On Feb. 24, 2022, Russia invaded its neighbor country Ukraine, starting a war between these two countries.
This act of invasion caused many Ukrainians to flee their country and seek shelter in places like Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, etc…
At this time, we recommend no travel to Russia or Ukraine, or any neighboring countries for your own safety.
Ukraine : Safety by CityKyiv is the capital and largest city of Ukraine with – officially – as much 3 million inhabitants.
One of the great things about Kyiv is that people here are kind and generally easygoing.
If you only speak English, many locals will accommodate you.
Many people adore living in Kyiv, even though it’s sometimes dangerous: the costs are low, the people are friendly, and the city has a lot to offer.
Since Kyiv is a huge metropolis, its cultural life is very vibrant.
There is always something to see, be it a gig, a play, an exhibition or other entertainment.
Kyiv’s nightlife is also rich.
Warnings & Dangers in Kyiv
OVERALL RISK: MEDIUM
Generally speaking, Kyiv is not too safe for visitors. It is a city where travelers aren't too common, but if you do visit, some areas should be avoided at all costs.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: MEDIUM
Driving a car in Kyiv is very dangerous and may prove fatal, especially if you didn’t get your license in Ukraine. Public transportation is one of the most common places where you'll find pickpockets operating.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: HIGH
Pickpockets are a serious issue in Kyiv, and it can occur everywhere so you should be careful particularly in crowded places, in tourist areas, in bars and nightclubs and on public transportation.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
As for natural disasters, what still represents the biggest issue in Kyiv is the legacy of the Chernobyl disaster. It is also susceptible to frequent freezing winters and storms.
MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
As for violent crime, it has been on the rise in Central Kyiv, especially after dark. This includes muggings, and armed robbery, particularly in secluded and dark streets and areas.
TERRORISM RISK: HIGH
Terrorists are likely to try and carry out attacks in Kyiv and the authorities in Ukraine have announced that they have already disrupted numerous planned attacks precisely in the capital
SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
Scamming is also an issue in Kyiv. Apart from online scams, be careful on the streets, keep an eye on your drink and always check your change twice. Be especially careful around taxi drivers trying to overcharge you.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: MEDIUM
Kyiv is not a safe place for solo female travelers. Crime is widespread throughout the country and there is political turmoil as well as terrorism threats disrupting peace in the country.
So... How Safe Is Kyiv Really?
There are many sights Kyiv offers to its visitors.
When it comes to crime, you should try and lay low and refrain from showing the fact that you’re a tourist or your belongings.
Try to fit in, as foreigners are still rare in this city.
Petty theft is an issue here, so be very careful and guard your stuff.
Kyiv, Odesa and other major cities are more accustomed to tourists, which is why pickpockets here are more common, especially in crowded places like metro, bus and train stations.
And even though bad blood between Russia and Ukraine is unlikely to affect tourists, you should know that there are no government services like police, hospitals, firefighters, ambulance services, etc.
Another big risk here is probably the traffic: namely, a lot of people don’t use seat belts even if their chosen taxi has them – a lot of Ubers don’t have seat belts.
Get a reputable taxi, an Uber Select, or take public transport.
Regarding separatists and war, it’s all politics, and if you are not a civic activist, and aggressively politically-minded personality you may just relax and enjoy discovering this amazing ancient city.
There are no protesters or separatists in the streets, but if there were, it would be wise not to join them.
How Does Kyiv Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Kyiv | 52 |
| Odesa | 47 |
| Lviv | 61 |
| Kharkiv | 55 |
| Buenos Aires (Argentina) | 60 |
| Vancouver (Canada) | 82 |
| Cordoba (Argentina) | 61 |
| Toronto (Canada) | 81 |
| Melbourne (Australia) | 80 |
| Montreal (Canada) | 81 |
Useful Information
Visas
Many countries do not need a visa to enter Kyiv. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond the planned date of your travel and you need to apply for your visa well in advance as they cannot be acquired on Ukranian airports. If you are not sure about your visa status, contact your local Ukrainian embassy for further information.
Currency
Ukrainian hryvnia is the official currency in Kyiv. ATMs are widespread throughout the country and you can expect them even outside of the city. Credit cards are also accepted in most establishments.
Weather
The climate is cold and temperate in the capital of Ukraine. Kyiv is a city with a significant amount of rainfall. Even in the driest month, there is a lot of rain. Winters here are warm without much snow while summers are rainy.
Airports
Boryspil International Airport is the country's main international airport. It is located in Boryspil, 29 km east of Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine.
Travel Insurance
Just like anywhere else, we recommend getting travel insurance when traveling to Kyiv, since it covers not only the costs of medical problems but also theft and loss of valuables.
Kyiv Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -2 | -1 | 5 | 14 | 21 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 20 | 13 | 5 | 0 |
| Low °C | -8 | -7 | -2 | 5 | 11 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 5 | 0 | -4 |
| High °F | 28 | 30 | 41 | 57 | 70 | 75 | 77 | 75 | 68 | 55 | 41 | 32 |
| Low °F | 18 | 19 | 28 | 41 | 52 | 57 | 59 | 57 | 50 | 41 | 32 | 25 |
Ukraine - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Kharkiv | 55 |
| Kyiv | 52 |
| Lviv | 61 |
| Odesa | 47 |
This is not true
You make it sound so much worse than it is. I am not even going to point out what is wrong, because most of this article is so not true. You should really review this city again.
I agree with Polina. Just came back from Kiev. Great city. Very safe
More than certain major Western European or North American cities. The person who wrote such report has not been to Kiev, certainly not recently.
Hi Massimo thank you for your review and I just had a question about traveling to Kyiv. I’m an American and I wanted to meet my lady in the city. How do you recommend I go about getting there? I will be coming from Georgia where I will be staying initially. My lady does not want to travel to me so I have to travel to her. I appreciate any recommendations you may have. thank you Dan
the article is fake, Kyiv is awesome
This article reads noty like a satirical joke poking fun at some ww2 era stereotypes. But in case anyway too it seriously — just don’t take it seriously, because the last time there were no government services, as mentioned in the article, such as the police, ambulance, the fire department etc was back in 1944.
The war with Russia is taking place in the far east and does not affect Kyiv, because it’s a positional for (think ww1 trench warfare)
I’ve been to Kyiv well over ten times and it’s one of the safest cities in the western world. There are no ‘bad’ neighborhoods, you can pretty much go anywhere, walk anywhere, see the amazing restaurants, visit the opera and if you’re a woman your experience is not going to differ at all. Ukrainians are generally very secular, pro-western and you’ll feel comfortable wearing anything you want. Public transportation is just as safe as ubers.
The only people getting scammed, for the most part, are old men visiting the country to find cheap prostitutes, but if you’re a regular person coming to enjoying the great restaurants and visit the theaters — you will have no problems.
Not true
Awful article. The author probably had never been to Kyiv.
ya
False information
All wrong on Kyiv and Ukraine. Unless you visit separatist controlled regions, you are reasonably safe (comparing to other Eastern European countries)
Top city
I absolutely loved it all and can’t wait to go back, what a beauty and the people are as good as people in England.
War
Now when Russia has attacked and bombing cities in March 2022. Visiting is dangerous.