crossing Polish/Ukrainian border experience ?

[Johninm]

I have an interview in Warsaw in few days..I`m flyin` to Kiev on this saturday to pick up my fiance and her child ( age 7 ).. then comming to Warsaw for the interview scheduled on Jan 24th. We`re going together( my fiancee , her child and myself ), taking a train to Poland . My fiancee worries about Ukrainian border guards/customs . Someone she knows had problems at the other border (Belarussianand/Ukrainian )and  father/mother were Ukrainian/ Russian. She does not have any documents from the father of her child ( meaning ; father`s permission for the child to leave Ukraine ). She is legally divorced. Her ex leaves in different country and is unreachable. Ukrainian so-called "officials" don`t give a damm.."can`t do"..,.even with some"grease" . We received packet 4 from US embassy in Warsaw and there is nothing stating about the father`s permission. From what I`ve read in the past , we don`t have to have it . Secondly, I`ll kinda of "secure myself" with crisp, new ,$50 and $100 US dolar bills..just in "case". What do you think?!  Any similar experiences ?

[odeccaman1]

... in response to crossing Polish/Ukrainian border experie..., posted by Johninm on Jan 18, 2002

about Ukrainian border crossings are true but over the past couple years they have become remarkably more accommodating and less intimidating/dodgy.

You should not have any problems on the train other than the interminable wait for them to change the trains wheels. Have a ready smile, a western passport and some crisp $5 or $10 bills do not let anyone even catch a glimpse of 50's or 100's under any circumstances.

If the train and bus stations were closer together I would always take the 1st class train from Kyiv to Lviv and then a bus or private car to Warsaw, I like trains but only when they are in motion. Good luck

[Johninm]

... in response to crossing Polish/Ukrainian border experie..., posted by Johninm on Jan 18, 2002

However, my concern was, ...mine fiancee`s child crossing the border....the whole process,...without official legal document ( father`s permission ) for the child !. The rest I took care of that( the transporation aspect ).  Thank You all who responded !     Johny

[MarkInTx]

... in response to crossing Polish/Ukrainian border experie..., posted by Johninm on Jan 18, 2002

Has anyone ever taken a train from Warsaw to Ukraine?

Just wondering...

[Dan]

... in response to How about going the othe way?, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 18, 2002

n/t

[MarkInTx]

... in response to Yes, It is Largely The Same as TO Poland..., posted by Dan on Jan 18, 2002

I see all sorts of info on the train throughout Europe... but not to the FSU countries.

Any idea what train line it is? Where to get info? And about how long it takes to get to Kiev or Odessa?

[Johninm]

... in response to I can't find any details on it, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 18, 2002

Try DB- ( Deutche Bahn  ) German Railroad System . They should have any conections to major parts of Europe ..switch to english.   Johny

[Dan]

... in response to I can't find any details on it, posted by MarkInTx on Jan 18, 2002

The train that runs to/from Warsaw and Kyiv has either Polish wagons or Ukrainian wagons. I found the Polish wagons to be slightly more comfortable - primarily because they have a small sink in each compartment. The best class of service is in the 2-berth Polish wagons. Next best is the 3-berth Polish wagon - followed by the Ukrainian wagons with either 2-berths of 4 berths.

It is possible to purchase small snacks aboard the train and the attendant will deliver it to your compartment - though I prefer taking some 'picnic' items on my own rather than purchase items aboard the train.

Going from Warsaw to Kyiv, there are two direct trains each day. I don't recall the exact schedule, but we took a train (# 068 IIRC) that departs Warsaw about 9:00 in the evening and gets into Kyiv at about 6:00 PM the next day.

It has the same border crossing process as going into Poland - that is, the train's entire undercarriage is exchanged for a different set of wheels that operate on different guage tracks - and you must visit with both the Polish and Ukrainian border guards.

The overnight trains are a bit difficult because you wake up in the early morning hours to cross the border and deal with the guards and it takes a couple of hours before you are able to return to sleep. Then, upon waking, it is still quite a distance to Kyiv and not much to do aboard the train. Best to take something to read and maybe some playing cards - in addition to the obvious ways a couple might pass some time --smile--.

All in all it was quite uneventful - thankfully.

- Dan

[foraker]

... in response to crossing Polish/Ukrainian border experie..., posted by Johninm on Jan 18, 2002

My wife also had no troubles taking the train from Ukraine to Poland. No one even came by to talk to her or look at any papers.

[Oatmeal]

... in response to crossing Polish/Ukrainian border experie..., posted by Johninm on Jan 18, 2002

I cannot say about your particular situation but my fiancee Anna (20 years old) was traveling from Odessa to Warsaw by herself on the train and I was very worried about this too because she is not well traveled.  As it turns out there was nothing to worry about and no one gave her any trouble at all.

Hope everything goes well and I think that this crossing should go without incident.  I have also heard that if the father cannot be contacted then it is no problem.

Good luck.
Jim