wi fi in kiev?

[boltar]

Hello guys,

I was wondering if there is any wifi in kiev?  maybe coffee shops or something? i know there are internet cafes. am i able to hook my laptop to it?

[Kuna]

Boltar,

You will find WiFi in some cafe's in Kiev... just look for the Intel logo (from memory it was the same logo as we see in the west... but maybe it was just a sign.)

One place I remember seeing it was a bar/restaurant on Kreschatik called Chateau... or шато (sp?).  It's on the opposite side of the street to, and approximately right across from Kreschatek Metro Station.

I don't know what the costs were but you'd probably buy a prepaid card at the bar or from a phone card seller.

If you go to Chateua have some of the beer brewed upstairs... but don't have too many if you expect to be walking around much at the time... it's got a real kick to it (or maybe it was the homemade vodka that had the kick.... I can't remember)...   

I think one of the coffee shops up near Independence Square had it too... but I'm not sure which one.  It's near Maccas anyway!.

As for connecting your notebook at Internet Cafe's - yes, it can be done. 

I just bought pre-paid dial up cards from the phone sellers though and used the phone in the apartment.  Just keep in mind you have to add a "p" in front of the telephone number for pulse dialing.  Having Internet at your apartment means you can log on to RWD and write Trip Report Updates every day...  HINT HINT!   

Have fun.

Kuna

[alantodd]

Here are some free Wi Fi places that I have used in Kiev:

Hairy Lemon (34 Lesi Ukrayinky, 230-6017).
Babuin (39 Khmelnytskoho, 234-1503).
Kvartira Babuin (1 Horyva, 463-7330).
Antresol (2 Bulvar Shevchenko, 235-8347).
Kupidon (1-3/5 Pushkinska, 279-7171).
Repriza (10/5 Sahaydachnoho, 502-2346).
Planeta Sushi (12 Khreshchatyk, 270-6679).

[Al_C]

Never been to Kiev, but check to see if your hotel offers it or maybe a plugin boradband connection.  Also the airport is a possibility for wi-fi since the ones in St. Petersburg and Novosibirsk both have it.

P.S.  Be careful about transmitting personal information like credit card numbers over a Russian public wi-fi connection.  These are not exactly the most secure internet connections in the world.

[vwrw]

The airport in Kiev has it.

[boltar]

thanks!

ill see what i can do about a trip report.

[Taz]

Another option is to use your mobile phone as a modem. I've used my BlackBerry quite easily there. While not great speeds (100Kbps), it is adequate for email and basic surfing. Price varies according to time (cheaper at night) but I can use it anywhere there is a cell service from my provider.