Trip Planning
The TakeYourBackpack guidebooks are your all-in-one travel companion, featuring the best cities, national parks, hikes, beaches, and unique sites, along with essential tips on when to go, how to get around, exchanging money, and even local phrases to get you started — everything you need for a smooth, unforgettable backpacking adventure.
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Personal tip: I normally search on good rating for atmosphere (for meeting people) and location (for easy exploring). Cleanliness as a bonus.
Travel Essentials
Routine vaccinations are essential for visiting Ukraine, including measles-mumps-rubella (MMR), diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella (chickenpox), polio, and your yearly flu shot. Consider getting vaccinations for hepatitis A and B, as well as rabies if you plan on spending time outdoors or with animals. Typhoid is recommended if you’re planning to eat street food or visit smaller towns. Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice.
vaccination requirementsWhen I first started traveling, I often spent part of my first day in a new country hunting for a local SIM card. While this can still be slightly cheaper, it also takes time and planning.
These days, it's much simpler to install an eSIM before leaving home. Once you arrive in Ukraine, you can activate it immediately and have mobile data from the moment you land — which is especially useful for ordering transport or navigating away from busy airports.
There are many providers nowadays, and price differences are usually small. I personally go with Airalo, as it offers excellent network coverage throughout the country and strong global coverage, so you can manage multiple countries from a single app.
Get your e-sim for UkraineCulture & Customs
Always greet with a firm handshake and maintain eye contact. Dress modestly when visiting churches; women should cover their heads. Avoid discussing politics, especially related to Russia. When invited to someone’s home, bring a small gift like flowers or chocolates.
For LGBTQ+ travelers, it’s wise to avoid public displays of affection as attitudes can be conservative. Women might encounter old-school gender norms; in cities, it’s less pronounced. Keep an eye on your belongings in crowded places, and use licensed taxis or reputable rideshare apps.
Trying traditional food is always a great way to experience the culture. Here are some must-try dishes for Ukraine.
- Borscht: This vibrant beet soup is a staple in Ukrainian households. It’s typically served with sour cream and a slice of rye bread. Borscht is not just food; it’s a symbol of home and comfort, often bringing families together.
- Varenyky: These dumplings are Ukraine’s answer to comfort food, stuffed with anything from potatoes to cherries. They’re a key part of Ukrainian culinary tradition and are often served during holidays and celebrations.
- Holubtsi: Cabbage rolls filled with rice, minced meat, and spices, then simmered in tomato sauce. Holubtsi are a holiday favorite and represent the hearty, home-cooked goodness of Ukrainian cuisine.
- Salo: Cured slabs of pork fat, usually served with black bread and garlic. It’s a bit of an acquired taste but is deeply rooted in Ukrainian culture as a symbol of hospitality and rural life.
- Deruny: These potato pancakes are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, often served with sour cream. They’re a popular breakfast choice and a great way to start the day the Ukrainian way.
Tap water in Ukraine is generally not recommended for drinking due to potential contamination issues; locals often boil or filter it first. Tourists are advised to stick to bottled or filtered water to be safe. Bottled water is widely available and won’t break the bank.
The main language in Ukraine is
Ukrainian. Backpacking is way more rewarding if you know a bit of the local language, so I'd suggest brushing up on the basics just in case your Ukrainian skills have become a bit rusty.
Want to understand locals better?The complete Travel Guide for Ukraine includes 52 essential words and phrases — greetings, thank-yous, ordering food, transport, numbers, and common local expressions you'll actually hear.
Get your local basic phrases 👉
Get the Travel Guide - proficiency in Ukraine varies significantly by region and demographic. In major cities like Kyiv, Lviv, and Odesa, you’ll find a higher percentage of English speakers, particularly among younger people, professionals, and those in the tourism industry. Many university students and graduates, especially in fields like IT and business, are often fluent or conversational in English.
In rural areas, however, English is less commonly spoken, and communication may be more challenging. Older generations tend to have limited English skills, as it was not widely taught during the Soviet era.
Overall, while you can navigate urban areas and tourist attractions with relative ease using English, learning a few basic Ukrainian or Russian phrases can enhance your experience and interactions. It’s also helpful to have translation apps on hand for more remote locations.
Money & Payments
The local currency of Ukraine is UAH (₴).
ATMs: Ukraine has a decent number of ATMs, especially in cities. However, rural areas can be hit or miss. Stick to ATMs attached to banks for safety and reliability, and remember that some machines might not offer an English interface. Also, try to withdraw larger amounts at once to minimize transaction fees.
Cash: It’s smart to carry some cash, particularly for small purchases or in rural areas where card acceptance is still spotty. Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) is the local currency, and you’ll need it for most transactions since smaller businesses rarely accept foreign currency.
Dollars/Euros: Always handy to have a few dollars or euros tucked away as they can be exchanged easily at banks or currency exchange kiosks. Just be sure the bills are in good condition as banks can be picky about that.
Card Acceptance: In larger cities, credit and debit cards are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops. Visa and MasterCard are the safest bets. However, don’t rely solely on cards, especially when traveling to smaller towns or local markets.
Exchanging Money: Currency exchange kiosks are common and generally offer competitive rates. Avoid changing money at airports due to lower rates. Always count your cash before leaving the counter and double-check rates to ensure you’re getting a fair deal.
In Ukraine, tipping is appreciated but not obligatory. Leaving around 10-15% in restaurants is common if the service was good. For other services, rounding up the bill or leaving small change is generally sufficient.
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Best Backpacking
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Over the years, I've learned the importance of packing minimally. It's so much easier to jump on the back of a truck or squeeze yourself into the last spot of a minibus without that supersized backpack. If you're headed to a warm destination, leave your winter jacket at home; for colder regions, opt for thin thermal underlayers. Instead of packing your entire wardrobe, bring just three sets of clothes, as laundry facilities are available everywhere.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.