Kiev Airport
Past Worst Airport Winner
Lasting Impressions....
Memorable comments left by travellers:
"over the past 12 Months there has been a Massive improvement in this Airport, I hate to think what it used to be like, Years Ago." (Steve)
"I just wanted to tell Malcolm from England that if he hasn't seen stray dogs in Kiev then it's because he hasn't actually left his hotel room or the airport." (Paul)
"I found a window ledge to lay on by a heater, and was able to get a little sleep." (Ben)
"announcements were so loud, I turned my headphones up all the way and could STILL make out every word they said. " (?)
"don't listen to the announcements. They are incorrect very often." (Jacek)
"And please be careful of policemen. They don't speak foreign languages except of Ukrainian and really cannot believe you could come to the Ukraine as a tourist." (Jacek)
"By far the most abysmal airports I have seen are in Russia/Ukraine is the airport in Kiev ,,,,no lights,,,, looks like a prison" (Michael Dempsey)
"no fewer than four Customs "officials" tried for bribes while I outprocessed the airport. I feigned ignorance at their requests, smiled and pointed to my visa. That finally was annoying enough for me to get through." (?)
"The best thing about Simferopol Airport is walking across the tarmac on the way out." (?)
FEATURED REVIEWS
by Chris0978
I went to Kiev, Ukraine this past December and I must say it was an interesting and humbling experience. I got my first taste of the real "Eastern Europe" environment. The airport was cold since it was winter and there was hardly any heating unless you sit on the window ledges next the entrances that actually had heating. I actually got there early, like the night before my flight since I didn't want to pay for a hotel. So I was kept company by one of the locals that made the time go fast. The announcements are loud, frequent and in Russian as well as in English. The staff is fairly friendly. It is by far the best airport I have been to in the former Soviet Union.
by aerodromo, 8/14/2009
Arrived in Kiev by train late in the evening and found nearby hostels full, so opted for the last night in this airport. I had passed by there several times-as short as possible. Buses Trainstation-airport also run all night-about hourly. Minibus was full, then left. (note: the trainstation will be cleared by police after 24.00 or so-they check anyone still staying for tickets, there ia also a paid secure waiting lounge, at new=airportbusside, which cost about 1 to stay-but expresly forbid any sleeping).
On arrival by 1.00 am found airport full to bursting with waiting passenegrs-including a whole schoolclass/youthgroup from Azerbaizjan. Nearly all seats (hard metal, with some armrests) taken. Many people sleeping/dozing or trying to. No annoying police orr security. Took a seat in the self-serve-cafetaria area (single Mc.Donalds style rotating), read a little, did some puzzles, walked around (cheap coffeemachiens abound), saw the internetshop-open 24 hrs, but found it too pricey. Some money exchange also open 24 hrs-but no good rates (changed later remaining hriven when others opened). No sleep possible. BY 4.00 many flights started check-in, but still no seats open. Around 5.00 nice (late may) sunrise and dawn. Teastall near parking lot opened=lowest prices. The domestic terminal-nearby and quite small-showed more space, dont know if that would be open also 24 hrs, as that would offer more space.
BY 8.00 my flight opened for check-in (even this is strictly monitored in this too small airport)-spent last hriven for more coffee-and joined the queue.
Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:
- taxi drivers occupy most seats in arrivals
- benches
- the occasional helpful security guard
- noisy
- cold
- clean bathrooms
- no toilet paper
- plastic seats with armrests
- bribery
Kiev Travel Sites
- Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Kiev - I've booked my own accommodation on this site. If you are too old for hostels and too cheap for hotels, like me, you'll find some good properties. They offer dorms, private rooms, B&Bs, Apartments.
