r/VisitKyiv

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? 👇

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.

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