Quick facts about kyiv 

Kyiv: The capital of Ukraine, city-hero, center of the Kyiv region. It is the largest city in the country and is a political, industrial, scientific, and cultural centre. According to the legend, the city was founded by brothers Kyi, Schek and Khoryv and their sister Lybid in the 5th century.

Climate: Temperate continental. It is mainly characterized by plenty of precipitation and cloudiness in the autumn. Winters are usually long and cold. Warm clothes and umbrellas are necessary in October and November. The average temperature in October is 8-11 degrees Celsius (°C) above zero.

UTC/GMT Offset: Summer time: GMT +3 hours; Winter time: GMT +2 hours

Electricity: Voltage: 220 V AC, 50 Hz

Phone Code: International code: (+380) 44. In Ukraine: (044). To call abroad: Dial 810+country code+area code.

Mobile Network: International roaming is quite expensive in Ukraine. If you wish to stay available for calls in Ukraine and your cell phone supports standards GSM 900 or GSM 1800, a prepaid package can be purchased. The package contains a Simcard - a chip for plugging into the phone and a voucher for the prepaid minutes. You can add minutes to your phone account by purchasing new vouchers.
 These packages are sold widely.

Currency: The national currency of Ukraine is Hryvnia (UAH).

Currency Exchange

You can exchange currency for Hryvnias at a number of locations throughout the city. If you are arriving at Boryspil International Airport, you will find currency exchange offices located in the airport, but please note that the exchange rate will be lower than in Kyiv.

Once you are in the city, we suggest that you change money into local currency at major hotels or official exchange offices. New exchange offices are popping up all over the city. The exchange rate is sure to change substantially by the time you read this.

Beware of changing money on the streets or with private individuals. It is illegal and can be dangerous.

For calculations use Universal Currency Converter.

Credit Cards

In Ukraine payments are done both in cash and by using a credit card, because many shops, restaurants, hotels, etc. have terminals to enable you to pay with a credit card. For payment you can use such cards as Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard.

ATMs

If you need to withdraw cash from your credit card, you can use one of the ATMs, as there are many of them in Kyiv. When using ATMs, be very attentive: check whether it accepts your card, and most importantly, do not forget your PIN. Remember that the ATM can withdraw interest from your card if it does not belong to your bank.

Useful phone numbers

Short Service Numbers (from mobile and stationary):
101 – fire service
102 – police
103 – ambulance
104 – emergency gas service
112 – universal emergency number

Taxis:
Taxi Twist - 501-69-69
Express Taxi - 239-15-15
Absolut Taxi - 455-95-95
Panda Taxi - 379-00-79
Avalon Taxi - 22-111-33
Simka - 501-07-07

Air Transport
Airport «Borispol» Background on international flights – 585-72-54
Airport «Borispol» Reference Bureau – 296-7243

Medical Facilities and Services
Hospital Care Rapid – 518-9374
«Medicom» – 234-4244
«Boris» – 423-0303
«Hippocrates» – 427-4967

 Useful phrases

Before travelling to Ukraine it will be useful to learn some basic phrases that will help you to communicate with local residents. You can see them here. Ukrainians are very hospitable, and if they hear from a foreigner a few words in Russian or Ukrainian, even if it is just «Thank you», «Sorry», «Please», or «Do you speak in English?», they will help you with pleasure.
On arrival in Ukraine, ask the hotel administrator to give you a card with the name and address of the hotel. This will help you with communicating with taxi drivers or people on the street.

Lost & Found  

Lost Anything?

All items are kept in the venue or the theatre in which they were found for the duration of the festival from October 23-31, 2010. After the festival, lost and found items are kept for two weeks until they are claimed. Items that are unclaimed after two weeks are donated to charity. If you have any lost and found issues, contact guest@molodist.com