Kiev Airport
Past Worst Airport Winner
Lasting Impressions....
"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." (?)
Good times
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.
Not a bad place, but not great either
by mike the idiot from georgia
"First, no sleeping was attempted in the airport. But I wanted to mention two things. First, don't declare anything when you come into Ukraine ...there is about a 40 tax on anything you bring in that you declare. So, it isn't a gift,until you give it to someone!! The second part of this story stems from the first. I was the only idiot to declare something. So I had to pay the tax..but, I had no hrevna(money) to pay the tax! Catch 22 time. The beautiful girl at the customs counter--thankfully she spoke some english--looked at me like I was an ......Idiot. I could see it in her eyes--why did this fool declare this!!! We haggled over the various prices of items. It was sort of like bartering for something at the Khan in Cairo but in reverse!!! She was very patient and I am amazed that she never laughed or yelled at me. Looking back on the experience ...I should have asked for her phone number. She was much nicer than the girl I visited. and more honest to boot. So, if you pass through customs in Kiev, and you get the beautiful, patient girl that works customs...please tell her thank you and Hi for the idiot from Georgia, She is the nicest girl I have never met. :) Oh, kiev is beautiful, the people are friendly, Food is great, I loved the week I spent there. "
Um, you may want to rethink sleeping in this place
I myself am Ukrainian so I was ready to experience a full post-soviet Ukrainian attitude around the airport (especially sharp in cases if u have not been in Ukraine for last several years and forgot how people may react to u and how rude majority of them may be).
I don't really remember a lot about airport inside--I arrived and just picked up my luggage. But I can recall that it took forever for the luggage workers to finally do their job.
Something that stricken me was the actual airport as u get out. I was told that as soon as I get out, there will be mini buses to go to the city. Directions sounded pretty easy and clear, however in reality it was a mass--small room before the exit, loooots of people, no information place or someone who might give directions, lots of bus and cab drivers pooling u in different directions, people pushing, yelling... it all just seemed too stressful, rude, unorganized, etc in comparison to normal European airports... would really try to avoid the airport in the future
Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the reviews on the next page for the most up-to-date info:
- 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
