Travel questions about Ukraine

[Gylden]

I have two questions.

1. I heard that if you are traveling with your wife (Ukrainian of course) you can use the immigration line for Ukrainian citizens. Does anyone know if this is correct?

2. Has anyone stayed at the hotel Impressia in Kiev?

spasibo!
 

[GregfromGa]

1. I've been to Ukraine a number of times with my wife and I've never tried using that line. I would venture to say that if your plane lands by itself there will not be that much of a difference. I've been filling out the same document for 8 years. The top part is exactly like the bottom part. Passport#,address,etc.Those guys and gals that sit in those little booths take their jobs very serious. I know this by the look on their faces.

2. Never heard of Hotel Impressia. I do know that hotels in Kiev are very expensive as compared to other things. I dont have to tell you that an apartment would be better served.

[Turboguy]

I have to say about the same.   I was probably in Kiev 15 times and never used anything except the line for foreigners.

I have also never heard of the Impressa.  I stayed at the Rus, the Dnepro, the Krashatik and an out of the way Intourist hotel in Kiev.   I liked the Rus the best, and disliked the Krashatik (although it is central) and the Intourist.  I too would vote for an apartment.  I stayed in a half dozen apartments all in the center and all far more convienent and comfortable than the hotels. 

[Simoni]

I agree with Turbo and Greg.   The line moves very quickly at both stops, so just use the correct line.

My hunch is that you can't go with your wife, at any rate.  It is a black and white world there (unless greenbacks come into play. :-)

[Gylden]

Thanks guys for the reply, I was asking about customs, because I watched some people do it and I read something can't remember where though, anyway when we were through immigration there were plenty of people in my line and NONE of them had their papers in order, lol in fact they came and took away several while I was waiting. Meanwhile my wife went though and was able to get our bags and still had to wait for me. I am going to try next time just to test it.
We stayed at the Impessa (near metro poshtova ploshcha), I liked the location and they had very nice rooms, just they had me laughing with all of their mafia bit, plenty of attempts to get me a taxi (their own private) and restaurants with strong recommendations and well plenty of stories, it was really funny. We were only there for a couple of nights because our destination was Yalta.

[BillyB]

1. I heard that if you are traveling with your wife (Ukrainian of course) you can use the immigration line for Ukrainian citizens. Does anyone know if this is correct?

You can use that line since passport control for Ukrainian citizens can check your documents on their computer too. I was there and the line was short for Ukainian citizens while long for foreigners and they told some of us, including me, to move over to the citizen's line.

Go ahead and try it Gylden. What's the worse that can happen? Turn you away or take you into the next room, put on a rubber glove and tell you to bend over? Some people pay for that kind of entertainment.