, you will find plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants for you to indulge yourself in. However, if you are looking to buy a souvenir, I would recommend buying it from somewhere else, as the souvenir prices here are known to be quite inflated. You will likely have to negotiate down the price to make it more reasonable.

A better option for souvenirs is the Folkmart, an official souvenir shop where you can buy all kinds of high-quality handcrafts at a reasonable price. One of the many Folkmarts can be found on Khreschatyk Shopping Street near Kyiv Independence Square.

6. Explore the Hipster District of Podil

If you have some time left for that day, you can also continue on to Podil from Andriivs'kyi Descent and explore the hip neighborhood of Kyiv. However, I would recommend doing it on a separate day as there are tons of things to do in Podil that you might not be able to cover in a few hours.

If you mix the old and the new in the right way, you get Podil, a vibrant and hip neighborhood of Kyiv and one of the main cultural centers of the city. Right off the street from Andriivs'kyi Descent, you will find a massive empty road with a giant Ferris Wheel. Around this area, you can find many cool restaurants and cafes where you can sit and watch people go by.

If you dive deeper into Podil, you will find many other hidden gems like the beloved Vagabond Cafe And Vintage Corner, a vintage cafe that serves a great selection of coffee and homemade muesli, or the Living Room, a cafe/bar that serves food and drinks and occasionally hosts small live concerts here and there.

Located within Podil is also a museum you should visit, especially if you are planning to visit Chernobyl soon, and that museum is next on the list.

7. Learn about Chernobyl at the Ukrainian National Chornobyl Museum 🏛️ Best Museum

The Ukrainian National Chernobyl Museum is a museum dedicated to explaining all the details of what actually happened that night in 1986 when the explosion went off at the Chernobyl Power Plant and the events that occurred afterward.

The museum opens from 10 AM - 6 PM every day except Sunday. The entry fee is 100 UAH for the entrance, 36 UAH for photos, and 100 UAH deposit (you will get it back at the end) for the audio guide, which I recommend you get if you want to dive deeper into the details of the Chernobyl disaster.

8. Take the Funicular

Getting up the Andriivs'kyi Descent cobblestones can be quite a challenge, so if you want to bypass that and go back up the hill in style, you can go up with a Funicular.

To get on the Funicular, you will have to get to Nyzhnia stantsiia from the bottom of the hill and board one of the cars. It will cost you 8 UAH per trip, and you will arrive right at the top of the hill near St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery.

9. Stroll Along Khreschatyk Shopping Street

For the next day in Kyiv, you can start your day with a walk along the famous Khreschatyk Shopping Street, where you can find all kinds of brand name shops and see people walking up and down the streets.

This is also a good place to get your SIM card if you have not done so elsewhere. There is a Vodafone shop with a lovely lady who speaks excellent English that can help you get the perfect data plan for your time in Ukraine.

Many of my favorite cafes and restaurants are also located here such as Puzata Hata, Na Stanislavsʹkoho, and ONE LOVE Coffee, so you can check those out too.

There is also a popular street food stall called Kyivska Perepichka right by Khreschatyk street where you can taste the tastiest deep-fried sausage in dough in the city. It's cheap, delicious, and very efficient, so be sure to drop by there for some quick bites.

10. Go People-Watching at the Independence Square

After walking up Khreschatyk Street, you will end up at a familiar place. A place you may have seen in the news somewhere a while ago. That's right, you are now in the Independence Square (or simply Maidan), a square where the 2014 Ukrainian Revolution took place, with less fire and more flowers.

The square itself is quite spacious and full of life, especially on the weekends, making it a great place to go people-watching. Within the Square, you will also find a permanent open-air exhibition recounting the events that unfolded during the 2014 Revolution. It sure was an interesting read if you are curious about what actually happened in 2014.

There is also a great viewpoint at the top of the Globus Mall on the observation deck, where you will be able to get a nice view of the Square from above.

11. Walk Around the Friendship of Nations Arch

Remember the park behind St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery, where you can choose to go west or east? Now that we've been to the west to Andriivs'kyi Descent, it's time to go to the east towards the Friendship of Nations Arch.

Friendship of Nations Arch itself is just a giant monument built to commemorate the 60th Anniversary of the USSR back in 1982. Due to the decommunization laws, the Arch is on its way to being dismantled. However, the view around above the Dnieper River and the people hanging out there, especially on a Sunday evening, make it a great place to stroll around and go people-watching.

The park where the Arch is also located along the way towards another popular attraction that is next on the list: the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

12. Spend 2 Hours Exploring the Cave Monastery at Kyiv Pechersk Lavra

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is the biggest surprise of all for me. From the pictures I've seen, it looks like another Eastern Orthodox monastery, but after I arrived, I realized that there is so much more to do than it seems.

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, also known as Kiev Monastery of the Caves, contains several monuments such as the Cathedral of the Dormition, the Bell Towers, the Refectory Church, the Church of All Saints, and many more. However, the main highlight for visiting Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is the cave system that was built beneath the area.

The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra caves are a historic system of narrow tunnels with multiple living quarters and underground chapels built in the 9th Century AD. Nowadays, it is a place for Orthodox pilgrims to visit and pay respects to mummified monks, religious relics, and icons found throughout these underground tunnels.

As a tourist, you can go in and explore a tunnel, but it's really dark and small, so I wouldn't recommend it if you are claustrophobic. You can also buy a candle at the entrance of the cave to light the path if you wish.

The entrance to Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is 80 UAH, but if you wish to take photos and videos with a professional camera (phone cameras are okay apparently), you will have to get the 200 UAH ticket instead, which I think is way too expensive. The good thing is they only enforce this camera rule when you are outside in the courtyard, so you can take photos anywhere else with no problem.

I got one photo of the Cathedral of the Dormition right before a guy came up to me and asked me for my ticket, so if you are fast enough, you might be able to take some before they tell you off 🤣.

13. Enjoy the Sunset at The Motherland Monument

Kyiv Pechersk Lavra is massive, and you will likely be spending at least 2 hours walking around that area. By the time you reach The Motherland Monument, it will probably be right before sunset, which is perfect as the monument looks the prettiest during the Golden Hour.

Most of the path around The Motherland Monument is also exposed, so it is best to visit the monument when the sun isn't too strong.

There are also several museums you can visit within the monument park such as the Ukrainian State Museum of the Great Patriotic War, built to honor Kyiv's defenders during WW2, or the Local Conflicts' Museum, where you will find information about the local struggle between the Ukrainians and the Soviet Union from 1936 to 1989.

14. Take the Metro at the Deepest Metro Station in the World (Arsenalna)

After the sunset, you are probably tired and do not feel like walking back, and that is why I leave this to the end. Did you know that Kyiv is home to the deepest metro station in the world? That station is called Arsenalna, and it is located not too far from Kyiv Pechersk Lavra.

The station is not photogenic or anything, so don't expect any extravagant entrance or decor. But once you pay for the metro ticket, you will be standing on one of the longest underground escalator rides in the world. It took me 5 minutes to reach the first part and another 5 minutes to eventually reach the platform. It's a fun, quirky thing to do when you are in Kyiv.

15. Party at Art-Zavod Platforma

If you are in Kyiv on a Friday night or Saturday during the summer months, be sure to check out the event schedule at Art-Zavod Platforma and see what is happening there.

Many events are happening there for everyone, like Street Food, Bazaar, White Nights, Tattoo Fest, and music festivals throughout the summer weekends in Kyiv. So, if you are there at the right time and are interested in experiencing something unique in Kyiv, be sure to drop by Art-Zavod Platforma.

16. Go Cafe-Hopping in Kyiv

Kyiv also has one of the most vibrant café cultures around, and there are several indie cafes scattered around different neighborhoods where you can indulge yourself.

There are all kinds of cafes for everyone, from a hippie cafe tucked in the alleyways of Kyiv to a minimalist cafe with a grand view of the city from above. If you are like me and really love having coffee in a cool and cozy atmosphere, you will love exploring Kyiv's cafe culture.

If you are looking for a complete guide to indie cafes in Kyiv: Top 10 Indie Cafes To Try In Kyiv

17. Go to a Beach in Kyiv

If, for some reason, you crave a relaxing day at the beach, there is a public beach you can visit within the city of Kyiv. I know, right? I didn't expect to see a beach in Kyiv either, but they do have a few options if you do crave a beach day while in Kyiv.

There are several sandy beaches near Hidropark you can choose from, such as Central Beach, Peredmistna Slobidka Beach, and Venezia Beach.

18. Visit Chernobyl for a Day ☀️ Great Day Trip

Last but not least, I think this is a given to most visitors visiting Kyiv for the first time: you can spend one full day visiting the Chernobyl Power Plant and Pripyat.

You will only be able to visit Chernobyl with a tour, so you will have to book one in advance. I highly recommend booking at least 5 days before to keep the price at 100 USD. If you book last-minute, the price will go up to 125 USD per person. You can book the Chernobyl tour online here.

I have written a comprehensive guide on how to visit Chernobyl so be sure to check out: A Complete Guide On How To Visit Chernobyl

What to Eat and Drink in Kyiv?

1. Eat Local Cuisine at Puzata Hata

I love Puzata Hata. Puzata Hata is a self-service Ukrainian chain restaurant where you can choose what kind of local food you want to eat, and you pay for the items you select on your dish.

It's an effective way to eat local food for tourists like us who do not speak a word of Ukrainian or Russian, as you can see the food and pick whatever you like without having to speak a word.

It is also affordable, and there are many restaurants scattered throughout big cities in Ukraine. So, when in doubt, always go eat at Puzata Hata.

2. Have Breakfast at Coffee and the City

It is not common for budget accommodations to provide you with free breakfast, so it was important to me to find a cafe that opens early enough for me to sit and enjoy a cup of coffee at my leisure. One of my favorite cafes I like to frequent for breakfast is Coffee and the City.

Coffee and the City has one of the best goddamn Flat Whites I have ever tasted in Ukraine. It comes in this small glass, but you know right away that it packs a punch when you see or smell it. You can choose either regular or specialty beans (Honduras or Kenyan on the day I ordered). The cost of coffee was around 70 UAH.

The place opens at 8 AM. So, if you are a morning person and looking for a great place for breakfast not too far from Kyiv Central Station, be sure to drop by here for a mean cup of Flat White.

3. Grab a Deep Fried Hot Dog at Kyivska Perepichka

As mentioned earlier, if you are around Khreschatyk street, be sure to drop by Kyivska Perepichka and grab their delicious deep-fried sausage in dough for a quick bite. It's delicious and cheap. What more can one ask for in street food?

4. Have Cider and Oysters at Bilyy Nalyv

Another great place to have a light meal with cider is Bilyy Nalyv, located on Khreschatyk Street. You can get a hot dog or oysters with lime, together with a glass of cider, for 29 UAH each.

The place is meant for a quick bite, so there are no seats for you to sit, but there are a few big barrels you can stand and eat while watching the people go by along the busy Khreschatyk street.

5. Have Pastries at Milk Bar

If you are looking for something more high-end yet still trendy and affordable, Milk Bar is one of the most popular places in Kyiv for people to hang out and have delicious pastries together.

It has a ton, and I really mean a TON, of delicious pastries for you to pick from. You can also order proper food here, together with a coffee and a dessert, making it a great place to meet in the evening with friends.

It is considered quite expensive for the Kyiv standard (60 - 200 UAH for pastries), and the prices are almost at the same level as what you would pay in Western Europe, but you get what you paid for.

6. Visit One Love Coffee for the View

If you are looking for a minimalist cafe with a great view of Kyiv from above, I couldn't recommend ONE LOVE Coffee more. It is located on the 6th floor of Pinchuk Art Centre, where you will have to go through security and such, but I can assure you, it is totally worth it.

The moment you enter ONE LOVE Coffee, you will be surprised at how glowing it is. ONE LOVE Coffee is decorated with minimalist furniture, almost to the point of being futuristic, all in white with a metallic angular style and a little touch of wood here and there.

It's not just their perfect design sense that blew me away, but outside the window, you will be able to see the old buildings surrounding the famous Khreschatyk shopping street.

If you are looking for a complete guide to hip cafes in Kyiv: Top 10 Indie Cafes To Try In Kyiv

Other Things to Know about Kyiv

Buy English Books at Ye Bookstore

If you are looking for an English bookstore to buy in Kyiv, I found one really nice bookstore in Old Kyiv called Ye Bookstore.

They don't have as many English books as I had hoped, but they had one book that I really want to read, so I bought one from there. The price is a bit high, but if you are craving for a new book in Kyiv, you know where to find one.

How to Buy Water without Gas in Kyiv

One of the first things I struggled with when I arrived in Kyiv was how to buy water without gas. Personally, I hate sparkling water, and since tap water is not drinkable in Kyiv and not many people speak English, I had to learn to recognize the words "No Gas" in Cyrillic.

So if you want to buy a bottle of still water in a market, be sure that you see "НЕГАЗОВАНА" on it, which should translate to "No Gas" (please correct me if I'm wrong here).

Watch Out for the Money-Dropping Scam

As mentioned under safety, please watch out for the money-dropping scam. When you see someone dropping something on the streets in front of you, do not respond and simply walk away.

Buy Souvenir at Folkmart

One of the best places to buy souvenirs in Ukraine is not at the local stalls along the Andriivs'kyi Descent, but at the official souvenir stores called Folkmart instead. They have higher quality souvenirs to choose from at a more reasonable price than buying them around touristy areas.

When to Visit Kyiv?

The best time to visit Kyiv is in the summer, from June to September. Contrary to my suggestion for other European destinations, Ukraine is still a hidden gem and has yet to suffer from over-tourism, so visiting during peak season is still recommended.

Visiting during this time will also allow you to maximize the number of summer events you might run into while traveling in a city like Kyiv. There are tons of music festivals, flea markets, and other interesting events happening all over Ukraine during this time.

How to Get to Kyiv, Ukraine?

The most efficient way to get to Ukraine from a different continent is to fly into Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline.

If you are coming from the US, there is a direct flight from New York to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline that you can take directly to Ukraine, or you can fly via several European airlines such as KLM, Lufthansa, and Air France.

If you are in Europe, you can either fly with a low-cost airline like Ryanair or simply travel by train from any of the main European hubs like Berlin, etc. However, the time it takes to travel will increase considerably if you choose to use trains (24 hours from Berlin to Kyiv).

Last but not least, if you are in Asia, the simplest option is to fly directly from Bangkok to Kyiv via Ukrainian Airline. They are cheap and fly directly to Kyiv in 11 hours.

If you are looking for the cheapest flights to Ukraine, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule for your trip to Ukraine.

How to Get to Kyiv City Center from the Airport?

Once you fly into Kyiv International Airport, you will have to find a way to get to the city center. Thankfully, it is pretty straightforward with a Skybus connecting the airport to the city center.

Skybus will take you from the airport bus terminal (follow the BUS sign and you will find Skybus waiting for you outside the terminal) to Kyiv Central Train Station. The bus number is 322, so make sure you get on the right one.

From there, you can then either walk (you can easily walk to the Kiev Central Station hostel if you follow my accommodation suggestion) or take the Metro to where your accommodation is.

Skybus operates from 5:40 - 23:30, and it runs every 30 - 60 minutes or so. The bus will cost you around 100 UAH, and they only accept cash. The journey will take you around 1 hour, depending on the traffic and the time you arrive.

How to Get Around Kyiv?

Believe it or not, Kyiv can be quite hilly at times, but that doesn't make it impossible to walk. Most of the attractions are concentrated within only a few districts, and if you have time, you can walk to almost all of them, given that you stick to one district per day.

The metro is also a good way to get around Kyiv. It is cheap (8 UAH per trip), easily accessible, and goes to most districts in the city.

When you arrive at a metro station, simply go up to the ticket booth and pay 8 UAH. The ticket clerk will give you a token, which you can then slip into the ticket machine and go down the escalator to the platform.

The metro is very easy to navigate with both English (Latin) and Cyrillic alphabets on almost every sign in the station. If you are looking for the Kyiv metro map, you can download the metro map here.

If the places you want to go aren't near a metro station, you can use Uber or Uklon, the local alternative to Uber, to get around the city. They are quite reliable, and if you are short on time, taking Uber or Uklon is more convenient while still quite affordable.

How Many Days Should I Spend in Kyiv?

To experience Kyiv and all that it has to offer, I would recommend spending at least 3-5 full days in the city, ideally overlapping with Friday or Saturday, so you can get the hang of what the city and its people are all about.

If you can only spend 3 days in Kyiv, I would recommend spending your first day exploring the Old Kyiv area where all the cathedrals are (St. Sophia's Cathedral, Independence Square, and St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery) in the morning and then head towards St. Andrew's Church and the Andriivs'kyi Descent before ending your day in the hip district of Podil.

On your second day, start heading east and visit Friendship of Nations Arch before walking through all the attractions along the way until you reach Kyiv Pechersk Lavra and end your second day at the Motherland Monument.

On your 3rd day, go on a tour and visit Chernobyl and Pripyat. That should take you the entire day.

If you are looking for a complete guide to Chernobyl: A Complete Guide On How To Visit Chernobyl

If you have 4 days in Kyiv, I would recommend that you spend the 4th day visiting all the cool and hip cafes around Kyiv while trying all the amazing food they have in the city. Kyiv has one of the most vibrant café cultures I've seen, and they offer a wide selection for you to indulge yourself in.

If you have 5 days in Kyiv, make sure to prepare yourself for a day of events and culture in Kyiv on your fifth day. If you are there during the weekends, there are plenty of cool events to attend, from creative flea markets to whatever event is currently happening at Art-Zavod Platforma, one of the largest creative clusters in Ukraine.

You can expect Street Food, Bazaar, White Nights, Tattoo Fest, and music festivals happening at Art-Zavod on any given weekend during the summer months in Ukraine.

You can check the Art-Zavod Platforma event schedule here: Art-Zavod Events and Tickets.

If the creative youth scene is not your thing, you can also spend this day shopping at Khreschatyk street or at the beach (yes, they do have a beach in Kyiv) if you wish. You can find more information on things to do in Kyiv further below.

How Much Money Do I Need for Kyiv?

Kyiv is an inexpensive city to travel in, and it has a wide range of options for you to choose from. Let's break down the approximate cost you might be spending per day. Let's begin with the most important cost: accommodation.

Accommodation: This will cost you around 280 (dorm) - 850 (budget double room) UAH per night, depending on which type of room you want.

Food: For food, it can cost you around 100 - 150 UAH per meal. Spending 150 UAH at Puzata Hata will get you a salad, 2 types of dishes, and a drink, which should be more than enough for a meal.

Transportation: You don't need transportation in Kyiv if you stick to my itinerary, but for the metro, it will cost you only 8 UAH per trip.

Activities: This is where things get expensive. As of 2019, the Chernobyl tour costs a minimum of 100 USD across all travel agencies that provide the service.

Most of the tourist attractions also require you to pay to enter, but thankfully, most of them are pretty inexpensive. This should cost around 20-200 UAH.

With this in mind, you would pay around 600 UAH (23 USD) per day for food and accommodation minimum. You will be spending more if you decide to do more activities.

DO NOT EXCHANGE MONEY AT THE AIRPORT. They are a giant rip-off scam, and you will lose almost half of the money if you do.

Is it Safe in Kyiv?

I felt very safe most of the time when I was walking around Kyiv, even at night, maybe due to the nature of Ukrainians rarely interacting with strangers on the streets. That said, like in most big cities, there is an ongoing scam that you should watch out for when you are in Kyiv.

When I was walking from a train station to my accommodation, there was a guy who rushed off in front of me and all of a sudden dropped a pile of money while acting confused. Years of traveling had taught me not to respond to such random occurrences, so I ignored him and walked away. He did it again, the same way, and I laughed a little and continued walking away.

Apparently, if you react to it, the guy will come up to you and give you half of the money he "accidentally" found and share it with you. Once the money is in your hand, another guy will approach you and claim that he has lost his money and that he will accuse you of stealing it. If you return the money, he will say that some is still missing and will ask to check your wallet. That is when he will empty your wallet and leave you confused and robbed in broad daylight.

Just remember, if you see anyone dropping anything in front of you, just ignore it and walk away. A local told me that it is not in their nature to talk to random strangers while walking on the streets, so if someone approaches you speaking English and asking for something, there is a likely chance that he will try to scam you.

Other than that one scam, I had absolutely no other issues during my 8 days in Kyiv, so you shouldn't worry.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Kyiv?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Kyiv, Ukraine without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Kyiv, Ukraine:

To my surprise, Wi-Fi is widely available in most restaurants, and I have visited a ton of cafes during my time there, all of which had Wi-Fi.

You will also find WIFI in hostels and hotels quite reliable, with fast speed. So, if you are not planning to stay long in Ukraine, you can easily get by without having to buy a local SIM card.

If you will be traveling around Ukraine for a while, I would recommend that you get a local SIM card. You can either get one from Vodafone or Kyivstar. They both offer similar plans with data ranging from 2GB to unlimited, costing between 55 UAH and 220 UAH.

Do not buy your SIM card at the airport. I bought an unlimited data plan from Vodafone for 220 UAH, which is probably overkill, but I made the mistake of buying the unlimited data SIM at the airport, which they claimed is the only one available.

That is not true, as I found out later on. So, if you want to get a local SIM card, buy it directly from an official shop in the city instead of at the airport.

For more information about the Ukraine local SIM card: Ukraine Prepaid Data SIM Card.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

What to Pack for Kyiv, Ukraine?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Kyiv, Ukraine:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Looking for a more comprehensive packing list for Europe? Check out:What to Pack For Europe: The Essential Packing List

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: Tickets.ua (Bus), 12go (Bus) and Tickets.ua (Train) are great places to look for bus and train schedule and buy tickets that would otherwise not have been available online.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

VPN: To stay connected with people at home, I always make sure to have ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and I can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Tiqets is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Ukraine

Looking for more information for your trip to Ukraine? Here are a collection of articles about Ukraine that might help you with your trip planning:

• Looking for a complete backpacking itinerary for Europe? Here is the 3 Months Itinerary for Europe.
• Packing for a trip to visit a region as big as Europe is extremely daunting. Here's a packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe - The Essential Packing List.
• Want to visit Europe in winter? Better prepare for the cold. Here's a winter packing guide to help you: What to Pack for Europe in Winter - The Essential Packing List.
• Ukraine is one of the few hidden gems left in Europe, and in order to see the country and all it has to offer, you will need a complete travel guide. Here is a One Month Itinerary for Ukraine.
• Ukraine has recently loosened up its borders a little for non-European travelers with an E-Visa program. Here is my experience applying for an E-Visa for Ukraine and things I wish I knew before applying.
• Of course, one of the reasons why you are visiting Ukraine is to learn more about the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and what better way to learn about it than to go into the field and see it with your own eyes. Here is a complete guide on how to visit Chernobyl.
• Are you a coffee snob like me? If so, then you will love Kyiv and its unmatched indie cafe culture. Here are 8 best indie cafes you should check out in Kyiv, Ukraine.
• The Tunnel of Love is one of the most photogenic attractions in Ukraine, and it would be a shame to miss it on your trip to Ukraine. Here's a complete guide on how to visit the Tunnel of Love independently.
• Thinking of visiting the Tunnel of Love and not sure where to base yourself out of? I would recommend Lutsk, and here are 8 best things to do that will make you fall in love with Lutsk.
• Lviv is the cultural capital city of Ukraine. It is what St. Petersburg is to Russia, Prague is to Czechia, and Krakow is to Poland. It is the most European city out of all Ukraine, and it has so many things to do that you will need a great guide to navigate it. Here are 10 Best Things you should do in Lviv, Ukraine.
• Lviv is another great city to go cafe-hopping if you love coffee, and here are my Top 10 Cozy Cafes in Lviv that you should check out.
• Getting bored of cities? How about we go and hike some of the stunning trails in the Carpathian Mountains? Here is a complete hiking guide to Yaremche and the Ukrainian Carpathian Mountains.
• One of the most impressive architectural wonders in Ukraine is Chernivtsi National University in Chernivtsi, a remnant from the Austro-Hungarian Empire that still survives today. Here are 7 Best Things to Do in Chernivtsi, Ukraine.
• Kamianets-Podilskyi, an island city home to Kamianets-Podilskyi Castle, one of the most beautiful castles in Ukraine, is a place that seems like it came straight out of a fairy tale and a place that you should not miss. Here’s a backpacking guide and top 8 things to do in Kamianets-Podilskyi.
• Odesa is known as the Pearl of the Black Sea, and in order to understand why, you will need to dive deep into its history and even further down underground into its infamous catacombs. Here is a complete guide on tourist attractions and 8 great things to do in Odesa.
• You may not have heard of Kharkiv before, but once you see what I saw when I was traveling in that city, your mind will be blown away by how beautiful it is. Here are the 10 best things to do in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
• Did you know that Kharkiv is also home to the prettiest metro stations in Ukraine? Here are 8 of the most beautiful metro stations to check out in Kharkiv.
• My words are not convincing you about traveling to Ukraine? How about you see it for yourself with my Ukraine travel video? Ukraine Beyond Travel Video
• Want to know where to go after Ukraine? How about visiting Poland, dropping by Kosice in Slovakia or going bar-hopping in Budapest, Hungary? We have travel guides for those too.
• For all articles about Ukraine, visit Ukraine Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Eastern Europe related articles on my Eastern Europe Travel Guide page.
• You can also see all my Europe-related articles here: Europe Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.