Driving to Ukraine and Chernobyl. First hand experiences?
Discussion
Am driving to the Ukraine to fulfil a contract (not that kind of contract) and was considering a (large) detour to check out Chernobyl.
Any real World experiences of driving in this part of the World? Anyone been to Chernobyl and if so is it worth going to? In particular worried about state of roads (do not a have a 4x4) and potential crime and corruption issues.
Any real World experiences of driving in this part of the World? Anyone been to Chernobyl and if so is it worth going to? In particular worried about state of roads (do not a have a 4x4) and potential crime and corruption issues.
There was a programme on the tv about Chernobyl a few weeks ago, it seems a kind of eerie place, but it looked really interesting, wildlife has flourished despite the radiation, some threatened native Russian species have which were threatened have thrived in the exclusion zone around Chernobyl.
Would be a great place for a day trip if you could get there.
Would be a great place for a day trip if you could get there.
I will point my brother in the direction of this thread as he has worked in Ukraine in the last few years on a couple of contracts lasting a few months each with the last one ending 2 months ago and has had to drive there, around the place and back home again so would be a good source of information.
There was someone who posted a link a while ago of a lady going there with her kawasaki ninja,about 35 pages showing her full experience in her own website.
Best place on the planet surely,you can sleep for free too in these abandoned dorms,but seriously once you go you'll find nothing interesting,just rubbish and worthless old things left behind,just like the abandoned Coal mines here in England but a slightly bigger version + radiation sure.
Best place on the planet surely,you can sleep for free too in these abandoned dorms,but seriously once you go you'll find nothing interesting,just rubbish and worthless old things left behind,just like the abandoned Coal mines here in England but a slightly bigger version + radiation sure.
Hoygo said:
There was someone who posted a link a while ago of a lady going there with her kawasaki ninja,about 35 pages showing her full experience in her own website.
Best place on the planet surely,you can sleep for free too in these abandoned dorms,but seriously once you go you'll find nothing interesting,just rubbish and worthless old things left behind,just like the abandoned Coal mines here in England but a slightly bigger version + radiation sure.
http://www.kiddofspeed.com/Best place on the planet surely,you can sleep for free too in these abandoned dorms,but seriously once you go you'll find nothing interesting,just rubbish and worthless old things left behind,just like the abandoned Coal mines here in England but a slightly bigger version + radiation sure.
If you're driving across the border, expect to have to pay a bribe to the corrupt as f
k border guards. They will ask you if you want 'big check' or 'little check'. The little check takes about 2 hours to cross the border but you'll have to pay a bribe (around £30). The big check takes around 7 hours and they'll do a full check of your car, bags and documents.
I refused to pay the bribe on principle on the way in, after the hassle just paid the bribe on the way out.
Oh and if you get pulled by the police they will want a bribe and make up random traffic violations. If you're driving a non Ukrainian car they'll target you. Though they might be on best behavior with the Euro tournament at the moment.
Apart from that my experience in the Ukraine was good, I was planning on doing the Chernobyl tour but the government stopped doing them when I visited. I went not that long after the Japan Tsunami/fkashima power plant thing and the tours got stopped due to something to do with that.
Around £100 IIRC, I'd love to do the tour if I get the chance again.
k border guards. They will ask you if you want 'big check' or 'little check'. The little check takes about 2 hours to cross the border but you'll have to pay a bribe (around £30). The big check takes around 7 hours and they'll do a full check of your car, bags and documents. I refused to pay the bribe on principle on the way in, after the hassle just paid the bribe on the way out.
Oh and if you get pulled by the police they will want a bribe and make up random traffic violations. If you're driving a non Ukrainian car they'll target you. Though they might be on best behavior with the Euro tournament at the moment.
Apart from that my experience in the Ukraine was good, I was planning on doing the Chernobyl tour but the government stopped doing them when I visited. I went not that long after the Japan Tsunami/f
kashima power plant thing and the tours got stopped due to something to do with that.Around £100 IIRC, I'd love to do the tour if I get the chance again.
The Crack Fox said:
A very good friend (English) married a Ukrainian girl. He's a sensible chap, speaks some Russian, can look after himself. He's not on PH, but if he was, he'd almost certainly warn you that every single copper will rob you (or beat you if you refuse), most businesses will rip you off and the local hoodlums will make your life a misery unless you're very well connected. Sorry. 
I took a holiday in the Ukraine and my experience was completely different to your description. I had a great time, found the locals very friendly and never once (to my knowledge) got ripped off. No hoodlums to be seen. I travelled by train so can't comment on driving, although the roads in town looked pretty ropey.
eta: the food was the worst I have ever experienced, anywhere.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff