Where to stay in Ukraine
In Ukraine, you've got plenty of choices for where to stay. You can pick from different kinds of places like hotels with different stars, hostels, apartments you can rent, or guesthouses. On average, spending a night in Ukraine might cost you around 9 euros in a hostel, roughly 22 euros in a 3-star hotel, and about 150 euros for a fancy luxury hotel. To find the perfect place to stay and make a booking, click here.
Accommodation for long-term stays
If you're planning an extended stay, in compliance with the Ukrainian Visa rules and regulations, like a year or more, considering a long-term apartment rental can be a more economical option. Typically, long-term rentals offer lower prices compared to daily rates, but keep in mind that the minimum rental term is usually 4-6 months, varying depending on the owner.
Realtor commissions, ranging from 50% to 100% of the monthly rent, are a one-time payment. This fee is incurred when you engage a realtor's services to secure your rental.
To explore long-term accommodation options in Ukraine, check out these websites and apps:
- DOM.RIA - a real estate platform in Ukraine. Whether you're looking to sell, buy, or rent property, this site offers verified listings for both primary and secondary real estate. Discover ads from accredited realtors and agencies, ensuring reliable options for your real estate needs.
- Rieltor.ua
- Dobovo
- Flatfy.ua
- Bird App (Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Dnipro) - an innovative app where every advertisement undergoes thorough filtering using artificial intelligence technology
To avoid potential scams while searching for an apartment, consider these tips:
- Check and document meter readings before moving in.
- Pay the deposit directly upon check-in to avoid scams. Scammers often request deposits before check-in and then disappear without further contact.
- Be cautious of unusually cheap apartments and verify market prices.
- If photos seem too perfect, do a reverse image search to ensure their authenticity.
- Beware of landlords asking for additional fees to reserve an apartment; this can be a common scam tactic.
- Only provide photos and copies of your documents after signing the contract.
Safe tips, links to map of bomb shelters
Read our article ”A guide to stay safe in Ukraine”
- Your safety matters! Ensure to install the Alert! app immediately by visiting www.ukrainealarm.com/ for installation guidance. Upon installation, adjusting the alarm volume for optimal usage is advisable.
- Check curfew hours in your city. During curfew hours, both residents and visitors are required to remain indoors. Curfew timings vary by city, so stay informed about the specific curfew hours in your area and stay updated on any changes. Access information regarding the current curfew times in Ukraine here. Should you hear a siren during curfew, promptly head to the nearest air raid shelter for safety.
- Familiarise yourself with the locations of local air raid shelters. Ask the staff in your hotel or hostel, or your AirBnB host. Ask other volunteers. "Shelter" is УКРИТТЯ in Ukrainian. Look out for those signs, and remember the locations.
For your convenience, here's a map detailing the bomb shelter locations across various cities in Ukraine:
- Lviv. Note: in Lviv, there are posters all over the city with a (much shorter!) list of shelters which are supposed to be open to everyone.
- Kyiv
- Kharkiv
- Odesa
- Dnipro
- Zaporizhzhia
Your safety is paramount—stay informed and prepared!
Emergency Situations for Foreign Volunteers
In case of an emergency, please follow these steps:
- Emergency Services Numbers:
- Fire Protection: 101
- Police: 102
- Medical Assistance: 103
- Contact Your Embassy:
- Make sure to have the contact details of your country’s embassy or consulate in Ukraine.
Stay safe and informed.
Cell service, local SIM cards
Typically, you can easily purchase a SIM card upon your arrival at the train station. If unavailable at your location, you'll find SIM cards at official stores of cellular service providers, appliance shops, convenience stores, or larger supermarkets.
SIM cards and data packages are reasonably priced in Ukraine, starting from as low as 4 euros for a package offering 20GB of data.
If your phone has only one SIM card slot, check if it supports the "eSIM" standard – these are virtual SIM cards that you can get from all the providers listed below.
Either way, ask the person in the store to help you with the activation of the card, as it may involve interacting with a Ukrainian-speaking voice bot if you do it later.
Key cellular service providers in Ukraine include:
- Vodafone
- Kyivstar
- Lifecell
Another convenient option is to purchase an eSIM card with a generous prepaid data plan valid for 30 days. You can buy this option via Kyivstar cell service provider via link.
