Traveling to Ukraine in 2020
At present time, there can be two main reasons for concern. The COVID-19 restrictions and the ongoing hostilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. Let BEST KYIV GUIDE shed some light on these important issues for foreign travelers who are willing to visit Ukraine.
Pandemic COVID-19 in Ukraine
The first one is the situation with the pandemic of COVID-19. On this resource, you can check the daily updated data with the number of cases. Ukrainian borders are open and foreigners are allowed to enter the territory of Ukraine.
All travelers need to have an insurance policy that covers the cost of treatment and test of COVID-19. And please mind, the insurance policy should be issued by a company registered in Ukraine or a foreign insurance company that has a representative office in Ukraine.
So if a person comes from a “Green Zone” country, they need only this insurance policy. In case if a person comes from a “Red Zone” country it is also required to pass the test using the PCR method after crossing the state border. I would recommend you check all the entry rules on the website www.visitukraine.today. It is an official reliable resource for all travelers.
The ongoing hostilities in the East – Is it safe in Ukraine?
The second reason for concern, it’s the ongoing hostilities in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine, which cast a shadow over the entire country. These territories are dangerous for tourist trips, therefore BEST KYIV GUIDE definitely recommends refraining from visiting them until calmer times.
Just to be clear, there is an ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia. In 2014, Russia annexed Crimea. Many of my tourists in our talks are often confused thinking that hostilities take place in Crimea. In reality, it’s not happening in Crimea but in the region of eastern Ukraine, covering Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
As for the other regions of Ukraine, you can travel here as calmly as, for example, in Poland, Slovakia, Lithuania, and other countries of Eastern Europe.
Thus, the answer to the title question is – IT IS SAFE to travel to Kyiv in 2020. According to the State Border Service of Ukraine, for the 9 months of 2019, 1 million 550 thousand 300 foreign tourists visited Kyiv, which is 26.6% more than in the same period of 2017. Last year Kyiv also received 2.2 million Ukrainian tourists.
If you are worried about the war in Donbas (eastern Ukraine) you have to know that the war zone is located 730 km from Kyiv. Look at the map of Ukraine below. Here you can see the war zone location and the distance to Kyiv and Chernobyl.
Why you should include Kyiv in your bucket list
Interesting to know, Kyiv has become one of the most needed places that tourists are suggested to visit in 2020. The travel portal “Big 7 Travel” has created a ranking of 50 beautiful cities to be visited this decade. The capital of Ukraine took second place. Wow! As a passionate Kiev tour guide, I was excited to hear this news!
“This wonderfully diverse, culturally rich, and exciting country is so much more than you would ever expect. Kyiv’s hip coffee and bar scene are only getting started, so expect a surge in the 2020s. The city also has historical cathedrals and monuments that pay homage to the nation’s past. Take a tour of the haunting Chernobyl disaster zone to learn about the nuclear incident, the devastating effects it still has on the community today, and discover a snapshot of 1980s Communist life in Ukraine.“
Source: bigseventravel.com
I’d recommend checking with your Ministry of Foreign Affairs if there are any warnings regarding traveling to Ukraine. But if you decide to come I can guarantee you won’t regret it! Traveling to Kyiv and Ukraine can be a real offbeat European adventure, like nowhere else.
Traveling to Kyiv is a real offbeat European adventure
So plan a visit to Kyiv. It is a beautiful city with an ancient history and rich culture. And believe me, despite all the negative opinions, your perception of Kyiv changes radically as soon as you step into the city. Because what you find is an extremely vivid capital with so much going on.
Mind that Kyiv is a very big city. Its overall area is 839 km2. Moreover, many things to do, landmarks, as well as bars and restaurants are scattered all around the city. Thus, visiting Kyiv requires a bit of preparation and planning ahead. If you need to know where to stay in Kyiv for a tourist check my article here – Where to Stay in Kyiv?
If you come to Kyiv for a couple of days, I would be glad to help you with the sightseeing tips. Here is my author’s ultimate guide What to See in Kyiv in One Day. And feel free to contact me for an extended version of this guide in PDF with a list of recommended places to eat. Stay safe and Happy Journeys!
About the Author
Hello! My name is Victoria, I am a private tour guide in Kyiv. If you’d like to discover all wonders and secrets of the Ukrainian capital with a professional tour guide, I would happy to be your guide! You can check my pre-designed Kiev private tours and I also may create the itinerary according to your wishes and interests.
Just let me know your ideas and I will design a tour built around a theme of particular interest that you wish to learn more about. I will take great professional care of you, making your visit one to remember.
Book a Private One Day Kiev Tour:
+380932104206
myukraine4u@gmail.com
www.bestkievguide.com
My dad’s grandfather migrated to New York from here in 1900. He was born 1874, given immigration papers in Ellis Island in 1904. Yosef Lippe
Oh, this is so nice! I have travelers families of emigrants from the USA quite often!