Planning my trip to Ukraine

[Kineo]

I am trying to create a budget for my first trip to Ukraine. I will be going to Dnepropetrovsk for 9 days in October. I will be staying near city center which should be walking distance for most things. This is what I have good numbers for:
Airfare: $1250
Apartment: $60/night
I am interest in some input on:
Meals: $30/day?
Ground Transportation: $?
Cell Phone: $?
Additional Expenses I should consider?

[Kuna]

I am trying to create a budget for my first trip to Ukraine. I will be going to Dnepropetrovsk for 9 days in October. I will be staying near city center which should be walking distance for most things. This is what I have good numbers for:
Airfare: $1250
Apartment: $60/night
I am interest in some input on:
Meals: $30/day?
Ground Transportation: $?
Cell Phone: $?
Additional Expenses I should consider?

When you say ground transport do you mean Kiev > Dnepr???

If so I reckon the easiest and best way to get there is to actually fly.  About an hour,  ressonable price,  don't waste more time than needed. (aerosvit.com.ua)

If you're on a tight budget the train (6 hours) is $50-$60 I think... maybe $70.  Hard for me to remember because the time difference between the twice I've done it had a huge change in exchange rates.

If you mean "within Dnepr" then you're not going to have to worry about much.  There is a tram that runs from down near European Square right up to the train station - and beyond.  It's cheap (maybe 2 grivna) per trip.

Taxi's are reasonable but if you're staying city centre there will be little need.


As for meals...  it just depends on how and wear you eat.  Personally,  I'd budget more because a dinner at Portofino will be $20 - $25 (with a beer) and lunch at Nirvana in Globu Park (or somewhere similar is going to be $15.

Eating in Dnep isn't cheap but there are less expensive options available if you seek them out.

I have to run now but will post more info tonight when I return.

[Kineo]

Greetings Kuna

When you say ground transport do you mean Kiev > Dnepr???

My flight will actually be to DNK

As for meals...  it just depends on how and wear you eat.  Personally,  I'd budget more because a dinner at Portofino will be $20 - $25 (with a beer) and lunch at Nirvana in Globu Park (or somewhere similar is going to be $15.

Good to know, Thanks
 

[Anotherkiwi]

I am trying to create a budget for my first trip to Ukraine. I will be going to Dnepropetrovsk for 9 days in October. I will be staying near city center which should be walking distance for most things. This is what I have good numbers for:
Airfare: $1250
Apartment: $60/night
I am interest in some input on:
Meals: $30/day?
Ground Transportation: $?
Cell Phone: $?
Additional Expenses I should consider?

Are you planning to eat in or out?  If you're in an apartment, then it should be a given that you have breakfast before you go out, unless you're the type that wants to have it in a cafe watching all the girls go by (but I would think that DPP in October is going to be chilly).  If you can cook, and intend (or hope) to have one or more women come back to your apartment, make sure that you have enough food for you to whip up a "cordon bleu" feast to impress her/them!
 
They may also want to do the same for you, so try to work out how many meals you will eat out and factor in an average price.  If you're by yourself on any particular day, and just sightseeing, you'll be able to get a nice lunch for less than $5.
 
As for a cell phone, the ideal one is an unlocked quad- or tri-band phone which has access to GSM 900 (the Ukrainian standard).  If you have one of your own, all you will need is a Ukrainian SIM card (cheap as chips, top up anywhere).  I had to buy a phone in Russia, so I got a very basic GSM-only model for 800 RUR (under $30 US), and I'm sure that you would get at least as good a deal in Ukraine.
 
As for additional expenses - how much do you want to spend on presents for the women there, and souvenirs for yourself or family back home?  Budget what you think is both realistic and affordable.
 
P.S. Engagement rings are very much in the category of an "additional expense!" 

[XMan]

You'll probably get different feedback from different folks. 
It's also dependent upon your tastes as to how much cash you go through. 

Apartments may vary wildly.  I know of gentlemen who got deals at half what you budgeted, or 50% more as well.  Some like it bare bones.  I like a comfortable place. 

Meals - depends upon who you are feeding, what you consume, and how often you eat out.  I've been in cafes with decent food at $8 per person.  I've also gone into a restaurant where I was surprised by the prices and wound up at $50 per person.  If you speak Russian, or she English, great.  If you need an interpreter, you may be feeding 3 people.  A decent interpreter won't take advantage of you.

Ground Transportation - Different dependent on city.  Not sure about Dnepropetrovsk.  In Kharkov and Chernovtsy it was relatively reasonable.  Cabs were $4-$5 for most trips (within reason, each way).  Subway in Kharkov was really inexpensive, though I cannot recall now.  I think I got 6 tokens for a $1.50.  The electric bus I rode in Chernovtsy was under $1.

Cell phone - many options here.  You can buy an unlocked GSM phone before you head out and get a relatively inexpensive SIM card there.  I bought a phone after I got there, basic model, about $80 I think.  (Had it set up for English language.)  I think I spent about $25 on a SIM card. If you are calling / texting local, it's cheap.  Call long distance back home and you'll burn through cash in a hurry. 

Additional Expenses -
tickets to a concert / event / museum, etc.,  $5-$15 per person. 
Flowers, etc., $12-$35 or more.
Groceries for eating in --- I found costs to be be quite similar to where I live in the USA.  Same for other things you might need, like razor blades, or tissue, etc.
Interpreter - I've paid as little as $5 per hour for an all day scenario, or as much as $15 per hour. 
Internet access - may be "free," or not, with your apartment. There are options but they vary greatly in cost.
Bribes - you never know.  I only had one situation where airport security was trying to get a bribe out of me, but that was in Russia.  I refused to pay and eventually got where I needed, but it wasn't the smartest move.

Check your luggage weight and airlines you are flying on.  It can run you over $400 if you go over, and they will want cash. 

A few suggestions:
Take official taxis.
Keep important things in your carry on. 
Wise to keep a copy of your passport (color photocopy) in your carry on.  If you lose your passport, or it gets stolen, it's far easier to get a replacement at the embassy with an actual copy. 
Carry your passport.  Police / officials can request to see it any time. 

Have fun.
 

[Jumper]

On the phone....
 
A little known deal.
 Your  US *contract* providers must unlock your phone at your request.
So if you have a multi band GSM, that would work in Europe/Ukraine, don't buy an unlocked phone until you call your provider and ask then to unlock it,
YES, they can do so over the phone.
 
No they wil not volunteer this information,
 and wil try to sell you an international plan if you say you are traveling.
stick to your guns, tell them you ARE indeed traveling, you domnt ant theior international plan,  and wish it unlocked.
 
takes three seconds, and then you can then use , your curtent US csim in the US, as always,
 
and any sim chip you buy in Ukraine, Kievstar,Life ,etc
(you can buy *X* number of minutes on them)
Obviuosly you will have a different/ukraine  number.
 
It does work, i have done it, and dint know about this until
  recently, would have saved me some in the past.
 
Good luck.
 
 
 

[ML]

. . . . . call your provider and ask then to unlock it,
YES, they can do so over the phone.
 
. . . . takes three seconds, . . . .

Not saying you didn't do it Jumper, but

Something not adding up here.

The provider cannot do it physically.  It has nothing to do with anything physical the provider has.

It is locked within your physical phone,  not within the providers physical equipment. 

There are a lot of keys and options to be punched into your mobile phone to achieve an unlock . . . not something  that can be done in 3 seconds and, in fact, many  people are not successful in trying to unlock a phone despite getting help from providers or buying unlock codes on the internet.  There are active discussion sites about  this on the internet, with many frustrations and failures written about.

Anyway, quite easy and cheap to buy an unlocked GSM phone on e-bay.  These phones are unlocked by techies who do hundreds a day, so have learned all the tricks.

But don't mess around  with tri-band.  Go for the full quad band as that 4th added band is now used with some GSM transmitters in USA.

[Kineo]

Are you planning to eat in or out?  If you're in an apartment, then it should be a given that you have breakfast before you go out, unless you're the type that wants to have it in a cafe watching all the girls go by (but I would think that DPP in October is going to be chilly).  If you can cook, and intend (or hope) to have one or more women come back to your apartment, make sure that you have enough food for you to whip up a "cordon bleu" feast to impress her/them!
 
They may also want to do the same for you, so try to work out how many meals you will eat out and factor in an average price.  If you're by yourself on any particular day, and just sightseeing, you'll be able to get a nice lunch for less than $5.

Great thoughts. A part of the reason I am going with an apartment is to eat in, at least some times.
 

As for a cell phone, the ideal one is an unlocked quad- or tri-band phone which has access to GSM 900 (the Ukrainian standard).  If you have one of your own, all you will need is a Ukrainian SIM card (cheap as chips, top up anywhere).  I had to buy a phone in Russia, so I got a very basic GSM-only model for 800 RUR (under $30 US), and I'm sure that you would get at least as good a deal in Ukraine.

Thanks,This gives me something to work with.
 

As for additional expenses - how much do you want to spend on presents for the women there, and souvenirs for yourself or family back home?  Budget what you think is both realistic and affordable.

I should bring somethings home for my son.

P.S. Engagement rings are very much in the category of an "additional expense!" 

Yes, good point! But I will leave that expense to a future trip.

[Kineo]

Meals - depends upon who you are feeding, what you consume, and how often you eat out.  I've been in cafes with decent food at $8 per person.  I've also gone into a restaurant where I was surprised by the prices and wound up at $50 per person.  If you speak Russian, or she English, great.  If you need an interpreter, you may be feeding 3 people.  A decent interpreter won't take advantage of you.

Thanks for pointing out an interpreter. I had not thought about that.

Cell phone - many options here.  You can buy an unlocked GSM phone before you head out and get a relatively inexpensive SIM card there.  I bought a phone after I got there, basic model, about $80 I think.  (Had it set up for English language.)  I think I spent about $25 on a SIM card. If you are calling / texting local, it's cheap.  Call long distance back home and you'll burn through cash in a hurry. 

Good info, thanks. When in Ukraine what is the most economical what to call home?
 

Additional Expenses -
tickets to a concert / event / museum, etc.,  $5-$15 per person. 
Flowers, etc., $12-$35 or more.
Groceries for eating in --- I found costs to be be quite similar to where I live in the USA.  Same for other things you might need, like razor blades, or tissue, etc.
Interpreter - I've paid as little as $5 per hour for an all day scenario, or as much as $15 per hour. 
Internet access - may be "free," or not, with your apartment. There are options but they vary greatly in cost.
Bribes - you never know.  I only had one situation where airport security was trying to get a bribe out of me, but that was in Russia.  I refused to pay and eventually got where I needed, but it wasn't the smartest move.

Check your luggage weight and airlines you are flying on.  It can run you over $400 if you go over, and they will want cash. 

A few suggestions:
Take official taxis.
Keep important things in your carry on. 
Wise to keep a copy of your passport (color photocopy) in your carry on.  If you lose your passport, or it gets stolen, it's far easier to get a replacement at the embassy with an actual copy. 
Carry your passport.  Police / officials can request to see it any time. 

Great additional information! Xman, you always come through with the information I didn't know I needing to know.
 

[Kineo]

Your  US *contract* providers must unlock your phone at your request.

Thanks for the info,but since my cell phone is beloing to my employor I don't think I will be messing with it.
 

and any sim chip you buy in Ukraine, Kievstar,Life ,etc
(you can buy *X* number of minutes on them)
Obviuosly you will have a different/ukraine  number.

Are there advantages in any particular carrrier? Would using the same carrier as my lady be helpful?

[Jumper]

Not saying you didn't do it Jumper, but

Something not adding up here.

The provider cannot do it physically.  It has nothing to do with anything physical the provider has.

It is locked within your physical phone,  not within the providers physical equipment. 

There are a lot of keys and options to be punched into your mobile phone to achieve an unlock . . . not something  that can be done in 3 seconds and, in fact, many  people are not successful in trying to unlock a phone despite getting help from providers or buying unlock codes on the internet.  There are active discussion sites about  this on the internet, with many frustrations and failures written about.

Anyway, quite easy and cheap to buy an unlocked GSM phone on e-bay.  These phones are unlocked by techies who do hundreds a day, so have learned all the tricks.

But don't mess around  with tri-band.  Go for the full quad band as that 4th added band is now used with some GSM transmitters in USA.

Most users trying to modify or unlock an existing *contract*
phone are trying to bypass the providers encoding? (yes of course in your phone)
of course that can be troublesome ,and whole web pages dedicated on how to do it.

It shouldn't shock the buying public that providers hide behind a very heavy veil when there may be regulations that require them to unlock one of their phones ,as that not something they wish to be common knowledge.

 It can be removed by the provider,in your phone,  and the encoding can be removed  over the phone line while you are speaking with them.
  I have done this just a few months  before with contract ATT ,phone a  Samsung galaxy S... and a good friend did so through Verizon (although i forget his model phone)
 
 Now, I am unsure the exact regulations regarding this, however i know that they did indeed unlock the phone from my insistence, in moments, and it did work then with other providers.Still does. If you think encoding in  a device ,can't be removed or changed  thru a  phone line or sat. signal this device is dedicated to..
then I  suggest you look into how sat TV and such netwerks function and sell movies/ channels etc.
  It frustrated me actually as i have for years traveled extensively with work, an always bought unlocked phones or paid for various international services,
turns out i did not need to.I'm passing it along, no need to believe or disbelieve ,anyone can try with a simple call to their provider,, what is the loss if it dint work?
a phone call?
and i did advise you must be insistent, they will try anything to not do so.


Yes you can buy a cheap quad band phone to use there ,
 i have done this as well..
and  in the OP's case since his phone is a corporate phone,
he is better off buying one.

There are very inexpensive quad bands for as low as $10 or $12 on ebay..
I've used them , not great quality, but they work and are generally dual SiM card as well, so you can have your US SIM,  in as well as a Ukraine providers SIM at the same time, a nice feature.

[Patagonie]

I'm in Dneper 

Fast train Dneper - Kiev 160 Grv, first class (fast) roughly
Your budget ? You come to Dneper for what, see tranway across the streets ?
Price of the tram : 1.25 grv
Flat : you are ok between 50/60 $
Roundtrip Kiev-Dneper by plane between 150/200 $
About food, depends if you cook or not. Between 100 and 250 grv in restaurant for ONE person.
Buy an inexpensive phone, a sim card and buy for 100 grv of fee and it's done.
Security : i have always with me : all my cash, my passport, a usb key full of informations, and two iphone (my homeland sim card and in the other one the ukrainian sim card, both iphone are replicated so if one break one it rest one)
Be careful if you date extensively, with interpreter and as you have to pay for your date you must take in account that you can easily reach 150 $ per day no include fee's agency. If you use a very expansive terp you can reach 300/400 bucks per day. So it's why i ask you what is the purpose of your travel ?
I strongly not advice you to be short in money when dating, because you will have a very weak frame, which will lower your performance in dating of course, and additionnaly it can be a game over with an FSU woman

[XMan]

Thanks for pointing out an interpreter. I had not thought about that.

Good info, thanks. When in Ukraine what is the most economical what to call home?
 
Great additional information! Xman, you always come through with the information I didn't know I needing to know.

I have a Life SIM.  There is a discount rate for calling back to the USA if you dial 811 prior to area code / phone.  If you straight dial it's serious cash.  Even with the 811, it's not inexpensive, but it is much better.  Sorry I cannot remember cost per minute, though.  Cheapest, of course, would be to Skype back home.  Worked well for me, at least at the locations I was at. 

Some more random information:

Terminal F was very slow for me regarding getting through Customs.  I was glad I had 2 hours.  I had a 9 hour layover traveling into Kiev the last time.  I've mentioned this in several other posts, but I recommend the restaurant on the 2nd floor of terminal B if you have time to kill.  Reasonable prices, free wireless (the only free wireless I could find, but there may be some in terminal F now), traditional Ukrainian food.   

The restrooms in terminal B are on the basement floor, and not much fun if you are hauling luggage around.  There is a restroom on 1st floor of terminal F and A.  Your domestic flight (assuming you are flying to Kiev and then to Dnep) will be out of A.  It's a hike from F to A, but not too bad.  You can usually check in about 2 hours prior to your flight.  The waiting area is small, and seating limited. 

There are some pricey souvenirs after you get through Customs leaving Kiev.  If you forget, or wait until the last minute (ha, like I did once), you can pick up something there to take back with you for whomever.  Check the country it's made in, regardless what you buy or where, as many of what I thought were "traditional Ukrainian" items were made in friggin China.  I found matryoshka dolls actually made in Ukraine when I did some searching.  Found some other traditional things as well. 

If you're flying direct to Kiev from JFK or ATL, that's handy, though I really dislike JFK.  If you fly through Amsterdam, it's quite a nice airport, large but easily navigated, and many English speakers.  Also some interesting and quite expensive souvenirs there.  One of my preferred airports. 

Manlooking, or someone, I'm sorry I cannot recall who, wrote some additional info about terminals and such in Kiev.  Can't help you regarding Dnep since I have not been there. 

Almost forgot, exchanging cash: 
I found them to be quite picky regarding the state of your bills.  In other words, take new money.  Ink marks, tears, etc., and they are likely to be rejected.  Banks will want to see your passport and have you sign off on a receipt.  I have yet to find a single bank where someone spoke English.  Ask for "grivna, pashousta."  The other exchange places won't ask for your passport. 

Call your credit card company before you leave.  Give them exact dates and where you'll be.  I strongly recommend against taking any kind of debit card.  I am still paranoid about using ATM's and I do not do so.  But I have worked in technology and in corporate banking, so I'll leave it at that. 

I strongly recommend going here:

http://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/

Create an account, register your travel info with the feds. 

OK, enough random info.
Safe travels.

[ML]

When in Ukraine what is the most economical way to call home?

Have you seen info on the 'MagicJack?'

This plugs into your computer and works through your internet connection.

It allows you to dial from another country to USA and the system thinks that you are merely calling from USA to USA.

However, it won't work  in reverse.  That is to say you cannot call from USA to another country; for free that is.

[Patagonie]

My credit card looks at me like a good friend, and as i'm a good friend of my credit card also, i never ask any money in Ukraine to a good friend.
And for the moment our friendship stay in the gold age.

[Rubicon]

I am trying to create a budget for my first trip to Ukraine. I will be going to Dnepropetrovsk for 9 days in October. I will be staying near city center which should be walking distance for most things. This is what I have good numbers for:
Airfare: $1250
Apartment: $60/night
I am interest in some input on:
Meals: $30/day?
Ground Transportation: $?
Cell Phone: $?
Additional Expenses I should consider?

I think your budget for meals is probably very low unless you wish to stay in your apartment all of the time cooking for yourself.  I am assuming that you are going there with the wish and intention to take a woman on some dates.  If so, does she need a terp??  That's where it can get very expensive.  Assuming that she speaks English very well and you do not need an interpreter, you still need to take her to nice restaurants if you wish to at all impress her.  If you are not willing to ante up some good money (easily $75 for two people in a nice restaurant and often more for dinner with wine) then it is very doubtful that you will have more then one date with her.

I have found that no matter how careful you plan your budget, there always seem to be unforeseen expenses, so it is a very good idea to have an emergency credit card or emergency cash resource to make sure you can have a good time and make it home safely.

[Patagonie]

I think your budget for meals is probably very low unless you wish to stay in your apartment all of the time cooking for yourself.  I am assuming that you are going there with the wish and intention to take a woman on some dates.  If so, does she need a terp??  That's where it can get very expensive.  Assuming that she speaks English very well and you do not need an interpreter, you still need to take her to nice restaurants if you wish to at all impress her.  If you are not willing to ante up some good money (easily $75 for two people in a nice restaurant and often more for dinner with wine) then it is very doubtful that you will have more then one date with her.

I have found that no matter how careful you plan your budget, there always seem to be unforeseen expenses, so it is a very good idea to have an emergency credit card or emergency cash resource to make sure you can have a good time and make it home safely.

+1

[Rubicon]

Thanks for the info,but since my cell phone is beloing to my employor I don't think I will be messing with it.
 
Are there advantages in any particular carrrier? Would using the same carrier as my lady be helpful?

I would then recommend you to buy a cheap 2nd cell phone at Wall Mart which can be unlocked (one without a contract obviously).  I paid a tech guy $20 bucks at the mall to unlock my phone for me prior to going.  I'm not into long drawn out phone calls with a carrier who might hang up as they really don't want to cooperate.  The whole thought of that approach gives me a headache.

I believe there is an advantage to certain carriers.  I am 99% sure that if your lady has a Life sim card and you get one then you can call back and forth for free.

I've read or been told that Kievstar sim cards have better reception quality but they cost more and I don't know if you can call other carriers for free.

[ML]

I would then recommend you to buy a cheap 2nd cell phone at Wall Mart which can be unlocked (one without a contract obviously).  I paid a tech guy $20 bucks at the mall to unlock my phone for me prior to going.  I'm not into long drawn out phone calls with a carrier who might hang up as they really don't want to cooperate.  The whole thought of that approach gives me a headache.

I believe there is an advantage to certain carriers.  I am 99% sure that if your lady has a Life sim card and you get one then you can call back and forth for free.

I've read or been told that Kievstar sim cards have better reception quality but they cost more and I don't know if you can call other carriers for free.

Some fix-ups needed to your post.

First, bad advice to just say buy a phone at WalMart.  Many (most) people in USA don't realize there is a substantial difference in the transmission services for the various carriers.  Only a phone that works on ATT or T-Mobile will then work in FSU and most other parts of Europe.  GSM systems vs CDMA systems.

Second, calls to others using the same carrier in Ukraine are usually cheaper, not not usually free.

Third, this idea that KyivStar SIM cards have better reception quality again repeats a silly idea that people in USA have and illustrates an ignorance of how mobile phones actually work.  They work off of a signal sent from a tower.  The reception is related to how close you are to a tower.

So when people claim that ATT reception is superior to Verizon (for instance), they don't realize it, but what is happening is they are simply closer to an ATT tower then they are to a Verizon tower.

The same goes in Ukaine.  Be closer to a MTC tower and your reception will be superior to a KyivStar system, and vice versa.

And finally, of course, a 'Kievstar sim card' has zero reception.  It is simply a chip.

[Jack]

  Kineo, I would suggest you re-read everything posted in your thread a couple of times.  A lot of guys have given some very good advice. Passports, carry-on, calling ahead about using credit and ATM cards. A lot of good advice.  I can see that Patagonie is right on with everything he has stated.         
 
 
Now, as ManLooking has addressed a few "fix-ups" I have a few as well.         
 
 ........ I bought a phone after I got there, basic model, about $80 I think.......         
 
At one time I had 27 Nokia phones that I rented to the guys, $20 a month. The guys all had to have a cell phone and if they didn't have one, I had one for them.  Today you can buy a brand new Samsung for $25.   No sense in me keeping rental phones any longer.  A lot of guys think their phone will work and when they get to Ukraine they find out there is a problem.   In this case the guys are buying a basic model Samsung for $25.   Of course guys can spend $150-$300 if they want built in camera and video but for most guys a standard $25 phone is all they need.       
 
 
 ..........I think I spent about $25 on a SIM card.........       
 
Sim card will cost around $5            
 
 
...........Second, calls to others using the same carrier in Ukraine are usually cheaper, not usually free.........         
 
 
Not true with Life.   Although Rubicon felt he was 99% certain, he is in fact 100% correct.  Life to Life is free. Or was a short time ago.  Once Life get's it's market share higher this will probably go away but today many ladies are buying Life sim cards because they can talk to other Life friends for free.       
 
Not sure about B-Line. At one time I think it was free from one B-Line to another B-Line.  Like Life they are trying to build market share and this is how they do it, free calls within the same service provider.       When you call from Kiev star to Kiev star and MTC to MTC the call's are cheaper than if you call another carrier.       
 
I used to think it was crazy seeing so many girls with two cell phones, now many have three cell phones and a few four.   When traveling in Ukraine I now carry three cell phones, a Kiev star, MTC and Life phone.  And I do notice when I take the time to call MTC to MTC, Kiev star to Kiev star, Life to Life, I am buying fewer telephone cards.


Now there were two things I found most interesting to me that I would like to inquire about.         
 
..........Apartments may vary wildly.  I know of gentlemen who got deals at half what you budgeted.........       
 
XMan, if you know of flats in the center of the center of Dnp for $30 a day will you please PM me.               
 
.........If you're flying direct to Kiev from JFK or ATL..........       
 
XMan I had no idea that there were direct flights into Kiev from Atlanta. But that's one of the many great things about RWD, I am always learning of new things.     
 
XMan what carrier has this direct flight?  Is it a daily flight or just certain day's of the week?     
 
 

[Muzh]

Kineo, I just returned from Kharkiv. I could have bought, and I shoulda (kicking myself in the a$$), a newest generation iPhone 14GB unlocked for about $220. Of course, these are knock offs from where they make the real thing. Actually, as I was told, they are the real thing, just in contraband form. Being displayed as the star of the show at every phone kiosk and Apple can do diddly about it.
 
SIM cards. Kievstar is the most expensive, but also the most reliable. $25 on a card will allow you to call the US on a regular basis. Just make sure you dial the special number to get the special rate. Life; well, you get what you pay for. In the scheme of things the prices are relative; for an American.
 
Ground transportation like cabs are around $5. That's a fortune to the locals. If you speak American, then the regular price is $50.
 
Enjoy and looking forward to your TR.

[Jack]

SIM cards. Kievstar is the most expensive, but also the most reliable.

         
 
 
Muzh, let me say from my personal experience, and phones, as well that of many others as expressed to me,  Kievstar is very reliable in Kiev, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk but once you get to other cities and regions, such as Donestk, Lugansk, Pavelograd, Kremenchug, Vinnitsa, Lviv, Nikolaev, Kherson, Crimea and most the cities in-between MTC has much better reception and reliability.

[Muzh]

Jack, I would not even dream to try to refute you, bud. 
 
That's correct, my info is only for Kharkiv.
 
BTW, should have been there for that pivo. Had a great time. Next time.

[Patagonie]

Kineo, I just returned from Kharkiv. I could have bought, and I shoulda (kicking myself in the a$$), a newest generation iPhone 14GB unlocked for about $220. Of course, these are knock offs from where they make the real thing. Actually, as I was told, they are the real thing, just in contraband form. Being displayed as the star of the show at every phone kiosk and Apple can do diddly about it.
 
SIM cards. Kievstar is the most expensive, but also the most reliable. $25 on a card will allow you to call the US on a regular basis. Just make sure you dial the special number to get the special rate. Life; well, you get what you pay for. In the scheme of things the prices are relative; for an American.
 
Ground transportation like cabs are around $5. That's a fortune to the locals. If you speak American, then the regular price is $50.
 
Enjoy and looking forward to your TR.

Interesting information,
and what happen when try to connect this iphone to itunes, because you are entering your imei to Apple who can easily check it. After the question is : what happens if you are violating the law, knowing your IP and many informations ?
You keep your iphone just in FSU ? I want to know how you handle this. Sincerely Pat.

[Patagonie]

         
 
 
Muzh, let me say from my personal experience, and phones, as well that of many others as expressed to me,  Kievstar is very reliable in Kiev, Kharkov, Dnepropetrovsk but once you get to other cities and regions, such as Donestk, Lugansk, Pavelograd, Kremenchug, Vinnitsa, Lviv, Nikolaev, Kherson, Crimea and most the cities in-between MTC has much better reception and reliability.

I confirm what Jack is saying as i had had problem with network two years ago in Vinnitsa, i can also say that in Russian wife's best friend has at least two or three mobiles with her, you are never sure that you will have connection. Here in Ukraine you must also realize that there is no vocal box. So you can only drop a SMS. Also it can happen, even in Europe that the BTS is full and you cannot hand over to an others. The number of connection per BTS is limited.