Newbies gonna do it!

[deatchef]

I'm due for a vacation anyway, so I'm going to vist a buddy in Germany for 2 days then cruise to Ukraine for some fun and hopefully to meet some of the ladies I've been corresponding with. I'm thinking about driving (rented car) from Leipzig Germany to Kiev. Any thoughts or warnings? Would it be better to take a train?  The girls i want to see are in Poltava, Lugansk and Odesa, I'll be doing alot of travelling while I'm there...

[odeccaman1]

... in response to Newbies gonna do it!, posted by deatchef on Jan 18, 2002

I have driven from W. Europe to UKR several times and it is a brutal drive as there are little more than two lane roads that travel through like every village and with German plates you will be spending alot of time on the side of the road speaking (and paying $)to the police. have a good trip

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Newbies gonna do it!, posted by deatchef on Jan 18, 2002

If your strapped for cash. Take the train (See thread below)

However, I think that most of the time you will find that you have more of a shortage of time than of money.

Therefore... bite the bullet. And fly. It will save you two days.

[deatchef]

... in response to May I suggest the train?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 18, 2002

I'm definately going to fly in, but I'de still like to hook up with my German friend. He likes to save $, so flying to kiev from germany is out. (Looks like driving is out too). Can you tell me about the trains? I've heard something about having to change the wheels??? Are they safe and reliable? Can he get from Leipzig area to Kiev?
Thanks

[Dan]

... in response to Newbies gonna do it!, posted by deatchef on Jan 18, 2002

First, the distance from Germany to Ukraine is significant.

Next, very few, if any, car rental agencies will allow you to take the car into the former Soviet vassal countries - and that often includes Czech Republic and Hungary. I seriously doubt you will find a car rental agency that will allow you to drive their car all the way into Ukraine.

Finally, I know of a few pretty stout and adventurous Ukrainian guys - and they told me (when I inquired about the same thing) that I was crazy. Apparently there are too many accounts of the cars being ripped-off at rest areas or hotels along the way. It seemed a pretty bad idea to me - especially when it was coming from some guys that are normally pretty gung-ho.

Just be very careful if you decide to try it - and report back about your experiences. I have yet to hear from anyone that has actually attempted it.

- Dan

[deatchef]

... in response to Be VERY Careful . . ., posted by Dan on Jan 18, 2002

...I don't think I want to be the first to try and if your "stout" buds advised against it I think I'll take that advice.
New plan: Fly from JFK to Kiev (may have to stop in warsaw?) I was on Lot dot com and it looks like $829 is the going rate from 4/19-4/30. Is that good? Can anybody give me a # of a freelance interpreter in Keiv? If i want to travel to Lugansk from kiev, whats the best way? Can I actually rent a car?

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Be VERY Careful . . . New plans..., posted by deatchef on Jan 18, 2002

Is in the far East section of Ukraine and lies within a few kilometers of the Russian border. It is more than 800 kilometers from Kyiv - which renders only train travel or domestic flights as realistic alternatives.

For trains, there are 2 direct trains daily from Kyiv. Travel time is about 18+ hours.

Yes, it *is* possible to rent a car once inside Ukraine - but once again, I discourage you from doing so. Driving conditions are vastly worse than in western countries and it is not uncommon to be harrassed by Militsia - though it is waning a bit since some new legislation was passed that they can no longer just randomly stop cars without a reason. The jury is out as to whether that was a good thing or not. Given the incidence of drunken-driving - many feel it was better when Militsia could stop drivers randomly to find the drunk drivers and get them off the street.

The fare of $829 seems a tad high to me. I saw a fare on Lot Polish of about $650 to Kyiv from Denver R/T just recently. April is still the off-peak season, so I suspect you might find lower fares somewhere.

Yes, if you fly LOT Polish, you will transit in Warsaw.

I hope this helps.

- Dan

[deatchef]

... in response to Lugansk . . ., posted by Dan on Jan 18, 2002

Thanks Dan, 18 hours from kyiv to lugansk, wow! Sounds like driving may be out for me...

[Dan]

... in response to Re: Lugansk . . ., posted by deatchef on Jan 18, 2002

It is only 800 kilometers, so if (that is a BIG *IF*) you could keep up a speed of 100 km/hour (almost impossible on Ukraine roadways) - then it would only take 8 hours or so.

Still, the other safety and convenience factors make me suggest the train.

- Dan