It would be worse with one who does not speak Russian. The man who negotiated the bus price for me got off the bus before I did. He gave the bus driver instructions on where I was to be left off and not to forget my luggage in the back. The mini bus was full. I thought I was the only one there who spoke English. When I got off, someone spoke in broken English from the back of the bus reminding me of my stop. I was always lucky that way. When I was by myself, there was always one person (only one) that spoke English.
Mr. Bowhunter. I know two people in Kiev who will help me find a place. Another is moving to Kiev. One speaks English, another not so good and the other, no English at all. If I need to find a place, I will look into your site.
Some more info about Odessa and Nikolaev - lots of girls come from small towns close to these cities - and they can't use a bus - but use a taxi - please, do not believe that - these girls just have their firends who drives them for free and gets the taxi money - 100 dollars or more - like 'quick money'.
@sunvolt: If there were, I would have used it many times... maybe some enterprising soul will set up such a service. But if he does, he will be murdered by taxi guys who would lose a fortune.
Yes there is sunvolt....but you need to change buses at train station....actually train station is not very far from Kreschatik.
But why hassle with buses to save a couple bucks. For me time is most important aspect in Ukraine. UNLESS, you want the experiences......just like taking a the freakin overnight train rides one time and never again... ;-0
If you are traveling light you can take the Metro from the train station. If you have baggage, a taxi to the center city is a better choice than commuter busses or Metro. You can get a route of the Metro online. It is only a few stops from the train station
I forgot this, but I have taken the bus to Voksal'na, and then a taxi from there to my apartment -- it is cheaper than the taxi all the way from the airport, so it kind of "splits the difference" in terms of price and convenience.
with luggage taxi is probably a better option but going rate for English speaking people is 30 dollars but they start at 50. Durak had a good idea but not many drivers at the train station speak English.They are getting a dedicated rail to KBP but its not finished yet.
There are shuttle busses from KBP airport to the train station intended to transfer airline passengers to the train or routes not covered by busses at the airport. (аэропорт). The busses stop on the street in front of the train station. (вокзал)
Beemeer: Yes there is a chart showing the bus turn around on the left side of the multi track map. To get to the Metro you pass under the tracks where the bus drops you through a tunnel.
"There are shuttle busses from KBP airport to the train station intended to transfer airline passengers to the train or routes not covered by busses at the airport. (аэропорт). The busses stop on the street in front of the train station. (вокзал)"
I highly recommend these shuttle buses over every other mode of transport. Last time I arrived at KBP I took one of these and it was almost a brand new bus with very few people on board, it went directly to the train station, and cost a small fraction of what a taxi would charge.
I always used an apartment booking service and their vehicles. Cost was ok and made it convenient to book into apartment. I can usually negotiate my way with taxis but when Im carrying a heap of luggage I just want to get to apartment and relax without trying to save $10 on the taxi. When in Kiev I usually use Marshutkas or metro unless I done some shopping and then I will take a cab.