Train Travel in the Ukraine....

[steve057]

Hi Everyone! Just needed a little information since I can't seem to find it on the internet. I met a woman from Poltava in the Ukraine and wondered what would be the best way to get there from Kiev? Only 220 miles south of Kiev but I do not think I would be comfortable driving it. So that leaves the train but I cannot find a price even on their site. Must be a secret! It also doesn't tell you how long it would take to get there. So if anyone here knows this information or at least a good guess please let me know! Thanks!  Steve

[GoodBrew]

Kiev to Poltava train schedules for November 5 as an example.  The days for each train are listed under Schedule. 

http://www.poezda.net/en/route_timetable?st_from=2200001&st_to=2204580&forDate=05-11-2008

[Jack]

Steve057, you go about 220 miles south of Kiev you'll be a lot closer to Mikolaivka that Poltava.

Poltava is more due east of Kiev.

You can use the overnight sleeper train, or one of three daily express trains that run between Kiev and Kharkov that stops in Poltava.

Or you can fly to Kharkov, be met at airport and take the 1 hour and 40 minute drive to Poltava

Going by bus,.....forget it.

[Admin]

Hi Everyone! Just needed a little information since I can't seem to find it on the internet. I met a woman from Poltava in the Ukraine and wondered what would be the best way to get there from Kiev? Only 220 miles south of Kiev but I do not think I would be comfortable driving it. So that leaves the train but I cannot find a price even on their site. Must be a secret! It also doesn't tell you how long it would take to get there. So if anyone here knows this information or at least a good guess please let me know! Thanks!  Steve

Steve,

The only "secret" is that very few seem to be aware of the RWDpedia (hint: look at the horizontal menu of links just below the header at the top of the page).

Once you find the RWDpedia, click on the "Bus and Train Timetables".

As my wife is from the Poltava oblast, I've had occasion to travel to that part of Ukraine more than a few times. Unlike Jack, I prefer the coach buses for a trip of that distance. You can find a reference (from the RWDpedia, above) to the Autolux bus system in English. They have 7 daily trips from Kyiv to Poltava, and the fare is 70 Hr - less than $15. Reservations can be made from the website.

Good luck to you.

- Dan

[docetae]

Hi Everyone! Just needed a little information since I can't seem to find it on the internet. I met a woman from Poltava in the Ukraine and wondered what would be the best way to get there from Kiev? Only 220 miles south of Kiev but I do not think I would be comfortable driving it. So that leaves the train but I cannot find a price even on their site. Must be a secret! It also doesn't tell you how long it would take to get there. So if anyone here knows this information or at least a good guess please let me know! Thanks!  Steve

For train price can change depending of time... the less I have paid 80$ for 4 persons to go to Zaparojje (we were 2 but we wanted to have all place for us) ..the maximum 300$ for Lviv in first class, last minute tickets for 2.

[steve057]

Thanks for all the help!:)) I'll check into a few of them for sure!  Steve

[bgreed]

Have a little adventure on your trip and travel as the locals do by mashrutka bus.
Most are modern that go from city to city.  This is how I travel to Sumy all the time. (Five hours from Kiev) Poltava should be about the same time as it is closer to the main highway that goes to Kharkov.

Oh by the way there is only one potty break between Kiev and Sumy.

[steve057]

        Ouch!! Only one potty break? Guess I better lay off the coffee then!!

[Admin]

        Ouch!! Only one potty break? Guess I better lay off the coffee then!!

bgreed's comment is about the small buses. The large coach buses, such as Autolux, have an onboard toilet. It can get a little challenging with your 'aim' - but if you look at it as a 'sit down operation', there should be no problems at all 

- Dan

[steve057]

Thanks Dan! Yes, I figured he was talking about the smaller buses. Let me ask you is Poltava a nice area? Looks pretty nice from the photos I have seen on the internet. I mean it's not St Petersburg but it's not as big either.
Steve

[Admin]

Thanks Dan! Yes, I figured he was talking about the smaller buses. Let me ask you is Poltava a nice area? Looks pretty nice from the photos I have seen on the internet. I mean it's not St Petersburg but it's not as big either.
Steve

Depending on how you look at it - an "oblast" in Ukraine is the equivalent to a 'state' (or maybe a 'county') here in the US. In the case of Poltava, it is the central city in the Poltava oblast - so a bit like a state capitol.

My travels have not taken me to Poltava city - though I have spent substantial time in Kremenchug, which is within the Poltava oblast, and I have been to many similar-sized cities in Ukraine.

My bet would be that you could easily spend a week in Poltava and have plenty to occupy your attention, even in winter.

As for specific recommendations in Poltava, I will ask my wife (she has family members living in Poltava and has spent a good deal of time there) - and others here may have some suggestions.

- Dan

[kievstar]

Taxi from Kiev airport to Poltava is $170 to $200 usd which maybe a better option depending on when you arrive Kiev airport.  Less than 5 hour drive. 

[Jack]

Unlike Jack, I prefer the coach buses for a trip of that distance.

Dan,  "unlike Jack you prefer coach buses?" 

You have me chuckling.   

By far my favorite form of in country travel is coach buses. It is the most economical, fun way to get from city to city.  And according to many of the guys who travel with us, first-class over night sleeper berths is a distant second. Chartered coach buses is how most of us get to Lugansk, to Dnepropetrovsk, to Nikolaev, to Zaporozhye. It is the coolest way to travel in my opinion.

With regards to the road to Poltava, not one of the best, and having taken autolux and express train, and sending many clients by both means, I have found that bad weather, traffic accidents, road construction effect the bus a lot more than the express trains. The express trains are almost always on time.



http://www.autolux.ua/english
http://www.autolux.ua/english/schedule

[bgreed]

Yes I was speaking of mashrutka bus they hold about twenty people and a very common way to travel from city to city.  They also have a more frequent schedule than the larger auftobus (Think Greyhound) type of bus.

For instance Mashrutkas travel to and from Sumy at least four times a day the auftobus only a couple times a week.

The other advantage is you might get lucky and be squeezed in a seet between to lovely devuska   or on the down side you might be sitting next to to smelly Boris

[dispozo]

We also use the mini-bus.

From Kiev to Rivne about 5 hours with one stop about half-way. Every time we have been in one they have either a movie or a TV show showing. It is really not a bad way to travel.

They can easily be found at the rail-station in Kiev. Your lady can call and make arrangements.

Good luck!!

[docetae]

Dan,  "unlike Jack you prefer coach buses?" 

You have me chuckling.   

By far my favorite form of in country travel is coach buses. It is the most economical, fun way to get from city to city.  And according to many of the guys who travel with us, first-class over night sleeper berths is a distant second. Chartered coach buses is how most of us get to Lugansk, to Dnepropetrovsk, to Nikolaev, to Zaporozhye. It is the coolest way to travel in my opinion.

With regards to the road to Poltava, not one of the best, and having taken autolux and express train, and sending many clients by both means, I have found that bad weather, traffic accidents, road construction effect the bus a lot more than the express trains. The express trains are almost always on time.



http://www.autolux.ua/english
http://www.autolux.ua/english/schedule

It really depend of your height... I am 6ft6 and can not imagine to travel in bus... for overnight sleeper berths, to buy 4 tickets in second class cost less than 2 tickets in 1st... and you will have the same confort..