Kiev

LOCAL ESSENTIALS

LEAVING THE AIRPORT JOIN HIGHWAY E95 IN THE DIRECTION OF KIEV (FREQUENT SIGNPOSTS). WHEN ENTERING THE CITY KEEP STRAIGHT UNTILL YOU CROSS THE SOUTH BRIDGE. THEN TAKE NABEREZHNE AVENUE (WITH THE RIVER ON YOUR RIGHTHAND SIDE) UNTILL YOU SEE SIGNS FOR KHRESCHATYK STREET. ON REACHING KRESCHATYK STREET PROGRESS TO MYKHAILIVSKA STREET AND THEN FOLLOW SIGNS TOWARDS VELYKA ZHYTOMYRSKA STREET. INTERCONTINENTAL KIEV WILL BE IN FRONT OF YOU ON THE RIGHT-HAND SIDE. DETAILED DRIVING DIRECTIONS A HOTEL TAXI OR HOTEL MINI-BUS IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST TO TAKE YOU FROM THE AIRPORT TO THE HOTEL. THE PRICES WILL VARY DEPENDING ON THE CLASS OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE BOOKED WITH THE CONCIERGE IN ADVANCE. THE AIRPORT IS LOCATED AROUND 50 KM AWAY FROM THE HOTEL AND THE DRIVE TIME FROM THE AIRPORT TO INTERCONTINENTAL KIEV CAN TAKE UP TO ONE HOUR DURING RUSH HOURS. ALTERNATIVELY, A HOTEL LIMOUSINE CAN BE ARRANGED BY CONTACTING THE CONCIERGE DESK IN ADVANCE. DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE HOTEL FROM THE SOUTH TAKE M05-E95 THEN TAKE AKADEMIKA GLUSHKOVA STREET UNTILL 40-RICHCHA ZHOVTNIA STREET. THEN TAKE DRUZHBY NARODIV STREET FOLLOWED BY VELYKA VASYLKIVSKA STREET, TOLSTOGO STREET AND VOLODYMYRSKA STREET. TURN RIGHT ONTO VELYKA ZHYTOMYRSKA STREET AND INTERCONTINENTAL KIEV WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT-HAND SIDE. DRIVING DIRECTIONS TO THE HOTEL FROM THE WEST WEST M06/E40 THEN TAKE POBEDY STREET, TARAS SHEVCHENKO BOULEVARD, VOLODYMYRSKA STREET, THEN TURN RIGHT ONTO VELYKA ZHYTOMYRSKA STREET AND INTERCONTINENTAL KIEV WILL BE ON YOUR LEFT-HAND SIDE.

USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS

Concierge Phone: +380442191919 Concierge Fax: +380442191929 Front Desk: +1-800-652-3705 Local Taxi Name & Phone: +380444932493 2K - Kosyrna Karta Tourist Info: +380442191919

USEFUL INFORMATION

LOCAL CULTURE

TIP 1

Money. Don't worry, there is no problem in exchanging money in Kiev for most common currencies such as U.S. dollars, Euros, Russian roubles, etc. They can be exchanged into the local currency, hryvnia, at any bank or one of the many currency exchange booths scattered throughout the city. Working hours are 9 a.m.-9 p.m.


TIP 2

Tipping. Usually a service charge is not included in the restaurant bill or other services like taxis, hairdressers, etc. 10% of the total bill is the customary amount for a tip. Tips are always given in cash, not charged to a credit / debit card.


TIP 3

Religion. Mostly Orthodox, there are two synagogues, one mosque, one Lutheran church and two Catholic churches in Kiev. While entering an Orthodox church female guests are kindly asked to cover their heads and wear skirts rather than shorts or trousers.


TIP 4

Photography. Photography of government institutions, military installations, embassies and church interiors is prohibited.


TIP 5

Shopping. Most shops operate 7 days a week without lunch breaks and some food stores are open 24 hours. However, not all accept credit / debit cards. A 20% VAT is charged on all consumer goods and is included into the price.


DID YOU KNOW ?

Tip 1

Geography. Ukraine has the largest territory in Europe.


Tip 2

History. Kiev city is more than 1500 years old and was founded by vikings.


Tip 3

Geography. Dnipro river is the third longest river in Europe after the Volga and Danube with a length of 2285 kilometers.


Tip 4

Architecture. There are about 4000 Orthodox churches and monasteries in Kiev, many of them dating back to 1000 years old.


Tip 5

Inventions. The first helicopter was invented by the Ukrainian Igor Sikorsky.


WHAT TO PACK

Tip 1

Foot wear. Comfortable shoes or trainers – prepare for the cobble stone city streets of Kiev, the climbs to beautiful historic sights and walks through lovely parks and botanical gardens.


Tip 2

Camera. When going for a walk or excursion, bring a camera with you. Kiev city is proud of its historic heritage: amazing churches and beautiful views. But please take care to look after your belongings in public areas.


Tip 3

Money. It is advisable to have at least some cash, in local currency with you at all times; local taxis and some shops accept payment in cash only (Euros or Dollars – can easily be exchanged in the city’s many banks).


Tip 4

Winter clothing. It can get very cold during the winter months, often down to minus 20 degrees Celsius, so pack some warm layers.


concierge.kiev@ihg.com