Train from Lviv to Chernivtsi?

[LAman]

OK, thanks much for the input. This dirty trains comment is the sort of direct feedback information I was looking for.

The intercity trains are very new looking and quite fast. All other trains, including overnighters, can be quite unappealing.
The avtolux bus line have very clean buses.

[JensenHealey907]

OK, so one train in the schedule is listed as only taking 3.5 hours to do this trip. Is this most likely one of these cleaner intercity trains?

[Boethius]

No.

[Anotherkiwi]

The only long-distance trains I took were in Russia - overnight from Rostov-na-Donu to Sochi (12 1/2 hours in the company of the loudest snorer I've ever encountered, but who was a really nice guy otherwise), and later from Khosta (south of Sochi) to Krasnodar (6 1/2 hours).  Both very comfortable trips on trains that were definitely clean, although the second was somewhat superior.
 
However, I did go by bus (well, "luxury" coach) from Kyiv to Odessa, and back again a week later (about 6 hours southbound, but nearly 7 going back).  Really comfortable, with great service from the on-board stewardess.  Motorway (freeway) all the way; just a pity that the road immediately south of Kyiv was really bumpy - for 200 kilometres!

[pokerintherear]

I'll put it this way. My husband, who is from Ukraine,

My gosh, you say this in every post as if to add legitimacy to your opinions. Everyone knows already.

It reminds me of Primary candidate, my dad was a mailman, John Kasich   

[pokerintherear]

OP, How much did you pay for the taxi from Lviv to Chernivtsi and back? 

[mhr7]

OK, so one train in the schedule is listed as only taking 3.5 hours to do this trip. Is this most likely one of these cleaner intercity trains?

But the cost is only 300grn and for such a short trip the train would be fine, they aren't that dirty.

[Gator]

My gosh, you say this in every post as if to add legitimacy to your opinions. Everyone knows already.

You and I know this.  But does the OP as he sifts through a range of answers. 

It reminds me of Primary candidate, my dad was a mailman, John Kasich

In a flash, Kasich went from a moderate on the  front row to a "has been."    Has nothing to do with riding trains in Ukraine. 

[Gator]

Different opinions regarding toilets on Ukrainian trains

[Boethius]

The point was not about legitimacy. It was about the usual "well wishers" suggesting the woman had ulterior motives in hiring a car.   

[Hammer2722]

The point was not about legitimacy. It was about the usual "well wishers" suggesting the woman had ulterior motives in hiring a car.

That would definitely depend on how much he paid for the car trip.....

[pokerintherear]

The point was not about legitimacy. It was about the usual "well wishers" suggesting the woman had ulterior motives in hiring a car.

As with you and the "well wishers",  we have some (I'm included) trying to suggest he proceed with caution and not follow the "cliff jumpers" off the emotional mountain.

[Sailor291]

My Ukrainian wife and I have ridden the trains in Ukraine on many many occasions, and will be again in April, Kiev to Chernivtsi.  I find it a very enjoyable and relaxing event after a long Trans-Atlantic flight.  Yes, the trains are old and sometimes not up to Western cleanliness standards, but I always survive unscathed.  I do enjoy looking out the hallway window at the scenery and occasionally waiving at the farmers along the way.   Now, we have on a couple of occasions taken the bus from Kiev to Chernivtsi, I don't recommend that.  Bottom line, don't be afraid of the trains, they are perfectly fine.

[Boethius]

As with you and the "well wishers",  we have some (I'm included) trying to suggest he proceed with caution and not follow the "cliff jumpers" off the emotional mountain.

He is the one who met her.   Not you or anyone else.


The bold are the ones who win in life.

[JensenHealey907]

OK, I have been looking at various Ukraine train videos available on youtube and what I see so far does not look horrible. Except for one video where the person filming said the bathroom was terrible, the rest of the train experience I see does not look that bad. Now I have not seen any videos for the actual Lviv to Chernivtsi train as of yet. Most of the ones I have watched have been Lviv to Odessa trains.

Still researching though.

[calmissile]

I am not sure why all the badmouthing about trains in Ukraine.  I traveled across Ukraine and Crimea via trains and the only issue I remember is that toilet paper in the bathrooms would disappear very soon in the journey.  I always had a 4 person room although in some cases it was only occupied with myself and one other person.

I guess my attitude  being in a foreign country is much more forgiving than some folks.  I don't expect other countries or cultures to cater to my American standards.  If I were to not be accepting of a foreign country, then I should stay home.  Part of the experience is learning and enjoying other cultures.

The only difficulty I had problems with were the toilets that were a hole in the floor and nothing to grip to keep your balance.  The smell of some of the facilities were overpowering but that was a physical response rather than a judgemental one.

Most of train rides I took were overnight or at least long routes.  The long train rides my wife and daughter and I took from Kiev to Crimea were enjoyable and was detailed in one of my trip reports.  I also recall that the women that attend to the passengers were very friendly and attended the restrooms frequently as well as were always bringing tea and taking orders for snacks.   

Not sure if we were just lucky every time, but have no complaints about the train service in Ukraine.  On the other hand I did use a private driver for several trips and is was a least a couple hundred $$$ each.  Unfortunately there was no other means of transportation available.

[JensenHealey907]

Yeah, the private driver I used to bring my lady friend to Lviv and then take the two of us back to Chernivtsi was $180 so that is why I am looking into the train thing.

[HoundDaddyLee]

Yeah, the private driver I used to bring my lady friend to Lviv and then take the two of us back to Chernivtsi was $180 so that is why I am looking into the train thing.

Is that $180 total or each way?


HDL

[Boethius]

According to this, the most expensive vehicle would be about $50 each way. 


http://taxi-cv.at.ua/publ/ukraina/taksi_lvov/mezhdugorodnee_zakaz_taksi_mezhgorod_aeroport_borispol_nedorogo_tsena_price_deshjovoe_taksi_v_lvove/37-1-0-13

[JensenHealey907]

Is that $180 total or each way?


HDL

$180 for the whole trip, there and back
I.E. drive lady friend to Lviv to meet me and then drive both of us back to Chernivtsi

[Bounder]

OK, I have been looking at various Ukraine train videos available on youtube and what I see so far does not look horrible. Except for one video where the person filming said the bathroom was terrible, the rest of the train experience I see does not look that bad. Now I have not seen any videos for the actual Lviv to Chernivtsi train as of yet. Most of the ones I have watched have been Lviv to Odessa trains.

Still researching though.

If you want to take the train, just take it man!  I'm sure the train is completely fine.  Just do it, save money, have a pleasant journey, and take away the first hand experience!  Myself, I wouldn't think twice nor hesitate for a moment.  I've been on all kinds of trains, of various speeds and qualities.  It's much better than a car,  unless you are driving and it's only you and  your special friend

I know it's a Ukrainian train, but I still think it'll be fine.

[Gator]

$180 for the whole trip, there and back
I.E. drive lady friend to Lviv to meet me and then drive both of us back to Chernivtsi

$180 does not seem that expensive considering the driver also served as interpreter.   I hired an interpreter/car in Moscow for my first meeting with my future wife.  It was more expensive than grabbing a taxi; however, the driver was an excellent interpreter and worth the cost. 

My only problem was his condescending advice on the way to the airport.  He warned me, "RW cheat AM."  He gave the example of picking up for an AM his RW, who arrived in Moscow in late November without a coat!  She felt cold so they went to a store where the gullible AM purchased her an expensive coat.  It was their first meeting. 

Returning to my first meeting, he showed me the airport gate where my future bride would arrive.  I went there alone, met her, chatted as much as we could with our language barrier, then walked her to the driver.  The driver's eyes grew big as we approached..   

He spoke for a couple of minutes with her, then turned to me and said, "Gator, you have found a real Russian flower.  You are a lucky man. How did you find her?"

My answer,  "And she is wearing a fine fur coat, so we don't have to go to the coat store."  He chuckled. 

Five days later he picked us up at our flat to return her to the airport.  He was so happy to see the keen interest we had for each other, and he talked my ear off all the way back from the airport to  my flat, remarking that my new friend is a classy lady.  As typical for Russian people, he did not ask personal questions.  I told him little more than she is indeed a fine person, and we planned to meet again in two months. 

[Hammer2722]

$180 for the whole trip, there and back
I.E. drive lady friend to Lviv to meet me and then drive both of us back to Chernivtsi

So, that would be one way correct? You would then have to drive back to Lviv when you returned home. Was that also included in the $180.00?

[JensenHealey907]

No, the trip back to the airport when I left was another $180

[LAman]

No, the trip back to the airport when I left was another $180

Sounds like somebody got the shaft, hope it was properly greased. Jeez, $360???? Wonder what Bo thinks now, 'had ulterior motives in hiring a car'.

I am NOT a big fan of overnight trains, I can deal with most daytime trains. Prefer to fly when inside Ukraine. Jensen, just wondering if you flew into Kiev then Lviv or flew directly into Lviv. BTW- Ivano-Frankivsk(has airport) is half way between Lviv and Chernivtsi.