u/lenkarezidivistka

Find your nearest shelter before you ever hear a siren. Sounds obvious, but there's a catch most first-time visitors don't expect: knowing the address isn't the same as knowing where to go.

A shelter can be the basement of an ordinary residential building, and the entrance isn't always easy to spot. To stop vandalism, some shelters are kept locked and open only when an alert actually starts.

Walk over to the nearest shelter beforehand, find the entrance, and you're set. And don't be shy about asking people around to help you find shelter (that's the reality).

A few things to know:

• shelters range from big underground spaces to tiny basements, so don't grab everything you have with you, just a backpack
• some have benches, so better bring a mat
• grab your docs, water, clothing, portable charger
• animals are allowed in shelters

I'm dropping the shelter map (nearly 3,000 shelters, official data, works in English) plus more on how to read it in the comments.

Ask anything below.

These small but important details are worth keeping in mind. 

• The curfew in Kyiv and the Kyiv region is in effect daily from 12:00 a.m. to 5:00 a.m.; if your train or bus arrives during these hours, you need to be prepared for it. 
• There may be power outages. It’s a good idea to check the outage map to see when they’re expected in your area.
• On your first day, buy a local SIM card. You don’t need a passport to purchase one. 
• You can exchange money at official exchange points or banks and withdraw cash from an ATM. Note: You can bring up to €10,000 (or the equivalent in another currency) into Ukraine without declaring it.

What other practical information would you like to know before arriving?

This question comes up all the time. 

I interviewed the incredible Sara and Hiroki from the band Heavenphetamine and asked them this question in particular. Is it ethical to visit a country at war?

They said that after the full-scale invasion began, their friends in Ukraine messaged them, asking them to come. At the same time, acquaintances living outside Ukraine said it was unethical to celebrate in a country at war. 

My honest take: there’s a real difference between solidarity tourism (spending time and money in a living city, with respect) and war tourism.

One supports people, the other exploits them. What do you think: where does the line between these two concepts lie?

Hey everyone! Are there people here who traveled to Kyiv from Europe or from across any border? I'm curious how you actually got here, because there are no flights, and I understand that makes it super complicated.

For those of you who've made the trip: how did you do it? Which route did you take — Warsaw, Kraków, Budapest, somewhere else? Train, bus, horses (kidding), a mix? And what was hard about it? What caught you off guard? What information did you wish you'd had and just couldn't find anywhere?

I'm asking because we want to put together a proper, detailed guide with real advice. So the more honest your answer, the better!

And if you're planning the trip right now and feeling stuck, drop your questions too. Someone may be through it and will help you.

So: how did you get to Kyiv, and what would you tell someone doing it for the first time? 👇

My DM is filled with the same questions: what do I do if I hear a siren, do I close the windows, where do I hide, what should I do? So locals here put together a proper guide. This is the Reddit-length version of it; the full thing (with the stuff too long for a post) is linked in the comments. 

The essentials: 

• Two walls rule: if there's no shelter nearby, get somewhere with two solid walls between you and the street (exterior/load-bearing, not thin partitions), away from windows. 
• Windows: a lot of locals tape theirs with wide clear tape or masking tape, in a grid pattern; it cuts down on flying glass. 
• During the attack itself: get low, near an interior load-bearing wall, protect your head, stay away from windows. If you're outside, get down and cover your head, move to shelter if you can. 
• Go-bag basics, if you're staying more than a couple days: passport/ID copies, some cash, a printed list of important contacts, a portable charger, a flashlight, water, and any meds you need.
• After it's over: check around you for glass, exposed wires, or a gas smell before you relax. Don't touch anything. 
• Don't post real-time location, photos of strikes, or anything about air defense data in your area while it's happening.

If you've been through an alert here, add what you'd tell a first-timer.

https://preview.redd.it/a69kuig9yyhh1.png?width=4590&format=png&auto=webp&s=2733a620fe3635e5354a85017c668357d200fa04

This is what scares visitors the most, even before they arrive. An air raid alert means there's a possible air, missile, or drone threat. You'll hear sirens all over the city, that sound means “danger”. Most locals use free apps Tryvoha! or Kyiv Digital, which send push notifications as soon as an alert goes off. It's really worth downloading one before you arrive, when the first alarm sounds, it's the most helpful thing you can do to avoid being caught off guard.

What locals do varies from person to person. The official advice is to go to a shelter (subway stations, underground parkings, and basements) and take all your essentials with you. If you're in an area without a nearby shelter, the basic rule is the “two-walls rule” — put two solid exterior or load-bearing walls between you and the street, and stay away from windows.

I'm keeping the fuller version with a shelter map, more on safety rules, and things you should pay attention to when you hear an air alarm in the comments.

Ask anything below.

I got so many dms like “I have three days in Kyiv, what should I do?” And I send almost the same list, so I'm now presenting it. These are the places I actually recommend.

I actually take people. St. Sophia Cathedral, a walk through Podil, K41 (if you're into that Bassiani-Berghein scene, and the flea market at Pochaina if you like digging through actual local stuff instead of standard souvenirs.

Ask me to go deeper on any of these. 

Hi, I’m Olena. I’m from Kyiv, and I split my time between Ukraine and Portugal. Lately, I’ve been answering the same questions over and over from people planning to visit my fav city, Kyiv. So we’ve created a special place for that.

This subreddit is for foreigners visiting Kyiv, moving here, or just wanting to understand what Kyiv is like right now.

Some live here, some have been. Some of you are nervous about your future trip to Kyiv (I can understand that). All of that belongs here.

A few things you should know:

• Ask “silly” questions. Is it safe here? What happens during an alarm? Is it even possible to get here? How do people live like this? No one here will think you’re stupid for asking; this is responsible and respectful towards the war context of the locals. 
• We’re honest; we won’t tell you that Kyiv is just a regular vacation spot. Together with that, we won’t picture life in the city as a disaster movie. This is a real city — coffee shops, restaurants, hospitals, schools are open, the subway runs, people fall in love and go to work, which is in a state of war. 
• There’s a website run by residents themselves, where you can find more on travel to Kyiv. But this subreddit is meant for chatting and sharing experiences.
• Use tags when posting. Check out the rules, please.

We’re glad you’re here! What brought you to Kyiv, or why are you planning to visit? 👇 

Welcome to r/VisitKyiv 👋

This is a space for anyone who's coming to Kyiv (or thinking about it) and wants the real picture and tips from locals. 

Whether you're planning a trip, already here, volunteering, relocating, or just following the city from afar, you'll find people who actually live here and travelers who've been here.

What you'll find:
— Answers on safety, air alerts, and how things actually work day to day
— How to get to Kyiv (borders, trains, buses)
— Where locals eat, drink coffee, and spend their weekends
— What actually makes Kyiv feel different from other European cities
— Honest trip reports from people who've been
— A calm, respectful place to ask the "is this a stupid question?" questions

What this isn't: a travel agency, a tourism board, or a "come visit!" campaign. Kyiv is a city at war. We don't tell anyone to come; we help people who've already decided to stay informed and feel welcomed. 

Be kind. Be useful. Ask anything.