Telephoning

For those traveling internationally, when dialing any number, hold down the "0" key on your cell phone to display the "+" then enter the country code. You should drop the (0) when calling from your cell phone. So, the hotel's number would be dialed as: +38 44 256 4000, Luke's number would be dialed as: +1 425 417 5241.

The country code for Ukraine is 380, for the United States it is 1.


USA Invitation Letters

Coming from the United States you do not need a visa, however, we have prepared an invitaion letter to help easy your way into the country if you so desire. The passport control will be asking you questions concerning your stay in Ukraine. This letter will help answer those questions and is printed in both English and Russian. Please download the document and fill out for each attendee.

Please send the filled out documents to luke@casualconnect.org and we will get them signed and sent back to you.


VISA Invitations

For those traveling from outside of the EU, Russia, USA or Canada, you may need to get a VISA for your stay in Kyiv. Contact your local government for more information.

Download the invitation letter, fill in the information and then email to visainvite@casualconnect.org.
[download VISA letter]


Getting Around

The hotel that our guests will stay is already in the center of Kyiv. It will take you less than 10 minutes to get to the main city street (Khreshatik), full of boutiques, restaurants, cultural sights and tourists from all over the world.

The hotels are located on Hospitalnaya St. To get to the famous Khreschatik you need to go up the street till it intersects with Lesi Ukrainki Blvd. Turn left and go along the Blvd. all the way up to Basseinaia St. It’s a short street at the end of which there is Krutoy Spoosk (Descent). Simply go across it and here you are on Khreshatik, which is the perfect place to start your tour around Kyiv.

We can provide you with maps if you like.


Travel from/to KBP Airport

Currently there are many flights flying out on October 15th and returning on October 20th from SEA, SFO, JFK to Kyiv (KBP) all under 1,000 USD. Most people will be traveling on flight 1385 from AMS to KBP if you want to meet some of your friends in route.

Right outside of Boryspil’s Terminal B (that’s where you arrive) to your right there are taxis and buses. Official shuttles say «Aтасс - Полёт» on its sides (schedule is here look at the lower one – from airport). The cost is 23 gryvnas (4.60$) and the ride lasts for around an hour.

The «Aтасс - Полёт» bus runs directly to the central railway station from where you can take a taxi to your hotel to the downtown. The Central railway station is some 5-10 minutes from the downtown by car. The taxi ride from there would cost you around 10$.

Near Terminal B and inside the airport you’ll also see a lot of solicitors proposing taxi rides. They should be pretty secure, but they would try to charge much more when they see you are a foreigner. Usually you can bargain down to 40$-50$ and even pay them in US dollars or Euro (they won’t give you change, so have the exact amount needed). You should select a car which has an orange sign on its top indicating it’s a taxi, don’t go with private drivers without appropriate license.

Food

There is more to food in Ukraine than Borscht!
Here's a list of restaurants in Kyiv: [View Restaurant listings]


Weather!

In October, the average high is 52F/11C and the average low is 39F/4C

It does get chilly. Bring a nice jacket and some warmer clothes and you should be set for Ukraine in October!

[View Kyiv weather forecast]


Travel Overview

For more information about sites to see, food to eat, please see review our Kyiv Travel Guide [Kyiv Travel Guide]