Hi guys, gals, im a guy whom is landing on the first of august. At 1650hrs to Sumy from Kiev Airport. Can any of you be of assistance to me as to letting me know how i can get from the kiev airport to the train station, then to sumy. What is the best option?
Any sujestions are most welcome. Thanks guys.
Probably best to take the mini-bus, "Marshrooka" I think they call it, to Sumy. It leaves from right out front of the airport every couple of hours. It will be a lot quicker than taking the train, and less risky and less of a hassle.
If you do not know some of the language it will be a task to navigate without help. Taxi drivers will immediately start a high pressure sales campaign when you get through customs. Even knowing which bus will be difficult. I think without looking Sumy will look like this in Russian "Cуми". Maybe you could buddy up with someone on the plane who would help you but that is still a problem because you may not go through customs at the same time. Other options short of hiring someone would be to have written questions in Russian you could show to people such as where is the bus for Sumy please point because I do not understand. A second option would be to purchase a sim card at the phone shop in the airport and call someone who is familiar and can talk you through it. I would get all the info such as bus numbers and maybe you could find an airport map on the Internet. Somebody on here just returned from Sumy I think.
Here is a thread by a fella who wants some chewing tobacco he may help you if you bring some for him: http://forum.fiance.com/forum2.asp?Main=ShowTopic&forumid=1&topicid=4605
Here is a thread that that trip was discussed on http://forum.fiance.com/forum2.asp?Main=ShowTopic&forumid=1&topicid=2155
good luck
last time I went from Sumy to Barispol airport it was 100 usd for a taxi but the going rate is normally 150 for taxi to meet you at the airport. the buses are out front to the left but unless you understand Russian you wont know how much it is. if you want to take the train you need the tickets in advance again if you dont speak russian how do you buy the tickets ( they can be purchased online in Russian). if you want to PM me I can give you the contact informayion of an agency in Sumy that can rent you an apartment and get have a taxi waiting for you. I think the apartment rents for 45 a night and is a western style 1 bedroom with air and internet. they also have interpreters for 5 an hour cheapest in Sumy.
You can walk up and buy train tickets also but there are a number of lines and if you get in the wrong one you may wait 30 minutes to find it is not for the train you want. The train rides much nicer than the bus but everyone should ride both at least once.
At kiev the bus to the train station is on the right and it is not expensive. On both the train and the bus the locals are usually curious if you are half way friendly and can talk a little of their language it can be an enjoyable venture.
Pumba
If you change your mind and want to be picked up at the airport, I have the number of a guy who lives in Sumy, he has worked in both the UK and USA and has good English, he is not connected to any agency.
PM me if this is of any use, he,s also a useful contact to have in case you are stuck for any reason!