I'm just curious if others on here have done this and what it's like? I've never travelled within Ukraine this way only by their local propeller style planes (which scared the crap out of me and I don't have much desire to ever do again) Is it safe? Is it cheap? How long does a train ride take on average say from Kiev to Odessa?
Imagine 1960 era trains in the USA. That is what they look like and feel like. The sleeping bunks were designed for midgets and rock hard. By the way, it was an overnight train from Dnepropetrosvk to Simferopol.
In August (2007) I traveled from Donetsk to Simferopol with a beautiful lady in a First Class private berth and it was one of the most romantic things I have ever done.
I'm 6'2" and I had no trouble stretching out on the "sleeping bunk". So according to the poster above, I must be midget. They weren't especially WIDE, however. But ehy were soft - and there was fresh sheets and pillow cases, etc. even though actually ours was an afternoon, to evening trip (we got int at around midnight).
I sat with this incredibly gorgeous woman (my lady) drinking Georgian wine, and eating cheese bread and sausage as we watched the Ukranian country side pass by. We watched people fishing on a large lake and listed to music (brought with us).
Anyone who could complain about OUR experience doesn't have a romantic bone in their body. It was terrific.
thanks Tringa. i do realise that my in depth knowledge and insight about the social political situation and my understanding of the psyche morals and consciousness of russian ukranian women is much valued on this forum . There has been a deep moral vaccuum missing from this forum and of course i will try to offer my guidance and expertise on these and any other spiritual matters.
Batman - Its a great idea to travel by train with a Ukrainian girl.
Make SURE though that you go by FIRST CLASS - you get a private berth, clean sheets, and pillow cases, just TWO beds per berth, even a little toiletry kit.
SECOND CLASS - means four people to the private berth (and of course, you won't know them). Berth is the same size but there are TWO bunks on each side, like bunk beds (two sets).
My lady's sister recently travelled by second class from Kiev to Donetsk and was supposed to have the bottom bunk on one side. Only the guy who was supposed to have the top bunk above her (whom she didn't know of course) didn't want to sleep or sit in his bunk - the bottom bunk doesn't fold up like the top bunk does, and is used also os a seat. And he prefered to USE it as a seat, making sleeping an impossibility for my lady's sister.
Jet
The lady I was with bought the tickets for the overnight trip. We had only two bunks, It was a private suite. I don't think it was first class. At least not first class like in the US. It was an old soviet era train.
The meal sucked. We went to the meal car and the kitchen was closed. So we had tea and some stale bread for dinner. You would think that with a full train they would have had the kitchen open. The smart Ukrainians probably brought their own food. After sleeping like a pretzel for the night we arrived in Simferopol around 6 AM. Then took a mini bus to our resort in Aloshta.
Cycleserg: What you are decribing IS First Class. Its NOT first Class like in the US - but then except for a few VERY UPSCALE hotels in Ukraine - NOTHING is really First Class as in the US.
The trip I was on did not serve a meal of ANY kind. And there was no dining car (to be closed open). I walked the length of the train, through every car, and determined that.
If you expect to be pampered, western style, Ukraine is not for you (as mentioned before, with the exception of certain very upscale hotels like the Don Bass Palace in Donetsk, which is top notch).
If you are with a very lovely lady, however, sipping Georgian wine and eating chease bread (that we brought WITH us). A more romatic situation cannot be had at any price.
Perhaps the difference between your situation and mine, was the company you had.
You have to be in the right frame of mind to do this. If you barely know each other, don't speak the same language, and are simply using the train as a way to get from one place to the other, while getting a little shut-eye in between, maybe its not for you.
You've got to be in Ukraine, and dating a Ukrainian lady, for the whole experience. But if you were looking for First Class accomodations like those found in big airlines 767 - then I can see where you were dissappointed (and slightly delusional).
Thanks for the info guys. I'm not sure if it is for me or not but maybe someday I will do it.
I think I will enlist the aid of Batman if I go by train there though, that way he can kick the butts of any crooks that try to do any harm to me. :-)))
Could be a little crowded there though... what, with you, your girl, Batman and his regular sidekick, Robin....
But seriously - though I had heard of stories of crimes etc. on trains - I never felt even slightly in peril in any way whatsoever. As safe as safe can be.
World's Greatest Detective, #6 rated martial artist in the world, master stategist--others have taken him lightly and have been defeated. Ask a White Martian what they call him--er me!
When we go Batman see if Robin, Nightwing and Huntress want to come along too for extra back-up for us. ;-)
You guys are really tempting me to "nerd it out" and start talking superheroes and comics here but I will hold back because this is a forum for marrying Russian women. But maybe I could mention Natasha Romanova "The Black Widow" from Marvel comics. Former KGB/Soviet spy and now an American superhero. She's a Russian woman so that would be okay wouldn't it? :-)))))
I prefer Natasha and Boris!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Of Bullwinkle fame.....just to keep in stride with russian theme here!!!!!!!!!!!
Globe..I may be using train service from kiev to odessa next week...overnight train. Don't want to stay at airport hotel. Just concerned about being able to sleep comfortably enough. I know price is right, will get quote today.