Luhansk Transportation Tips by NickTaylor

'Mode': TO
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: Excellent UK based Travel Agency based in the North West offering just about everything you need for a trip. Their award winning website also contains visa info and you can download an application form (A visa is not now mandatory for a short visit)

I booked railway tickets through them Kiev-Lugansk and picked them up from a travel agency near Kreshatik when I arrived in Kiev.

Highly recommended. Check out their website.

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Phone: +44(0)161 652 5050
Website: www.ukraine.co.uk/
Other Contact: mailto:info@ukraine.co.uk

'Mode': TO
Category: Train
Getting TO/AROUND: Trains are a very reliable way to travel within Ukraine it is also very inexpensive.

Train tickets can be purchased at the railway stations and offices, and in a few travel agencies.

Please, note that knowing some Ukrainian or Russian will be useful at the railway station since English language is not a skill enjoyed by many of the staff. Also, tickets cannot be reserved and must be bought. The tickets are bookable within a 42 day window prior to the departure date. Train tickets are not available any earlier. You are advised to buy early to beat demand.

Payment for the linen and towels is payable directly to a steward UAH 5-15 (which is USD 1-3) in local currency.

Rail tickets data is printed in Ukrainian and Russian and contains passenger's last name in Russian. You may be requested to show your passport for identification upon boarding a train and when buying tickets.

The majority of trains have sales of alcohol and soft drinks, water and snacks.

It is a good idea to take some food with you: bottled water, snacks, and fruits, or anything that will not spoil if stored at room temperature.

Getting food from train station vendors is not safe, no matter how delicious it looks.

It is a rare occasion to find toilet paper in a train lavatory or the paper might appear to be of a poor quality. Moisturized tissues will be handy too since washing water might be hard to come by.

Carry bottled water for drinking, brushing teeth and washing up.

There is no division into carriages for smokers and non-smokers on Ukrainian trains. It is prohibited to smoke in cabins and passage ways.

Keep money, documents and valuables on yourself.

Do not leave your cabin for a long time.

Keep all your luggage in special boxes under lower berths.

Do not leave your luggage with strangers.

Lock the cabin door during the night time.

Do not accept food and alcohol from unknown passengers.

Get 1st class tickets (Spany Vagon, SV) when available. You can also travel alone if you wish - just book a full cabin for yourself.

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'Mode': AROUND
Category: Other
Getting TO/AROUND: The railway station is situated on the fringe of the city and it is a relatively long walk from downtown.

When long distance trains arrive at Lugansk there are usually a large number of local taxi drivers touting for business. Some have vehicles that are recognisable as taxis but others appear to be ordinary private vehicles whose owners are looking for a little additional income.

The inexperienced visitor to Lugansk is at risk of being ripped off here. Please be careful.

My wife's grandfather is a retired taxi driver and is willing to meet visitors referred by us and carry them for a reasonable cost. If you are interested e-mail me.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Airplane
Getting TO/AROUND: Flights are operated by Lugansk Airways from Zhulhany Airport Kyiv. Flights are not usually available at weekends and are irregular during the week often subject to cancellation at short notice.

You can buy tickets from an agent at Borispol or at Zhulhany. Tickets Lugansk-Kyiv can be bought from an agent located at Lugansk railway station. The cost is approximately $50 one way.

Do not expect any sugar coating on this flight. The aircraft is an Antonov twin prop. You carry on board your own luggage and then sit around waiting for it to fire up. Don't expect anyone to speak much English and don't expect an inflight meal.

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'Mode': TO
Category: Bus
Getting TO/AROUND: Autolux buses operate a network of bus services in Ukraine.

They have a website that is viewable in English with timetable. An example is shown below:

Route 514
Borispol Airport, Kiev to Lugansk
Depart 17:35 Arrive 06:45
Cost $15

If you are on a tight budget and don't mind overnight bus travel this could be for you!

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Website: http://www.autolux.com.ua/index.php?d=index&lang=en