Donetzk Customs

[fairbro]

Has anyone gone through customs in Donetzk? Either arriving or departing? Is it any different than customs through Kiev? I am worried about bringing in a guitar, that they would assess a customs fee on it. Or interrogate me about my purpose in visiting.

Thanks

[nickcsadler]

I have used Donetsk a couple of times and have never had any problems... having said that with Euro 2012 they may get a little stricter.. if you have a receipt for the guitar take it with you... and check before travelling what the official position is...

[Gotno Gizmo]

I went out from, and returned to Donetsk on a holiday flight to Egypt. I think I was probably the only non Ukrainian passenger on the flight. I didn't have a guitar but had no problems whatsover from officials. I was surprised to find no baggage carousel and that all of that flight's baggage was stacked in a pile just inside an airport door for the passengers to sift and claim.

[fairbro]

I finally got the ticket. I couldn't refuse. The price plunged from $1150 on October 28 to $819 today (November 1). And there's only a 2-hour layover in New Jersey and 30 minutes in Munich (I was thinking that might go awry, but the German efficiency will probably wait for me to transfer if my arrival in Munich is a little late).

If I'm going to go there before I need to rent a snowplow to get around, I better go now.

I have a couple of questions, if you-all don't mind...

1) The plane arrives at 15:00 (on a Wednesday). Customs, luggage, say, finished by 16:00. I'm going to Lugansk (the airport there is closed, I think, from Nov. - springtime). Should I stay in Donetsk overnight and go on to Lugansk in the morning, or is it possible to catch a bus to Lugansk in the late afternoon or evening?

2) How do you get from the Donetsk airport to the city center (for a hotel)? Is there a bus? How much is good price for a taxi? The hotel in Donetsk doesn't have an airport pickup, does it?

Thanks for info and help

[Gotno Gizmo]

From Donetsk airport it is around a 5 minute run on the way to the city to the main bus station. I cannot remember the bus route number, but I don't think there are many bus services operating from the airport. You will have to communicate to someone to indicate the stop to get off or you will go past the bus station. Going by bus to the rail station (I believe there are two) is more complicated, and I only went once by rail accompanied by my girlfriend. I prefer the buses for most journeys. If I recall correctly the last bus from Donetsk main bus station to Lugansk is around 19:00. The fare last year was 50 UAH. If the ticket office has closed you will need to pay the driver. The journey is around 2 hours.

Lugansk main bus station is on a main road near the football stadium. If you are not being met by friends, you will need to get a taxi as using the minibuses with baggage is not viable. The taxi fare within the city should not normally exceed 40 UAH.

[fairbro]

Hi Gonzo, thanks for information....

Is the bus from Donetsk to Lugansk the Gazelle or the big bus? They say "Gazelle" in Ukraine (for the minibus), I suppose?

One time I took the Gazelle between cities and I put my big suitcase on one seat and paid the driver a double fare.

[Gotno Gizmo]

The bus service between Donetsk and Lugansk was a standard 45 or so seater coach (as we say in England), as is the local bus service from Donetsk airport, which being at the start of its route is almost empty.
The 10/15 seater mini buses leaving the Lugansk main bus station is often standing room only and I personally wouldn't attempt this journey with a large suitcase. If you are staying in Lugansk for a while, the Mandarin Supermarket (although not the cheapest) has a more extensive range of quality products and I like the Melange coffee shop. If you have any dental problems, Lugansk has some good dentists and you will save a small fortunate having your teeth fixed.