Kiev? Kiev!

-

For most ERASMUS students, especially from Western Europe, the Ukraine might not has been a top of mind place to go so far. But today we will show you that its capital Kiev is an extraordinary place that you should not miss in your ERASMUS Experience!

Maidan Nezalezhnosti. Photo: Podluzhnaya, Хрещатик. Київ, CC BY-SA 3.0

How to go there?

Kiev is about 600 km away from Vilnius and non-EU state Belarus is lying in between. Therefore the easiest way to go there is by plane. Budget airline Ryanair operates three flights in each direction per week from Vilnius. One-way fares begin from 15 EUR if you book well in advance. Keep in mind that you can get a 15% discount with your ESN card!

A rather cheap alternative for those who not flexible with dates is Ukrainian Airlines with flights in both directions everyday. One-way fares start from 34 EUR if you book well in advance.
Good to know:
If you are an EU citizen you can enter the Ukraine for 90 days without a visa! But as a foreigner you still have to provide evidence that you have a travel health insurance valid in Ukraine and sufficient funds to finance your stay (approx. 35 EUR per day + 175 EUR on top). You can bring for example cash or bank statements as a proof.

A cab from Borispol International Airport takes around one hour to the city center and costs around 10 EUR.

Cost of living during your stay

Mariinsky Park. Photo: Zhivora Olexiy, Mariinsky Park 02, CC BY-SA 3.0
Kiev is ranked 404 out of 447 cities in the world regarding the cost of living. Hostels in the city center of Kiev offer dorm beds around 10 EUR per night and single rooms around 20 EUR per night. In both directions prices are flexible depending on what you expect from your accomodation. A meal in an ordinary restaurant is about 4 EUR and you can get half a liter of domestic beer for under 1 EUR, as well as your cappucino in the morning.

 

 Best (free) sights

There is a variety of free (but tip-based!) city tours including “Ancient Kiev” (11 am) and “Soviet Kiev” (3 pm) everyday from Monument to the Founders of Kiev at Maidan Nezalezhnosti (Freedom Square). Registration via freetour.com/kiev is required in high season.

Kiev is a green city with beautiful parks you can explore for free. Check out the 130 years old Mariinsky Park with its monuments, fountains and great landscape.

Not for free but definitely worth visiting is the nearby Kiev Monastery of the Caves. This 1051 founded monastery which is located on a hill overlooking Dnieper River, is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites and a place you should not miss during your stay in Kiev. The site is divided in Upper and Lower Lavra. There is a modest entrance fee for the area of around 1 EUR and as a student you pay another 1 EUR for entering the 96m high Great Bell Tower which offers a marvelous lookout over the city.

The caves below the Lower Lavra where monks lived and worshipped can be accessed for free. Around 100 monks have been burried down there and lie mummified in niches along the way.

Important advice:
Women are asked to cover their heads so do not forget to bring a scarf when visiting this holy place.
Kiev Monastery of the Caves. Photo: Falin, Лавра, CC BY-SA 3.0

You want to go to Kiev and have more questions? Just ask in the comments! Or you already have had your (ERASMUS ) experience in Kiev and you want to share your advices? Feel free to comment!


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Secrets of Pavilniai Regional Park

-
Image
Breathtaking scenery and wildlife adventure next to your dormitories - is that even possible? Take your comfortable shoes and spend a perfect day in the nature! A one-day hiking tour with some sightseeing included.     How to get there? Situated in the Antakalnian district of Vilnius the Park contains a lot to behold. You can easily reach it by bus numbers 2,4,14,19 or 21. In case, you live near the park and you have never been inside, you are lucky to start on feet - no extra time for travelling. However, the tour begins at the station "Bistrycios str." which you can access by buses 14, 114 or 115. From that point you walk on the pavement of Zolyno str. until the street forks in two. There you'd take the right path to plunge into a forest. Alongside a hill and beautiful houses you'll be able to enjoy some wildlife with plenty of various birds, mushrooms and plants. The way will slope smoothly upwards until you see wooden stairs. Climb them and you will...
Read more

Lithuanian New Years Traditions

-
Image
2018 is almost over and the new year is already knocking on our doors. But how do Lithuanians celebrate New Years Eve traditionally? We will present you the most important traditions to comply with in order to have a great 2019! Do not fall asleep too early Falling asleep before 0.00 a.m. will bring bad luck for the new year, so better party hard and stay awake! Predictions Celebrating New Years Eve is all about making predictions for the upcoming year. A nice Lithuanian party game to predict future goes like: Sit around a table, put a key, a ring, a little glass of water and some money on plates and cover them. Then mix the plates. the ring: you will marry in the new year the water: you will get an alcoholic husband/wife the key: you will move to a new home the money: you will become rich So better choose wisely when celebrating New Years Eve in Lithuania! Fireworks Lithuania is welln known for its excessive (mostly private) fireworks on New Years ...
Read more

The Vilnius bar guide (Part I)

-
Image
You might get tired of going to +++ and Salento all the time but finding good bars and restaurants in a new city can be pretty difficult. Who wants test one place after another to get disappointed. Lucky you! We do the job. In the following section we going to share our experience about bars and restaurants. Maybe you learn something new to make your nightlife more enjoyable. Feel free to comment and share your experience. Yucatan On the corner of Islandijos gatve and Pylimo gatve you can find this Mexican themed bar. The place offers lots of different cocktails and brews and Mexican food and snacks. The real deal however is the assemblage of different music styles. You can find a techno DJ on one day only to come across a bass solo at your next visit. The variety is endless. Make sure to check the back room. Follow the dark, red lighted corridor to find the room. Check them out on Facebook to keep track on the events. https://www.facebook.com/Yucatanmexicanbar/ http://...
Read more