Travel advisory · UkraineGovernments advise against all travel to Ukraine.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Crimea · avoid all travel · Germany, New Zealand, UK, US
- Zaporizhzhia · avoid all travel · Germany, Spain
Also named by one government: 50 km strip along the Belarus border (UK), All other regions of Ukraine (UK), Chernihiv (Spain), Dnipro (Spain), Donbas (Spain), Donetsk (Germany), Eastern parts of Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts (US), Kharkiv (Spain), Kherson (Germany), Luhansk (Germany), Odessa (Spain), Sumy (Spain), Chernivtsi (UK), Chernobyl (Spain), Ivano-Frankivsk (UK), Lviv (UK), Rivne (beyond 50 km of Belarus border) (UK), Ternopil (UK), Volyn (beyond 50 km of Belarus border) (UK), Zakarpattia (UK), Zhytomyr (beyond 50 km of Belarus border) (UK)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | Advises against all travel to most regions; all but essential travel to some western regions | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Do not travel to Ukraine for any reason | Aug 28, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Avoid all travel | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | Vor Reisen in die Ukraine wird gewarnt (Reisewarnung) | Oct 13, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Do not travel to Ukraine | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Formellement déconseillé : tout le territoire ukrainien | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Kyiv
Kyiv is a city for 11th-century churches, a cave monastery on the hills above the Dnipro, and the old merchant quarter of Podil by the river.
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Kyiv is the capital of Ukraine, in the central part of the country on the high right bank of the Dnipro River. It is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe. Its history runs back to Kyivan Rus, the medieval state centered here from about the 9th to the 13th century, and much of that past is still visible. St. Sophia Cathedral, built in the 11th century, sits inside a large complex with its original mosaics and frescoes. The Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a monastery with underground cave churches and catacombs, sits on the hills above the river.
Plan at least three days for a first visit. That covers the main churches, the Podil district by the river, and a walk down Andriivskyi Descent, a steep historic street. Borscht, varenyky dumplings and Kyiv cake are good starting points for the food. Late spring and early autumn suit walking best. Check your government's current travel advice before you book, since conditions in Ukraine have changed sharply since 2022.
Kyiv in five
- Install the Air Alarm app before you landThe Air Alarm app (Повітряна тривога) sends air raid alerts by region. Keep alerts switched on and note the nearest metro station or shelter at each place you stay.
- Get mobile data working earlyKyivstar, Vodafone Ukraine and lifecell are the main mobile operators. Get data working soon after you land, since maps, ride-hailing and alert apps all depend on it.Phones and eSIM
- Carry hryvnia for markets and minibusesCards work in most hotels, shops and restaurants, but some markets, small cafés and minibus drivers take only cash. Keep small hryvnia notes for those and for tips.Money and costs
- Use the metro to cross central KyivThe metro is quick and reaches most of central Kyiv. Stations can serve as shelters during alerts. Check the route on a live map app before you ride.Getting around
- Check your insurance for war exclusionsMany standard travel policies exclude war-related claims. Read the terms on alerts, evacuation and cancellation, and buy cover that names Ukraine.Travel insurance
Things to do in Kyiv
See all attractions in Kyiv
Need to know
- Currency
- Hryvnia (UAH)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports for short stays; check the rules for yours Read more
- Emergency
- 102 police, 103 ambulance, 101 fire; 112 also works
- Tipping
- About 10% in restaurants is customary; round up for taxis
- Time
- UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Festival
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryCold, snowy
- FebruaryCold, gray
- MarchThaw, mud
- AprilEarly spring
- MayChestnuts bloom
- JuneLong days, warm
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustWarm, green
- SeptemberMild, golden
- OctoberAutumn color
- NovemberGray, damp
- DecemberCold, short days
Festivals: Jul Atlas Festival
Right now in Kyiv
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
8
- Feels like
- 7°
- Humidity
- 90%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 3%
Kyiv
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today8°6°3%Monday: Fog. High 8°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 3%.
- Tue8°5°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 8°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Wed5°1°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 5°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu5°0°15%Thursday: Rain. High 5°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 15%.
- Fri6°1°33%Friday: Rain. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Sat3°-1°9%Saturday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -1°. Chance of rain 9%.
- Sun6°0°9%Sunday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 9%.
Updated 07:07 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 45.44 UAH
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Every year
- JulAtlas FestivalKyiv
Day trips by train
- Chernihivabout 2 to 3 hours by trainA quiet northern city with medieval churches, a good day out from the capital.
- Kanivabout 2 to 3 hours by carA river town on the Dnipro where the poet Taras Shevchenko is buried on Chernecha Hora.
- Vyshhorodabout 1 hour by carA small historic town on the Dnipro just north of the city, easy for a half day.
Before you go to Kyiv
Rules for Kyiv, checked
- Check entry rules and current travel advice on the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gov.ua) before you fly.Source
- Photographing military vehicles, checkpoints and some official buildings can lead to questions. Ask before you photograph anything military.
- Carry your passport at all times, because police and checkpoint staff may ask for identity documents.
Plan around Kyiv
Podil, Maidan, Pechersk and quieter streets compared
Read the guideGetting around KyivMetro, buses, trains and taxis for day trips
Read the guideMoney and costsCards, cash and typical prices for a city break
Read the guideVisas and entryVisa-free rules and where to check your passport
Read the guidePhones and eSIMOperators, data and offline maps before you land
Read the guideTravel insuranceWar exclusions, alerts and cancellation cover
Read the guideKyiv FAQ
Is it safe to visit Kyiv?
Kyiv has regular air raid alerts and has been hit by missile and drone attacks since 2022. Check your government's current advice and the Air Alarm app before you book, and know where your nearest shelter is.
Do I need a visa for Ukraine?
Many passports can enter visa-free for short stays. Check the rules for your passport on the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site before you fly.
What is the best time to visit Kyiv?
May, June, September and October are the most pleasant months, with mild weather and long days in early summer. Winter is cold and gray.
How many days do you need in Kyiv?
Three days covers the Pechersk Lavra, St. Sophia Cathedral, Podil and Maidan at a steady pace. Add a day for museums or a day trip out of the city.
Is Kyiv worth visiting?
Yes, for a city break with two UNESCO-listed sites: St. Sophia Cathedral and the Pechersk Lavra. Podil and the central streets are good for walking.
Where should you stay in Kyiv?
Podil suits old streets and restaurants, Khreshchatyk and Maidan suit transport links, and Pechersk suits the Lavra. Choose a place near a metro line.