E-Tickets Ukraine?

[XMan]

Seems I remember someone mentioning difficulty using an e-ticket traveling internally in the Ukraine. 
I'm getting one through Aerosvit.  (What a NIGHTMARE trying to arrange this travel.)  Kiev to Chernovtsy.
Thoughts?
Thanks.

[Ravens9273]

Nothing wrong with e-tickets with aerosvit inside Ukraine. I had done it myself. In fact it was easier. No waiting in lines like other people at the counter.

[johnichka]

Xman,
Been there, done that.  The only problem I had was when the flight was changed from KBP to the City Airport in Kiev. They would not honor an e ticket.  I finally had to purchase a another ticket to fly to Chernivtsi.  Aerosvit did refund my original ticket.  I should state that I did not "check in" at the KBP terminal after I learned that the flight was switched to the local city terminal. I simply followed the crowd onto the bus and went to the city airport.  Had I gone to a ticket counter at KBP and inquired, it may have been different.

Be prepared for a Prop style airplane with people speaking on mobile phones as the plane takes off.  I boarded early and saw the Russian/Ukrainian pilots/Attendents playing cards in the cockpit, smoking and drinking vodka.  As one pilot came out of the cock pit, the cigarette smoke billowed out the cockpit door down the aisle,  I looked at the Pilot as he headed to the toliet - He looked me in the eye and said "Do not vorry - I vill get youve dere".

Good Luck

Johnny

[Ravens9273]

Actually johnichka makes a very good point.
You may want to consider taking a bus or train once in Ukraine.

I had some pretty interesting experiences as well flying within Ukraine on Aerosvit.

first time we were flying from Kiev to Odessa.

Plane went down the runway and we could not build up enough speed for takeoff so we turned around to try again.
The planes are old. You do not even want to know how the seats are. Felt like I was sitting on a toilet seat because the whole cushion caved in.

During the flight the roof panel fell down. A pilot came out with a screwdriver and used it as if it were a hammer and banged the screws back in.

I learned after my flights in Ukraine the reason why Ukrainians cheer and celebrate when they land.

[docetae]

2 years ago I had to go with my etickets to the aerosvit desk, they convert it to a paper ticket... Don't know if this is still needed

[GregfromGa]

A trip to Ukraine is just not the same without an overnight train ride.

[XMan]

My gut reaction is Holy *$#!. 

Couldn't stand a train ride, and know I can't handle a bus.
Now I am QUITE concerned about the flight and think I just blew $200 for no good reason. 
I just got so frickin tired of searching every date and time and city combination trying to get there that I was relieved to finally have a connect the dots path. 

If I could have worked LVIV out I would have.  Much shorter drive / ride.  It was going to be pushing 3 grand from where I'm at.  Just ridiculous compared to $1,200 to Kiev. 

I thought this would be OK.  I flew from Kharkov to Kiev, no problem.  Not a SAAB Turboprop like this flight.  But I wasn't overly concerned about dying a flaming death.

Lovely.

[Gylden]

We used Wizz Air, their planes are like new, no problem, but not sure how many cities they service. (We have only flow inside Ukraine to and from Simferople-Kiev)

[RussianWind]

Couldn't stand a train ride, and know I can't handle a bus.

Arrange a meeting in a bigger city. I am sure she doesn't mind of train journey. She maybe even glad to meet in another city.

[XMan]

Checked Wizz Air.  Good idea.  No flights to Chernovtsy, though.

Arrange a meeting in a bigger city. I am sure she doesn't mind of train journey. She maybe even glad to meet in another city.

Unfortunately she does mind and feels more comfortable meeting someone for the first time in her hometown. 

[GregfromGa]

The beauty and romance of riding a train is there is always a chance that you might share a compartment with a solid backup plan. There is and will always be good looking women riding those trains. The trick is having a big loaf of bread and enough salami and drink to share. Of course there is always the chance that you will have to share the compartment with 3 drunk guys but a quick tip to the cabin steward will always fix that or at least it has in the past,but I'm reading here that times they are a changin over there so maybe I'm wrong.

[Sailor291]

XMan

Since my wife is from Chernovtsy, we have been back to her home town more times than I can remember.  We always take the train.  Took the bus once, wont make that mistake again, was like riding in a sardine can, bounced all the time and took forever.  The train is comfortable, cheap and you can sleep after the long airplane ride.  I have not counted, but, I suspect I have been to Ukraine around 15 times and love the train, looking at the scenery during the ride, visiting with the people on the train, drinking hot tea, etc.  I would recommend you take it. I would however recommend you buy the entire compartment, dont remember the price but it is not that much.  You can lock the door and be comfortable.

[Gylden]

Good suggestion from everyone, I would elaborate just a little more!! 
Buy the whole compartment on the way there and use it for a back-up plan on the way back if things don't work out!!!   

[johnichka]

Xman,

I would not worry about blowing $200 on the flight if you booked through Aerosvit. On the trip I referneced above, I had booked a round trip ticket. I actually did not take the plane back from Chernivtsi and hired a driver to drive from Chernivtsi to KBP.  I simply had to go to an Aerosvit office in the city center of Chernivtsi and they refunded my ticket price for the return portion.

Johnny

[XMan]

Truthfully, have never been on a train of any kind at any time, and assumed the bouncing / swaying / clunking would be an uncomfortable nightmare.  I will reconsider. 

Time from Kiev to Chernovtsy? 

Where do I check schedules / tickets? 

Can it be done online (I assume)? 

I made Herculean efforts to get myself to Kiev in very early afternoon so I could catch the appropriate flight to Chernovtsy. 

Thanks everyone.

[SANDRO43]

Where do I check schedules / tickets?  Can it be done online (I assume)? 

Our RWDpedia (http://www.russianwomendiscussion.com/mwiki/index.php/Bus_and_Train_Timetables) could be a starting point .

[XMan]

Thanks.

I saw the Bus info for Ukraine, and Trains for Russia, but is there an English language site for trains for Ukraine?

Thanks.

[Gylden]

Look here, I have hever used it but it looks ok.

http://ukraine-tours.com/transportation/train-tickets.htm

http://ukraine-tours.com/transportation/train-schedule.php?id=7&city=Kiev

[jaygeo67]

My one and only trip to Kiev on Ukraine Air, I befriended a Ukrainian gent who had somehow smuggled several beers on the the plane and drained several complimentary vodkas and the flight from Amsterdam at 10Am...  It was the only flight I've ever been on where the passenger applauded when the plane landed safely in Kiev...  I've travelled extensively for business throughout the US, Europe and Asia and never had this experience! jay

[XMan]

Thanks much.  Checking those links right now. 

It was the only flight I've ever been on where the passenger applauded when the plane landed safely in Kiev...  I've travelled extensively for business throughout the US, Europe and Asia and never had this experience! jay

I experienced it on both Delta and Aerosvit flights in and out of Kiev (Kiev to JFK, from Amsterdam to Kiev, and from Moscow to Kiev).  A little odd, but whatever.

Every time the UW/UM had to be forced to sit back down by the flight attendants because the plane was not even close to getting to the gate yet.  Funny.