Ukraine
Kyiv's golden-domed monasteries have stood through centuries of upheaval, Lviv's old town carries a distinctly Central European character, and the Carpathians offer wooden churches and high summer meadows. Since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022, travel here has been shaped by war, so check the FCDO advice closely before considering any trip.
Overview
Ukraine is the second-largest country in Europe, and its map divides roughly into a western region shaped by Polish and Austro-Hungarian history and a vast centre, south and east of steppe and great rivers. Before 2022, a first trip usually paired Kyiv's monasteries and boulevards with Lviv's coffee houses, linked by a fast or overnight train, then added Odesa's Black Sea seafront or a loop through the west: the fortress town of Kamianets-Podilskyi, Habsburg-era Chernivtsi and the Carpathian villages around Yaremche.
Since the full-scale invasion, any visit needs careful thought, up-to-date FCDO advice and suitable insurance, and conditions can change quickly. Ukraine has long been excellent value, with cheap trains, superb cafés and a restaurant scene that has grown fast. People are warm, direct and proud, and many younger Ukrainians speak good English. Expect slick digital services, with contactless payment almost everywhere, alongside Soviet-era infrastructure. Those who visit are often struck by how determinedly Ukrainian cities keep their cultural life going.
Map of Ukraine
Top 5 highlights
- 1Sacred site
Kyiv Pechersk Lavra
Founded in 1051, this cave monastery above the Dnipro mixes golden-domed churches, a 96-metre bell tower and candlelit underground passages lined with the mummified remains of monks.
- 2Architecture
Lviv's old town
A UNESCO-listed tangle of Renaissance merchants' houses, baroque churches and cobbled lanes around Rynok Square, best enjoyed slowly from its famous coffee houses, chocolate shops and cellar bars.
- 3History
Kamianets-Podilskyi
A storybook castle on a rocky spur guards an old town almost encircled by the Smotrych river canyon. Climb the towers, walk the canyon rim, and stay overnight to see it all lit up.
- 4Nature
Carpathian Mountains
Hoverla, Ukraine's highest peak at 2,061 metres, crowns the Chornohora ridge, a summer hiking area of meadows and shepherds' huts. Base yourself in Yaremche or Vorokhta, and look out for wooden Hutsul churches.
- 5Architecture
Chernivtsi University
The former Residence of Bukovinian and Dalmatian Metropolitans, a fantastical red-brick complex with patterned tiled roofs, now houses Chernivtsi University and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Biggest cities
Kyiv
St Sophia's Cathedral, the Pechersk Lavra, St Michael's golden domes and the steep Andriivskyi Descent anchor a green, hilly capital with a thriving café and arts scene.
Kharkiv
A big university city near the Russian border, known for the Constructivist Derzhprom building on vast Freedom Square and its energetic culture; check the FCDO advice before considering it.
Odesa
The Black Sea port of the Potemkin Stairs, a grand opera house and a UNESCO-listed historic centre, famed for its humour, Jewish heritage and seaside summers.
Populations are pre-2022 estimates; displacement since the full-scale invasion has changed them considerably.
When to go to Ukraine
Best time: May–Sep.
Average climate in Kyiv
Festivals & events
- Jan, DecChristmas in Lviv
Since 2023 Ukraine has celebrated Christmas on 25 December; Lviv's market, vertep nativity plays and roaming carol singers make the western city the place to see it.
- Apr–MayEaster (Velykden)
Baskets of painted pysanky eggs and paska bread are blessed at dawn church services, followed by spring songs and games, especially in Lviv and western villages.
- Jun–JulIvana Kupala
Midsummer night brings flower wreaths floated on rivers, bonfire jumping and folk rituals, most atmospheric in the countryside and at open-air museums such as Pyrohiv near Kyiv.
How much does Ukraine cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Borscht
Beetroot soup with cabbage, potato and often beef or pork, served with sour cream and garlicky pampushky buns; its cooking culture was UNESCO-listed in 2022.
Varenyky
Half-moon dumplings stuffed with potato, cabbage, curd cheese or sour cherries, boiled and served with sour cream and fried onion.
Salo
Cured pork fat, sliced thin and eaten on rye bread with garlic: a Ukrainian staple that tastes far better than it sounds.
Getting around
Ukrzaliznytsia, the national railway, is the way to travel: Intercity+ day trains and overnight sleepers link Kyiv with Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv and western towns, with tickets sold through its app. Ukrainian airspace closed to civil flights in February 2022, and since then most visitors have arrived by train via Przemyśl or Chełm in Poland, or by coach. In cities, Uklon, Bolt and Uber cover taxis, and Kyiv's metro is fast and cheap.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CF230V — bring a UK-to-C/F adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +380
- Time zone
- UTC+2 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Not safe — drink bottled or treated water
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Leave around 10 per cent in restaurants and cafés if service is not included; round up taxi fares and tip guides.
- Etiquette
- Use Ukrainian names and greetings – Kyiv, not Kiev – rather than defaulting to Russian. Remove shoes in homes, women should cover their heads in Orthodox churches, and give flowers in odd numbers.
- Main airports
- Boryspil International Airport (KBP), Kyiv; Lviv Danylo Halytskyi International Airport (LWO), Lviv; Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport (RZE), Rzeszów — across the border
Visas & entry for Ukraine
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
British Citizen passport holders can enter Ukraine without a visa for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Ukraine has confirmed that this policy will continue to apply to British citizens until 30 January 2027.
If you’re planning to stay in Ukraine for longer than 90 days in a 180 day period, you need to get a visa. For more advice contact the Ukrainian Embassy in London or Consulate General in Edinburgh.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTick-borne encephalitisTuberculosisTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Useful phrases in Ukrainian
| English | Ukrainian | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Добрий день | DOB-ryi den |
| Thank you | Дякую | DYA-koo-yoo |
| Please | Будь ласка | bood LAS-ka |
| Excuse me | Вибачте | VY-bach-te |
| How much is this? | Скільки це коштує? | SKIL-ky tse KOSH-too-ye |
Know before you go
- Read the FCDO travel advice before considering any trip, and check that your insurance specifically covers Ukraine; many standard policies do not.
- Book train seats early on the Ukrzaliznytsia app or website; popular routes, especially trains to and from Poland, sell out quickly.
- Contactless card and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere, even in small cafés and on public transport, but carry some hryvnia for markets and rural areas.
Ukraine travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Ukraine?
The best time to visit Ukraine is generally May–Sep. Peak months are May, June, July, August and September. Average highs in Kyiv range from -1°C to 26°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Ukraine cost per day?
Roughly £30 a day on a tight budget, £70 mid-range and £150+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Ukraine?
Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH).
What plug type does Ukraine use?
Type C and F sockets at 230V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Ukraine?
Traffic drives on the right in Ukraine, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Ukraine?
Not safe — drink bottled or treated water.
Do I need a visa for Ukraine?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: British Citizen passport holders can enter Ukraine without a visa for visits of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Ukraine before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Ukraine?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A and Tetanus for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies, Tick-borne encephalitis, Tuberculosis and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
