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Author Topic: Travel in Ukraine  (Read 10702 times)
Philb
Guest
« on: January 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
I am headed to Ukraine March 13th and am returning April 11th.  As Usual I am headed a bit off of the beaten path. Anyway, I will be flying into Kiev and from there I am headed to a small town about 60km south of Lugansk.  I have been looking at either taking the train or traveling by bus (autolux).  I have read some good things about Autolux and it is actually a bit faster than the train.  Anyone here ever use them?  If so what was your experience?  By the way the train trip is about 18 hours, Autolux 14 hours.  The price appears to be about the same.
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Streetwise
Guest
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Travel in Ukraine, posted by Philb on Jan 16, 2003

I've used Autolux 3 times (twice to Kharkov and once to Odessa). Each time I used them I found them reliable and efficient (they were always bang on time). More important, for someone new to travel in Ukraine I would say that they are also the safest mode of inter-city transport. The buses are relatively new and comfortable (although it gets a bit cramped if the bus is full). One solution is to buy 2 seats. The bus stops frequently (at least every 2 hours) for about 10 mins at designated stops, where refreshments are on sale outside and toilets are available. On the bus itself, you actually get a seat number allocated (it's on your ticket.) They serve refreshments and snacks on board, with a stewardess. And they even show movies on board also (dubbed in Russian of course). The other thing to remember is that Autolux operates from the International Airport (Borispol) in Kiev, which saves you a $35+ 30 minutes taxi ride into the city and hanging around the bus depot.

I would always choose Autolux if possible. It isn't the most omfortable way to travel for 14 hours but it's reliable and safe. About your other alternatives:

a) Train: Never tried it, but from what I know, 18 hours is a very conservative estimate. From what I heard from girls who have travelled to meet me in Kiev, a journey like this could take 24 hours by train at the very least.

b) Air: Tried it a few times and it's funny to sit on an old bone-shaker for an hour or so, but believe me your Life Insurance company would not be impressed with the standards of aircraft maintenance. I can remember bribing the pilot  (who was hanging around the ticket desk for that very reason) to let me on a flight from Odessa once, which was full. I'm not sure if they kicked someone else off or put them up front with the pilot).
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Frank O
Guest
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Travel in Ukraine, posted by Philb on Jan 16, 2003

I flew from Kiev to Lugansk during my November trip to Ukraine. The flight was a little over an hour & I think it was lie $60 or $70. The plane looked VERY old. Pretty funny story. I boarded the plane & put on my seat belt. Well the row I was on (2 seats I don't know if you can call it a row) well the seats are together & they were VERY LOOSELY screwed on to the floor of the plane. When it took off the whole row/seats moved/slid! LOL!! I just took off my seat belt. I figured if we crash the whole darned seat is gonna fly straight forward anyways so what good would a seat belt do. Anyways, I guess I would fly again. lOL!!! I also got locked in the airport runway as I was the last guy off the plane & they didn't help me with my luggage & it was really snowy. Oh well it was a trip to remember. Where are you going in the LUgansk region? There are MANY very beautiful women there. I plan on going back.
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thesearch
Guest
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to I was in Nov & went from Kiev to Lug..., posted by Frank O on Jan 17, 2003

post a trip report Frank?  

I can not remember now.
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Frank O
Guest
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Did you , posted by thesearch on Jan 17, 2003

I WAS going to do a trip report but I'm not exactly the most popular guy here. I joke a lot & get misinterpreted the wrong way most of the time. I guess sarcasm & cynicism (yes!) are not easily translated into written form. Also I remember one point many here starting saying my lady was a prostitute simply because she did some "modeling" when she was 16 & 17 years old. I figured I don't need this crap here. I come here because there are a lot of guys here who give good advice & usually my questions are answered very well from differing points of view. Anyways my trip was VERY interesting & some weird things DID happen but not scam wise depending on how you look at it. Perhaps one day out of boredom I might do one.
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thesearch
Guest
« Reply #5 on: January 21, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: Did you?....no, posted by Frank O on Jan 17, 2003

Hey,

Take a shot at it and see what happens. I would love to hear about your trip. If anyone gives you any flak - I will come to your rescue LOL
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Streetwise
Guest
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to I was in Nov & went from Kiev to Lug..., posted by Frank O on Jan 17, 2003

Hey Frank

I've been to a few cities in Ukraine but never Lugansk, and it may be on my list some time in the future. I have heard mixed reports of the place on this board, and it does appear to be something of a hotbed for scammers. But there must be another side to it, and I would be very interested to hear your impressions of the place, and where to go/stay etc. I always see a fair crop of beauties from Lugansk on the websites and from what you wrote here, many of them probably do exist! Any chance of a report?? Cheers!
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Frank O
Guest
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Tell us about Lugansk???, posted by Streetwise on Jan 17, 2003

Well, I LOVED Lugansk!!! I know it sounds weird but I had a blast. I went with the right attitude though. I only wrote one lady & was prepared for the WORST! & I GOT IT! LOL!!! But not in the usual way. Anyways after a couple of days I was up & about town on my own. I walked EVERYWHERE & got along just great. I met people on the street like crazy. One time I thought I was getting approached by a hooker when a VERY attractive lady came up to me & grabbed me by the arm & put her arm around me in BROAD DAYLIGHT! Then I say 2 guys coming up to me one to my left & another to my right. Well I grabbed one by the should & cocked my hand back (he couldn't have been older than 18 or so) to lay one on him & he put his arms up & screamed in ENGLISH " I am a Ukrainian citizen we just want to take a picture with you!!". LOL!!! Well 2 chicks got on each side & one guy knelt in front of me while the other took the pic. Then they switched. I guess they don't see many guys with long hair & leather over there. I stuck out like a sore thumb. However I got a LOT of attention mostly goood. I never got in trouble there. I remember one guy here saying that we were crazy if we thought we could just walk out & meet people. Well I did it without even trying. I also met people at a school I got invited to go speak and at restaurants & clubs. I had one girl all over me at a club called "Cardinal" there (I wouldn't marry her if they paid me though! LOL!). Anyways the city is very nice. Well, I liked it. There ARE a lot of scams over though. I bypassed the agency (Vega AGency) much to their chagrin & got out on my own. I also had a good friend their who knew the city inside & out. Well I could go on & on but I'll probably bore you. It would be easier over a pitcher of beer (by the way 60 cent beers!). There ARE MANY beautiful girls there but you are better off meeting them WITHOUT the help of an agency. I stayed at a flat provided by the agency which was in Lugansks equivalent of the Bronx or East LA or Compton! LOL!!!! I didn't know it was that bad till my friend showed up. I walked around there like nothing though. A lot has to do with how you carry yourself if you look like a tourist you're going to get in trouble more than likely. I kept hearing about how bad Lugansk was. I live 8 miles from MExico & Lugansk & Ukraine in general are a cakewalk compared to Mexico man.
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slimjimco
Guest
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to I was in Nov & went from Kiev to Lug..., posted by Frank O on Jan 17, 2003

SOUNDS LIKE AN EJECTION SEAT TO ME.  (LOL)
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Frank O
Guest
« Reply #9 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: I was in Nov & went from Kiev to..., posted by slimjimco on Jan 17, 2003

NT
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Jski
Guest
« Reply #10 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to I was in Nov & went from Kiev to Lug..., posted by Frank O on Jan 17, 2003

OK, you're scaring me now.  My flight from Simferopol to Kiev next week is on a AN-25.  :-)  I have to get a picture of that!
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Frank O
Guest
« Reply #11 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: So much for 9G rated seats, posted by Jski on Jan 17, 2003

NT
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Philb
Guest
« Reply #12 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to I was in Nov & went from Kiev to Lug..., posted by Frank O on Jan 17, 2003

I am headed to Antratsit initially.  I got a couple of questions if you do not mind.  What is the name of the airline that you flew.  I am flying into Kiev on Ukrainian International (part of Austrian Air.  Also do you know what the wght allowances were on the baggage on this flight?  thanks for your response.
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Frank O
Guest
« Reply #13 on: January 17, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Re: I was in Nov & went from Kiev to..., posted by Philb on Jan 17, 2003

Man, I"m really sorry but I DON'T know the name of the airline I took. I'm referring to the one from Kiev to Lugansk. From here to Kiev it was KLM which is GREAT! But over there I do not know. As for the limits, they weighed my bag but then just let me threw. NOBODY helped me either. By the time I arrived I had been awake 2 days (I partied the night before leaving till 2:30 AM which was a BIG MISTAKE!) & had flown 19 hrs. I was very tired & the trouble was going up INTO the plane from the ground. They had a small "ladder" step so holding BOTH bags was a REALLY big problem. I nearly fell off at one point. Anyways I've heard they have NOT had any accidents in ages so that is good.
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Dan
Guest
« Reply #14 on: January 16, 2003, 05:00:00 AM »
... in response to Travel in Ukraine, posted by Philb on Jan 16, 2003

However, your trip falls outside my personal envelope for comfort aboard a bus. For trips of around 300 km or so, there is no decision - I'll take the bus every time. For longer trips, plane or train are the only acceptable alternatives - for me.

Luhansk is about 850 km from Kyiv (probably 10 hours + by road) - and if you are traveling another 60 - I'd look at either:

(a) domestic plane to Luhansk with auto (taxi) or bus to the final destination, or
(b) train.

Just my personal experience. FWIW

- Dan
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