Kiev trip advice required

the_devil_made_me_do_it

My friend and I are planning a holiday to Kiev. We want to visit Chernobyl while we are there and I'm wondering whether anyone can give advice on who to book the trip with? I have seen online that a number of tour companies offer the visit, but it would be good to have recommendations before booking.

Also, can anyone recommend a cheap but decent hotel we can stay in which is relatively close to most points of interest.

richardw

Good responses here https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5660126

the_devil_made_me_do_it

I wanted to delete my thread on that section of the travel board, but didn't know how to do it. So decided to post here instead. I realised I'd posted my thread in the wrong section. :embarasse

Williewonthe

I was in Kiev a couple of weeks ago and stayed at the Ukraine hotel which overlooks Independence Square.

I don't know what you consider 'cheap' but they have rooms of varying prices.

The rooms are a bit dated but OK for a few days.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Williewonthe wrote: »

I was in Kiev a couple of weeks ago and stayed at the Ukraine hotel which overlooks Independence Square.

I don't know what you consider 'cheap' but they have rooms of varying prices.

The rooms are a bit dated but OK for a few days.

Thanks for this. I'll check it out.

What places of interest did you visit?

Williewonthe

I personally did not go to Chernobyl but others in the group did go and enjoyed it a lot.

As a group we stared at the Ukraine hotel and visited a few churches/cathedrals in the area. Not being interested in religious buildings I didn't pay much attention.

There are plenty of places to visit listed on both Tripadvisor and Wikivoyage.

Some people went to see the Motherland monument and were very impressed.

I rode a bit on the metro - tickets about 10p per ride - and got off at Arsenalna station (with the longest escalator in the world).

I also went to the beach at Hidropark. It sounds like a 'paying' resort but it's free - just watch out for stray volleyballs!

Look at the two websites mentioned. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do.

Bear in mind that the city is built on hills, so be prepared to do a bit of exercise.

blindman

Williewonthe wrote: »

I personally did not go to Chernobyl but others in the group did go and enjoyed it a lot.

As a group we stared at the Ukraine hotel and visited a few churches/cathedrals in the area. Not being interested in religious buildings I didn't pay much attention.

There are plenty of places to visit listed on both Tripadvisor and Wikivoyage.

Some people went to see the Motherland monument and were very impressed.

I rode a bit on the metro - tickets about 10p per ride - and got off at Arsenalna station (with the longest escalator in the world).

No-it's the worlds deepest Metro

I also went to the beach at Hidropark. It sounds like a 'paying' resort but it's free - just watch out for stray volleyballs!

Look at the two websites mentioned. I'm sure you'll find plenty to do.

Bear in mind that the city is built on hills, so be prepared to do a bit of exercise.

I believe the longest escalator is In St Petersbugh

Admiralteyskaya Metro

Kiev sounds interesting

blindman

Williewonthe wrote: »

I personally did not go to Chernobyl but others in the group did go and enjoyed it a lot.

Any idea who they went with?

Intrigued now.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Williewonthe..do you have any idea of the name of the tour company who took your friends on a tour of Chernobyl? I'm wanting to get it booked before I go.

Williewonthe

No, sorry, I don't.

I was on a Ukraine tour with the Ex........ (UK) tour company and it was organised (or at least sold) by them.

I believe they were charging £220 per person but you can get the tour for about one-third of that!

I believe all tours are overseen by the Ukrainian government, so they have to follow common guidelines/safety procedures.

Have a look for tips on good ones from TripAdvisor.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Thanks for the reply Williewonthe. I'm going to have to crack on and get this booked. So will check out those websites