... in response to Currency Question???, posted by KenMan on Nov 1, 2001http://www.oanda.comThe answer to your question is the exchange rate is approximately 5 Hr to 1 USD.
Your best rates will, more than likely, be on the streets in Kyiv. Be sure to look closely at the published rates and do not be fooled by the kiosks that will misplace a decimal. For instance, if the actual rate is 5.5 Hr to the USD, some kiosks are known to offer 5.05 Hr. If you are not careful, you might miss the difference.
Finally, be certain to take all fresh, crisp, unmarked and untorn US curency. If there are any marks or tears on the bill, the kiosks will reject it and not exchange it. I always go to the bank before I travel and ask for a few thousand in fresh $100 bills. I then count out, and inspect, each bill to make certain it will be accepted. It is not uncommon to reject about 25 percent of the bills - in order to find those which will be unquestioned in Ukraine. I also only bother with $100 bills *if* my plans are to be predominantly in major cities such as Kyiv, Lviv, Odesa or Yalta. If I have plans to be in smaller cities, I will exchange some USD for Hryvna in the big city before traveling to smaller cities - enough to take care of my entire time in the small city. If my entire trip is planned for small cities, then I will take $20's and $50's as well - for exchange in those smaller cities.
I hope this helps.
- Dan
