Eastern Ukraine - Ukraine - page 524

Ukraine, it's reasonably safe to hitch during the day, within big cities. Obviously, exercise
common sense, particularly if you're a woman travelling solo.
You will need to speak Ukrainian to discuss your destination and price, and it's easiest
to get a ride where locals are flagging down cars. Put your hand up in the air, palm down.
Local Transport
Ukrainian cities are navigable by trolleybus, tram, bus and (in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro-
petrovsk) metro. Urban public-transport systems are usually overworked and over-
crowded. There's no room for being shy or squeam ish - learn to assert yourself quickly.
» A ticket (kvytok or bilyet) for one ride by bus/tram/trolleybus costs 1uah to 3uah.
» There are no return, transfer, timed or day tickets available anywhere.
» It's always simplest to pay the driver or conductor.
» Tickets have to be punched on board (or ripped by the conductor).
» Unclipped or untorn tickets warrant an on-the-spot fine should you be caught.
» For the metros you need a zheton (plastic token), sold at the counters inside the sta-
tions for 2uah to 3uah.
» Metros run from around 5.30am to midnight.
» A metro station can have several names - one for each different line that passes
through it.
Taxis
Travelling by taxi anywhere in the ex-USSR can be a decidedly unenjoyable experience
for foreigners, so if there's a bus or tram going to your destination, take it.
» If possible, have your hostel or hotel call a cab for you - they generally use trustworthy
companies with set fares.
» Always try to call for a taxi. Some companies now send a text message to confirm the
booking, exact fare, and make and colour of the car.
» Avoid taxis that tout for business outside airports and stations as these operators are
very likely to rip off foreigners (and Ukrainians).
» Calculate the approximate fare between two towns by multiplying the distance in kilo-
metres by two or two and a half.