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Posted by Peter on March 17, 2006 at 16:39:17:
In Reply to: Flights from Kiev to Odessa posted by Steve on March 17, 2006 at 15:29:50:
Steve.
You raise a subject dear to my heart!!!
I've done the Kyiv/Odessa/Kyiv trip many, many, times
Flights from Kyiv to Odessa are b....y expensive!
However the train from Odessa is dirt cheap. It's not “western standard” but relatively clean and comfortable, although the toilets will be a shock and there's little privacy! There are two overnight trains that arrive in the morning. If you sleep you will arrive refreshed and you may have had a wonderful intro to the Ukraine.
My first trip I shared a sleeping compartment with a Ukrainian farmer and his beautiful teenage daughter who were coming back from a family wedding. We drank a bottle of moonshine Vodka (oh, the memorable hang over!) and roasted free range chicken from his farm. It was an unforgettable trip and the best possible intro to the Ukraine!
However if you're not being met in Kyiv and don't speak Russian you will be a "rich foreigner" and end up being milked for all you're worth. Everything in Kyiv will be horrendously expensive! Without Russian it will be very difficult to make your way to Kyiv "boxzal" (train station) and book yourself on the train. (Although I suppose you could catch a taxi from Borispol and say “boxzal” to the driver!)
Have you paid for your Lufthansa fare yet? Could you change your flight to from Kyiv to Vienna? There is a regular (soon to become daily) Vienna/Odessa Austrian Airways flight to Odessa and the add on will be cheaper than buying a separate Kyiv/Odessa ticket. If you could change to Austrian Airlines (their fares are quite good) you will be definitely be able to fly direct to Odessa.
Bon Voyage, if you go with an open mind you will have a wonderful time!
Peter
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