Is Ukraine open to tourists again?

[frodolives 7]

My boyfriend (who is from Russia), and I are trying to find a place where we can meet that isn’t closed to tourism. We have considered Ukraine. I know they closed the borders from August 28 to September 28; but I recently saw on the Embassy website that US citizens, and other foreigners, are now allowed to enter and have the option to either quarantine, or present a PCR test with a negative result to avoid the quarantine. I believe I’d also need to buy health insurance specifically for covid costs. Does this mean that they’re completely open for tourism now as long as you have the proper documentation?

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Probably better to try to meet in Turkey.  

[frodolives 7]

6 minutes ago, gregcrs2 said:

Probably better to try to meet in Turkey.  

But is the Ukraine open for tourism?

[gregcrs2 1,778]

Just now, frodolives said:

But is the Ukraine open for tourism?

Yes, but things can change at the drop of a dime in Ukraine regarding open borders.  A male coming from Russia will be highly scrutinized.   

https://visitukraine.today/

The Mobile app you will need functions only with the SIM card of Ukrainian mobile operator.  See the link above.

[frodolives 7]

5 minutes ago, gregcrs2 said:

Yes, but things can change at the drop of a dime in Ukraine regarding open borders.  A male coming from Russia will be highly scrutinized.   

https://visitukraine.today/

The Mobile app you will need functions only with the SIM card of Ukrainian mobile operator.  See the link above.

Would it be easy to purchase a SIM card of a Ukrainian mobile operator?  How expensive is it? Neither of us feel particularly safe traveling to Turkey. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the safety of foreigners in that country. We wanted to rent an apartment for three months to get some extra time together. 

[gregcrs2 1,778]

1 minute ago, frodolives said:

Would it be easy to purchase a SIM card of a Ukrainian mobile operator?  How expensive is it? Neither of us feel particularly safe traveling to Turkey. I’ve heard mixed reviews about the safety of foreigners in that country. We wanted to rent an apartment for three months to get some extra time together. 

Don't know how much it costs or even if you could get it in the USA.   You both will need your own Ukrainian phone number (sim card) for the App software.  Turkey is safe for traveling.  We have lots of friends and relatives visiting Turkey all the time, even right now.  

[frodolives 7]

11 minutes ago, gregcrs2 said:

Don't know how much it costs or even if you could get it in the USA.   You both will need your own Ukrainian phone number (sim card) for the App software.  Turkey is safe for traveling.  We have lots of friends and relatives visiting Turkey all the time, even right now.  

Well how on earth do they expect me to have a Ukrainian SIM card if I can’t buy it ahead of time in America? Lol I’m so over COVID.

 

Edit: I just found out you can purchase Ukrainian SIM cards at the airports in Kiev? Do you suppose that would suffice? 

Edited October 2, 2020 by frodolives

[gregcrs2 1,778]

20 minutes ago, frodolives said:

Well how on earth do they expect me to have a Ukrainian SIM card if I can’t buy it ahead of time in America? Lol I’m so over COVID.

 

Edit: I just found out you can purchase Ukrainian SIM cards at the airports in Kiev? Do you suppose that would suffice? 

You need it BEFORE going through passport control.  The SIM cards are only available for purchase in the terminal once you have gone through passport control and customs.

[frodolives 7]

3 minutes ago, gregcrs2 said:

You need it BEFORE going through passport control.  The SIM cards are only available for purchase in the terminal once you have gone through passport control and customs.

It doesn’t make sense though, because how do they expect me to get one if I can’t purchase it beforehand, or after I arrive? Lol

[Cheburashka34 228]

I have this same issue. I'm trying to consider a lot of different countries around Russia

 @Strawberrymermaid met her Russian fiance in turkey in August I believe. She could tell you what it was like if she doesn't mind

[frodolives 7]

7 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

I have this same issue. I'm trying to consider a lot of different countries around Russia

 @Strawberrymermaid met her Russian fiance in turkey in August I believe. She could tell you what it was like if she doesn't mind

Thank you for your response! I really want to stick with the Ukraine plan for a number of reasons. Cost is one of them. It’s very inexpensive to rent a decent apartment from what I can tell. There must be a way to make it work; if other people have done it, there must be a way to get it done.

[Cheburashka34 228]

6 minutes ago, frodolives said:

Thank you for your response! I really want to stick with the Ukraine plan for a number of reasons. Cost is one of them. It’s very inexpensive to rent a decent apartment from what I can tell. There must be a way to make it work; if other people have done it, there must be a way to get it done.

Let us know how it goes!

[Strawberrymermaid 346]

20 hours ago, frodolives said:

Thank you for your response! I really want to stick with the Ukraine plan for a number of reasons. Cost is one of them. It’s very inexpensive to rent a decent apartment from what I can tell. There must be a way to make it work; if other people have done it, there must be a way to get it done.

Hey there. We looked at Ukraine but were told it was near impossible for a young Russian male to enter Ukraine. They would need a formal invitation of some sort (which I think you can only get from the embassy?)
 

I would recommend turkey. It’s also fairly cheap and there’s absolutely no testing or quarantine requirements. I felt very safe there. 

[TC&ND 6]

23 hours ago, frodolives said:

Thank you for your response! I really want to stick with the Ukraine plan for a number of reasons. Cost is one of them. It’s very inexpensive to rent a decent apartment from what I can tell. There must be a way to make it work; if other people have done it, there must be a way to get it done.

Have you guys thought about Belarus? It’s something we’ve been thinking about other than meeting in Turkey. Americans can enter now and Russians of course. 

[SteveInBostonI130 3,434]

Hi,

 

Yes, Ukraine's borders are open.  They evaluate the level of risk of incoming visitors based on countries.   US is high risk for them, so visitors will either have to show a negative result PCR test within 48 hours before arrival, or quarantine.  There is also the option of taking the PCR test in Ukraine, and one facility is at KBP airport.  Cost is about $60 US.  You will need to quarantine until you get the results of the test.

 

SIM cards in Ukraine are about $5-10 per month, depending on carrier and options.  Data only SIM cards are $5-7.  Adding unlimited voice and text adds about $3 .

 

For your boyfriend, the best option for him is if he has relatives in Ukraine that can invite him.  If not, he can try to enter, but he can get denied.  I am not sure if it will be easier or harder for him to try to cross the land border between Kharkiv and Belgorod.  Ask him to look into car services that cross between those cities.  They deal with the border crossing every day and would have a better idea about his circumstances.

 

If you guys get to Ukraine, I would recommend staying in the Eastern part. Russian is spoken mainly there over Ukrainian.  Or Odessa.  Cost of living in Odessa is cheaper in the winter than summer.  You may even find an apartment for 3 months for the same cost as 1 month in the summer.