Lviv International Airport - Does this just happen to people i know?

[Svizzera_EU]

Originally Posted by Aussieuke

OK!!!. I'm trvelling to both cities mentioned and I have to read your posts!
I might be able to speak some Ukrainian and understand enough to get by but it sounds like I'll have trouble if I stick to being a tourist and speaking Australian only. So, how does one travel into the Ukraine without being ripped off?? as a local or a tourist? Do I bother in making the effort or save my money for the rest of Europe?

That reminds me its a shame that my Country rejected your Governments exchange programme. I would have been more then happy to take part. Hopefully Michelene Calmey Rey will rethink her decision.

[OstBerlin]

I never had to pay anything when travelling to or within Ukraine. Not sure at which point they could even ask me for a bribe as there are always plenty of people around.

Regarding the taxi drivers. I have made a similar experience. When coming out of arrivals at Borispol a taxi driver kept following me around. He even tried to "help" me with my bag at one point. It seems to me that if you reply to them in English they see an opportunity so I now always say "No thanks" in Russian which seems to be doing the trick.

[Svizzera_EU]

Originally Posted by stepanstas

Whenever my family and friends travel, and we depart/arrive from Lviv, they allways want some money for whatever purpose. Am i the only one who notices this?


Anyone else care to comment.

A very typical issue in Third World countries. It happens everywhere you will travel to in the Third World including the former Soviet Union.

I travel a lot and I notice this all of the time when I travel to the Third World (outside EU/EFTA/EEA).

I have been harassed too many times for my liking to give my Swiss Francs, I also carry Euros as a backup Currency.

A suggestion is that any traveller entering the Third World is to tone down their choice of dress. If you fit into the crowd then you will have less issues with coercion.

I believe in my experience in traveling that Moldova a former Soviet Republic is among the worst (Armenia, Georgia is very bad as well) I have encountered. Moldova is an extremely poor country and I expected these issues to arise frequently during my travel to Moldova some 2 years ago.

[Lvivske]

friend of mine told me how when the train passes into ukraine the "ticket guy" comes through and needs a "tax" to enter the country

[Theonelight]

I plan on coming to Kiev, Ukraine in May or June this year. This has been interesting to read to say the least... I really am employed by the United States Government and will have to check in with the U.S. Embassy while I am in Ukraine. I am not shocked to hear the stories but It is helpful to know before I go... So, thanks Luke