Kiev travel guide

Dear visitors!

We are happy to propose to your attention Kiev travel guide, which will help you to visit the greatest places of the oldest Slaviс capital – central city of Kiev Rus.

It doesn't metter what kind of transport you used to come to Kiev. In all cases you will find yourself not far away from the center of the city, where you can find a lot of historical sights, epic buildings, stately cathedrals, parks, legendary old-Kiev hills, famous river Dniper woth its green isles and many others.

Kiev is calles «The city of gold domes and flowering chestnuts». And if you’ve found yourself in the capital of Ukraine you have to visit 5 main sights: Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, St. Andrews Cathedral, Museum of Great Patriotic War, Sofia cathedral, and Gorodetskiy’s House with Chimeras. But surely there are a lot of sights in Kiev you just can’t visit during one day. That’s why firstly you have to plan your excursion around the most legendary places of the hero-city Kiev.

You can use metro to reach the city center. Kiev metro has three lines and the longest period of work comparatevely to other kinds of urban public transport.

If you've arrived to Borispol airport it will be batter for you to go to Kiev usinf Sky Bus buses. That is very cheap regular transfer to Borispol airport. Boarding on Sky Bus buses is executed near all Borispol passenger terminals B, D, F. It is very comfortable, especially if you are arriving to Kiev with a lot of baggage. The time of the journey from Borispol to Kiev is about 50 minutes if there will be no traffic congestions.

Sky Bus shuttle buses are ariving to South terminal of Kiev Central Railway station, which is the bigest transport node, which is situated near the central districts of the city, in two stops from if to travel by metro.

Kiev South railway station is situated in 4 km from the center of the city. SkyBus buses are arriving to the South terminal of the railway station. This is a large transport node – in the same place are situated international railway terminal, local train station and also “Kiev” bus station from which buses around Ukraine and international buses to Europe are arriving.

Kiev city guide

This is the place you can start Kiev rewiev from. The most beautiful places of the city are cituated in the center and there are a lot of walking routes which will give you the possibility to visit all sights during one or two days.

The Kiev is situated on the hills, so you have to take it into account rellief pacularities, hills, ups and downs to make sure your travel will not be to much tiring.

It is better to start from the central street of the city – Khreschatik and central city square – Independence square. Famous Bessarabian market and a lot of shops are situated in the end of Khreschatik. And under Indendece square you can find trade center «Globus».

You can go for a walk from Khreschatik street to Khreschatiy Park, which is situated on the edge of the hill, high above Dniper river, a little bit higher is situated Mariinskiy Oark, and also to see Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, whic os situated on the other end of Pechersk. For this you have to go down to the metro and to go to «Arsenalna» square – the deepest metro station in the world.

It is better ti start the excurtion from visiting Kiev-Pechersk Lavra and World War the Second Museum. They are situated close to each other.
In the same place there is a stop of a few kinds of passanger transport. That is why there will be no problems to reach any other sights or even other disrticts of the city.

Kiev-Pechersk Lavra is the bigest museum complex, which can be found in UNESCO World Heritage. The territory of Pechersk Lavra is divided into two parts: Upper Lavra with Upper Caves and Lower Lavra with Lower Caves. Also the territory is divided by fence and separate gates. One of the oldest cathedrals of Kiev Rus is situated on its territory. It is Uspenskiy cathedral and you also have to visit it.

After you've visited the Caves Monastery, the National Museum of the Great Patriotic War of 1941 - 1945, Monument of Mother Motherland, and other interesting places then go towards the center of the city or you can take a bus and drive one stop. You can visit the Park of Glory and the monument to the victims of the famine. Also in the Park of Eternal Glory has the largest viewing platform from which you can see almost the entire left bank of the Dnieper, residential areas of the city on the left bank of Kiev and it residential areas.

Further, having almost half a kilometer, you can visit the Mariinsky Park and the Mariinsky Palace, which was built for the daughter of Peter the Great. Next is Groin Park and slope to the Dnieper. Going further and descended the stairs down to the Arch of Friendship of Peoples can visit an amusement park, and then you can go out to the street Khreschatyk, on the international space.

To continue the tourist route you need to climb the hill Starokievsky, but for it needs to go through the underpass and climb the Three Saints Street, past the National Museum, "Ukrainian House".

Went up the hill you can visit the park, which is located behind St. Michael's Cathedral in which there is a magnificent square review. Then you can go to Kiev funicular to pass on to St. Michael's Square, walk on St. Michael's Cathedral, the Monument of the Three Saints - Princess Olga, and after that with Michael's Square is visible Sophia Square, which is located very close.

You should visit the St. Sophia Cathedral, the museum complex as it is one of the most ancient temples of Kiev. In the bell tower of St. Sophia Cathedral you can go on a tour to admire from height on the cityscapes.

Further hiking goes to the monument "Golden Gate" then you need turn back to St. Michael's Square and go left along Tithe Street so you will come to group of showplaces: Tithes, Landscape alley, the Historical Museum, the foundation building "Prince's Palace," the chronicle-stone monument with the inscription "from here have gone Russian land". Then you need to go down to St. Andrew's Cathedral, in which you can go to a paid tour with a visiting the observation platform.

Then all walking tours going down to historic district of Kiev industrialists and traders - Podol (Podil/Hem). At the Podil is River port - Kiev River Port to which you need to go 2 blocks along the Sagaydachny Street. From St. Andrew's Church - the Cathedral of St. Andrew Street leads to Andrew's Descent, which is the most famous street "Old Kiev", and after Andrew's Descent is possible to visit attractions of Podil (Lower Town).

At the Podil is very classical architecture of the buildings and facades, and the district is historically valuable part of such ancient city as Kiev, which total more than 1,500 years of history. Although historical data base of Kiev belongs to the past millennium.

On the Podil are all kinds of public transport, so you will not have difficulties to further travel through the city.

It's best to going to the central train station on the metro, from which offers bus to the Boryspil airport, long distance intercity buses and international buses from Kiev to other cities and countries, and it is very close to trolley stop, which takes you to the Kiev City Airport "Kyiv".

Kiev city - is the main transport hub of passenger transport in Ukraine. Buses leave from Kiev in most European countries and cities. By train you can reach to Russia, Europe and even in Eastern countries and to Asia.

If you suitable air transport, you can buy airline tickets from airports in Kiev, which will in a few hours to fly to the most remote cities in Europe and Asia, and charter flights to allow countless Ukrainian travelers fly to the most exotic country in which there are no regular flights from Boryspil.

We hope you enjoy your time in Kiev - the ancient capital of Kievan Rus, and we from our side take care of the ticket sales service for all types of passenger vehicles.

Transport in Kiev

Kiev Central Railway Station in Kiev

Address: 1, Vokzalna ploscha (Station Square). Near the metro station "Vokzalna". Help desk phone numbers: 38 (044) 5037005, 38 (044) 5036050 - reference desk.

Rail Station is located near the central districts of the city.

South Railway terminal - located near the Central railway station and you can reach it if you go to the upper transition over the railroad tracks. A pedestrian walkway connects the two stations building.

Suburban railway station is to the right of the central railway station.

Kiev Central Bus station

How to get to the Central Bus station in Kiev:

Bus station address: prospekt Nauki (Avenue of Science) 1/2.

Located on the "Moscow square".

Located near the metro (subway) station "Demiyiivska" (Demeevskaya).

Phone number in Kiev: +38 (044) 525-57-74.

You can buy tickets on the web-site.

Other bus station in Kiev:

Volodymyrska Bus station – address: Vladimiro-Lybidska street, 25, phone: +38044 269-7293

Darnytsya Bus station - address: Gagarina street, 1, Kiev, phone: +38044 559-4618

Dachna Bus station - address: Peremogy avenue, 142, Kiev, phone: +38044 424-1503

Podil Bus station - address: Nizhniy Val street., 15-а, город Kiev, phone: +38044 417-3542

Polesye Bus station - address: Shevchenko squear., 2, Podol, Kiev, phone: +38044 430-3554

Pivdenna Bus station - address: Akademika Glushkova str., 3, Kiev, phone: +38044 257-4004

Kyiv Bus station near the central railway station - address: Vokzalna sq. 1.

Kiev city airport

Municipal Enterprise Kyiv International Airport (Zhulyany) Povitroflotskyi prospect 79, Kyiv, Ukraine, 03036.

Phone numbers: +380 (044) 585-72-54; (044) 339-25-75.

Kyiv airport getting

To reach the airport «Kyiv-Zhulyany» can be a trolleybus No. 8a, from the metro station "Lev Tolstoy" (this is two blocks from Khreschatyk Street).

Getting to the airport "Kiev" can also be from the South Railway Station, on the trolley No. 8a, but you need to walk about 300 meters to the street Uritskogo. On this street there is a stop of trolley and buses.

Journey time of approximately 15-20 minutes.

We wish you a pleasant journey to Kiev - the capital of Ukraine.

Excursions

We welcome all the fans and visitors of Kyiv City to this magnificent and filled with unforgettable impressions football festival - UEFA EURO 2012 Poland-Ukraine. If you want to remember your staying in Kyiv for all your life, join Kyiv city tours CityTour2012 specially designed for Uuro-2012 guests.

Here you could find the following Kyiv Euro Cup 2012 Tours and book them:

Kyiv City tour Elegance
Kyiv City tour Avantgarde
Pyrogovo - An Open-Air Fairy Tale!
River Cruise - On The Waves Of The Dnieper

JOIN US and YOU will receive all these benefits for FREE:

- a chance to have a really good time in Kyiv,
- high-standard travel service,
- comfortable Euro-class buses,
- professional guides with a good sense of humor )),
- tourist information and answers to your questions for a comfortable stay and rest in our city,
- special discounts,
- national souvenirs.

Before you get started to book CityTour2012 tours we recommend you to read the general terms and conditions. During each tour booking you can watch video and pictures of tours, review a brief description, schedule and prices. Also, in case of group order for a specific tour, date and time of it’s execution, you are guaranteed to receive a discount, which depends on the amount of booked services. If you have any questions concerning CityTour2012 tours, booking’s features of tours and payment, you may contact us by e-mail or by phone. We will be glad to help you and make your staying in Kyiv during EURO CUP 2012 unforgettable and filled with great emotions.

We wish you only the victories and pleasant staying in Kyiv during EURO 2012.

Pyrogovo - An Open-Air Fairy Tale!

To get know the real Ukraine is possible only by revealing its history, plunging into the world of Ukrainian folk art and Ukrainian people’s life. If you wish to understand this country, you must visit the largest Eastern European open-air Museum of Folk Architecture and Rural Life - Pyrogovo. Extremely interesting tour around all the historical regions of Ukraine will leave in the memory of each visitor unforgettable memories of Ukrainian culture of 16-20 centuries. Over 300 excursion objects that were actually built by the Ukrainians who lived at that time characterize the culture, life and ethnographic features. Visit Pyrogovo – place where Ukrainian fairy tale comes true!

Among the unique objects of excursion you will see the following:

- Ukrainian windmills collection
- The oldest functioning church!!!
- Nearly 500 year old Ukrainian house!!!
- The Ukrainian tavern and kulishna (here you can taste Ukrainian national dish "Kulish" and Ukrainian national vodka "Gorilka")
- Monuments of national building 16-20 cc.

Dates of excursions: June 10-21, 23-26 and 30, July 1-3, 2012.

Time of beginning: 9:00(10:00), 13:00(14:00), 17:00(18:00). Exact time one can learn from online form (see below).

Tour duration: 3 hours.

The price of the tour is 37 euro and includes:
- transfer Kyiv-Pyrogovo-Kyiv (comfortable bus),
- guide services (English language),
- excursion as indicated in the program
- insurance,
- souvenirs.

The price does not include tickets to the museum, some exposure (houses, temples) of the museums, personal expenses.

This is an approximate route and program, and some changes could occure but not considerable.

OIN US and YOU will receive all these benefits for FREE:
- a chance to have a really good time in Kyiv,
- high-standard travel service,
- comfortable Euro-class buses,
- professional guides with a good sense of humor )),
- tourist information and answers to your questions for a comfortable stay and rest in our city,
- special discounts,
- national souvenirs.

Kyiv City Tours - Excursions in Kiev

Kyiv is a fantastic city. Forever young and, at the same time, one of the most ancient cities of the world. The city lies on seven hills on both banks of the Dnieper. The city has many old churches, and modern buildings. Hundreds of museums and theatres, luxurious parks and stadiums, wide boulevards and narrow streets.

Tens of thousands of students from all the cities of Ukraine and from abroad are studying in Kyiv universities. In government offices thousands of officials led by the President work daily and nightly. Kiev is the capital of Ukraine. And also here there pass the international sport competitions. For example, the Finals of the European football Championship Euro-2012.

Want to get acquainted with sights of Kiev closer? Soon you will be able to book excursions in Kiev from this web-site. Excursions on a tourist bus in the center of Kiev and on a steamboat by the Dnieper river. On this site you will be able to choose a suitable tour and pay online.

Kyiv City Tour (Elegance)

Kyiv is a city that you can’t help falling in love with. On the one hand, it’s a modern European capital, which was given a chance to host EURO 2012. On the other it’s an ancient city (over than 1500 years) that attracts by its puzzles of history. Past and Present have merged in it and have created a fantastic image of the city that cannot leave any tourist indifferent.

This fun-filled sightseeing trip includes the overview of following:

- Golden Gate (a major landmark dating from the mediaeval period 11th century, a historic gateway to the ancient city fortress)
- Saint Sophia Cathedral (world famous church with unique internal decoration, founded in 1011 as the main church of Kyivan Rus)
- Monument to Bogdan Chmelnitsky
- St. Andrew`s Church (major Baroque church situated on a steep hill and added to the UNESCO'List of World Treasures of the Five Continents')
- St. Michael's Golden-Domed Monastery (first large cathedral with a gilded dome)
- Arch of Friendship of Nations
- Lobanovsky Dynamo Stadium
- Park of Eternal Glory
- Memorial to Victims of Holodomor (genocide against the Ukrainian people) in Ukraine
- Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (main Orthodox Mecca for all Christians)
- Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv
- National Opera of Ukraine (most beautiful Opera House in Ukraine)

Dates of excursions: June 10-21, 23-26 and 30, July 1-3, 2012.

Time of beginning: 9:00(10:00), 13:00(14:00), 17:00(18:00). Exact time one can learn from online form (see below).

Tour duration: 3 hours

Price of the tour is 29 euro and includes:

- transport services (comfortable bus),
- guide services (English language),
- excursion as indicated in the program,
- insurance,
- souvenirs.

Price does not include – tickets to the museum, churches, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

This is an approximate route and program, and some changes could occur but not considerable.

Kyiv City Tours - On The Waves Of The Dnieper

You can see the true greatness of the Ukrainian capital, situated on both banks of the largest river of Ukraine called Dnieper. Cool breath of wind touches gently the face during hot summer day. Panorama of the ancient but ever-young Kyiv opens before your eyes! On one hand is the right bank, with ancient temples, majestic green hills and beautiful embankments, on the other hand is mode always developing modern city areas. And the unforgettable views of the Dnieper and its islands will impress any visitors and will make fall in love with Kyiv. Dnieper welcomes you and bears on the waves!

During the river cruise YOU can:

- watch live football broadcast! (according to the schedule)
- taste Ukrainian national cuisine!
- taste Ukrainian national vodka "Gorilka"!!!

During the river cruise you will see:

- The River Station;
- Podil, Riverside;
- St. Andrew's Church;
- Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra;
- Vydubitsky monastery;
- Famine Memorial;
- Monument of Glory;
- Paton’s Bridge;
- Trukhaniv island.

Dates of excursions: June 10-21, 23-26 and 30, July 1-3, 2012.

Time of beginning: 10:00, 12:30, 15:00, 17:30, 20:00(20:30). Exact time one can learn from online form (see below).

Tour duration: 2 hours.

The price of the tour is 34 euro and includes:

- transport services (comfortable motor ship),
- music (background),
- 1 free beer,
- insurance,
- souvenirs.

The price does not include - personal expenses.

This is an approximate route and program, and some changes could occur but not considerable.

Kyiv City Tour (Avantgarde)

Kyiv is so ancient and so modern at the same time! The capital of Kyivian Rus and the independent Ukraine, which has kept the spirit of greatness princes-governors, fearless love of freedom of Hetmans-Cossacks through centuries, the spirit of courage of all those who put their strength and their lives for its liberation and development. And today, our city is the capital of the European Football Championship EURO 2012! Without objection, it can be said that Kyiv is a city that you want to return to again and again to get the feelings and emotions that the great city gives to its guests. We invite you to touch the history of Ukrainian land and to look into the soul of the Ukrainian people! Kyiv opens its Golden Gates for you... Welcome!

This fun-filled sightseeing trip includes the overview of the following:

- St. Volodymyr's Cathedral
- Teacher's House
- The National Opera of Ukraine (most beautiful Opera House in Ukraine)
- Golden Gate (a major landmark dating from the mediaeval period 11th century, a historic gateway to the ancient city fortress)
- Saint Sophia Cathedral (world famous church with uniqe internal decoration, founded in 1011 as the main church of Kyivan Rus)
- St. Michael's-Domed Monastery (first large cathedral with a gilded dome)
- Monument to Knjaz Volodymyr (prince, who baptized Kievan Rus)
- Marketplace
- Kyiv-Mohyla Academy
- Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (main Orthodox Mecca for all Christians)
- The aristocratic districts of Pechersk and Lypky
- Kyiv National Taras Shevchenko University

Dates of excursions: June 10-21, 23-26 and 30, July 1-3, 2012.

Time of beginning: 9:00(10:00), 13:00(14:00), 17:00(18:00). Exact time one can learn from online form (see below).

Tour duration: 3 hours.

The price of the tour is 34 euro and includes:

- transport services (comfortable bus),
- guide services (English language),
- excursion as indicated in the program
- insurance,
- souvenirs.

The price does not include - tickets to the museums, cathedrals, Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.

This is an approximate route and program, and some changes could occure but not considerable.

Kyiv City Tours. General Terms & Conditions

Booking of tours of CityTour2012 on this web-site is joint project by citytour2012.com and skybus.kiev.ua. It is available on the base of General Terms & Conditions offered by Citytour2012:

General Terms & Conditions

www.CityTour2012.com is a project of HIGHWAY TRAVEL Ltd, a company registered in Ukraine (license number АВ № 505137).

Any booking made through our web site is considered to be acceptance of terms and conditions below:

Online bookings (credit or debit cards)

Prepayment in full amount is required for all reservations

Online payment is available to make by the following type of credit cards - Visa, MasterCard . Invoice payment is available in offline regime only.

All payments are available in Ukrainian Hrivnas according to the currency exchange rate, valid on the day of the reservation

All transactions take place within protected PrivatBank server (LiqPay system) and are 100% secured

In case if credit card authorization is failed we reserve the right to cancel unpaid services and to consider all vouchers to be invalid.

Credit Card Security

We may make request for signed credit card authorization form and a photo copy of your passport in identification purposes (according to recommendations of our credit card authorization company). This measure is done for your own security and protection against fraudulent use of credit cards.

Booking

In order to book services via CityTour2012.com Client should choose a suitable tour on the web site.

Client can add as many services as he needs into his cart (basket), created when the first service is chosen by the client.

After accepting the terms and conditions of the system and after completing the registration form, the Client is transferred to secured PrivatBank payment system to process payments.

Service Voucher is sent to Client’s e-mail address only if payment transaction was successful.

The Company reserves the right to change tour content.

Advantages of PrivatBank LiqPay secured payment system

In order to process payment, the Client should have access to his cell phone. In order to verify identity of the Client and to minimize potential risk of frauds with credit card transactions, during the payment process the Client will be requested to provide his phone number, where a text-message will be send. The text-message is going to contain a special unique code that the Client needs to enter into the system in order to proceed with payment for his booking.

Cancellation

Cancellation fees for groups are shown during confirmation.

Cancellation fees for individuals are charged as following (in selected currency):

90 days or more prior to arrival: 50% off the total cost of the reservation,

89-30 days prior to arrival: 80% off the total cost of the reservation,

29 days or less prior to arrival: 100% off the total cost of the reservation.

EURO 2012 in Ukraine individual Football Championship bookings are 100% NON-REFUNDABLE. Name changes are not permitted. (Travel dates 10/06/2012-03/07/2012)

All cancellations must be notified to CityTour2012.com in writing and acknowledged by us to the customer.

Time and Place of Tour beginning

Client has to arrive half an hour before the beginning of the tour at the place indicated in voucher or announcement that is sent to the Client’s e-mail address.

Beginning and ending of the excursions (tour schedule) and duration are noticed approximately and could be changed by the CityTour2012.com with tourist’s prior notice 24 hours before the beginning of the excursion.

Discounts

CityTour2012.com offer discounts for group orders for Customers who purchase 5 or more tickets for one tour at a specific day and time (hour). After the payment and confirmation of a group order the Client has to provide CityTour2012.com in writing by e-mail address [email protected] tourists data - name, surname, e-mail address, phone number, passport data, who are going together with the Client in tour. Types of discounts:

5% - discount is provided to the Customer for the order of 5 to 19 tickets for one trip at a specific day and time;

7% - discount is provided to the Customer for the order of 20 to 39 tickets for one trip at a specific day and time;

10% - discount is provided to the Customer for the order of 40 tickets for one trip at a specific day and time.

Discount is given automatically if the Customer orders 5 or more tickets for a specific tour, which will take place at a specific day and time (hour).

Discounts are not available for the orders which contain several types of trips and on different dates and time.

Visa to Ukraine

Passports and visa are out of our responsibility.

Amendments

All changes (e.g. guest name, last name, tour date, amount of booked services, change of class of services etc.) must be sent in writing to [email protected], and must be confirmed by us back. For the time of EURO 2012 championship 10.06-03.07.2012 any changes are fined with 100% costs.

CityTour2012.com may make improvements or changes to the information, elements, data, services, and other materials on this website, or terminate this website, at any time without notice.

Booking Deadlines

CityTour2012.com provides online bookings up to the day of the check in, depending upon a tour.

Additional Tour Charges

You must make payment for all services that are not included on your voucher (e.g. meals, tickets to museums, cathedrals, Kiev-Pechersk Lavra etc.) directly to the tour.

Errors

CityTour2012.com is not responsible for any costs incurred as a result of incorrect dates or wrong data input made by the Client. It is responsibility of a Client to put correct dates and information for all services requested.

Complaints

If you have any claims or complains regarding your tour, you must report it to CityTour2012.com immediately using the emergency telephone number specified on your voucher or booking summary. We will make our best to resolve the matter. Complaints concerning the tour are not considered if the Client hasn’t report about it and has shown within 24 hours after the service was provided.

Age and responsibility

You warrant that you are 18 years of age or over and have legal capacity to use the Hotelopia site and to create a legally binding contract.

You warrant that all personal information submitted during accommodation bookings and membership registration is correct and you accept financial responsibility for all transactions made under your name or account.

Force Majeure

CityTour2012.com shall not be liable for any failure or delay in performance of its obligations which results directly or indirectly from any cause or circumstance which is beyond its reasonable control. Without limit to the generality of the foregoing, the following shall be regarded as such circumstances: acts of God, outbreak of hostilities, riot, civil disturbance, acts of terrorism, revolution, the act of any government or authority), fire, flood, lightning, explosion, fog or bad weather, interruption or failure of a utility service (including but not limited to electricity, gas, water or telecommunications), renovations undertaken by the hotel, or strikes.

Contact details

If you fail to provide your correct email address and telephone number including country code, we are not responsible for your failure in receiving documents and messages concerning the status of your reservation. We reserve the right to cancel reservations if we are unable to contact you.