Getting around while in Europe

[purpletib]

For those of you whom have been to the Ukraine, etc.  What did you use for transportation on your trip?  I glanced at a car rental, and it would cost almost as much to rent a car for 2-3 weeks as the airfare!  Any suggestions?  I'd like to start way in advance for planning a trip.  My heritage is in Vilnius, Lithuania and I figure, why not try to meet some beautiful women while I am over there?  Any imput is greatly appreciated.

[Mir]

Are you travelling in Lithuania or Ukraine?
Which international airport you fly to?
Which cities do you plan to visit?

[Donhollio]

Forget driving a rental car, the risks and headaches are not worth it. I've been down more than a few UA roads, and I can tell you the drivers almost always get lost enroute. If your going to big or small cities than it'll be easy. But if your trying to drive to a small village, forget it ! The signs (if any) are not easily found.

 Take the train ,slow cheap and you arrive at your destination at the worst times. Usually in the wee hours of the morning,but you arrive alive which is more than I can say for the way they drive on the highways.
Flights are another option,however most domestic flights don't fly direct. You need to go to Kiev and than onto your destination. It'll take you approx 8 hours to fly a 1 hour flight.
Summer schedules are better ,but still don't expect the many flights per day that your accustomed to.  The rules are quite lax as well,last summer I had the row of seats to myself,so I sprawled out . No one came to tell me we were about to land,and when the plane hit the ground I was tossed about slightly. It was at this point I signed and new I was in Ukraine !

[purpletib]

Well, this will be most likely 2 years down the road.  that gives me time to finish my degree, and learn some Russian in the process.  I just like to plan things out WELL in advance.  I would be flying into Vilnius to play tourist (my ancestor was the founder), then commuting to the Ukraine while possibly making a couple stops in Belarus on the way, depending on if I am writing any women there.  I plan on going with the WMVM method, starting to write 3-5 months in advance. 

This is actually something that has interested me for about five years.  Then I was laid off after 9/11 trickled down.  Since then I have gone back to school, and soon as my life is back on full track I'll be pursuing this.  I was thinking a train may be a good option.  What are the thoughts on a cab once you get as far a a train will take you, for example to a smaller town?  Any input is appreciated.  I love all the knowledge I'll be able to gain over the next couple of years from this forum in preparation for the journey of a lifetime!