--- title: "Bicycle touring in Ukraine | Cycle Planet" description: "Cycling Ukraine: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." canonical_url: "https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine" meta: "og:description": "Cycling Ukraine: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there." "og:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BUkraine%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBVa3JhaW5lOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_Eastern%2BEurope%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvdWtyYWluZSI%2Cs_W4DvS2K7BRh8ZIFD.png" "og:image:height": "600" "og:image:type": image/png "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "Bicycle touring in Ukraine" "twitter:image": "https://cycleplanet.org/_og/d/c_Blauwdruk%2Ctitle_Bicycle%2Btouring%2Bin%2BUkraine%2Cdescription_~Q3ljbGluZyBVa3JhaW5lOiB2aXNhLCBib3JkZXIgY3Jvc3NpbmdzLCBzYWZldHksIHRyYW5zcG9ydCwgcGxhY2VzIHRvIHNsZWVwIGFuZCBwb2ludHMgb2YgaW50ZXJlc3QsIGZyb20gY3ljbGlzdHMgd2hvIHdlcmUgdGhlcmUu%2Cheadline_Eastern%2BEurope%2CsiteName_Cycle%2BPlanet%2Clogo_CP%2Cp_Ii9jb3VudHJpZXMvdWtyYWluZSI%2Cs_W4DvS2K7BRh8ZIFD.png" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://cycleplanet.org/llms.txt) Eastern Europe # Ukraine [**View on the map**](https://cycleplanet.org/map?at=48.379433,31.16558,6.5) [** Download GPX (6) **](https://cycleplanet.org/api/gpx/UA) ## **About ** No information about this yet. Been here? Help the next cyclist. [Add information](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/about) ## **People ** In the beginning people are a bit hesitant, but as soon as they realize that you are a good person, they go wild. Robin: "After Poland, where people are a bit stiff, this was a relief! Many people ask what you do and where you come from, but they are certainly not pushy. Very helpful, smiley (nice if you sometimes don't understand each other)." Hans: "I met many nice and interested people. In the train I was sometimes helped with the bike while there was not really room for it." Last updated 16 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/people) ## **Visa ** Some nationalities can enter Ukraine without a visa for up to 90 days. Some other nationalities need to obtain an e-visa or a normal visa. Source: [**Wikipedia**](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Ukraine). Last updated 20 Mar 2021 by [Cycle Planet](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/RYFRjpH3DfdWPpRfG9MIFBSPzH33) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/visa) ## **See and do **(2) Sorted by most likes 1. [![See \& do](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/SeeDo.png)**1. Khotyn Fortress**See & doWonderful castle. Visit costs 70 UAH per person. Campsite possible on the castle area.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/90b12418-4a0d-4988-a7cf-73984a0fd36b) 2. [![See \& do](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/SeeDo.png)**2. Verkhovna Rada**See & doVerkhovna Rada and the beautiful place to see, walk, ride and take pictures!](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/30ba6cd9-f6e7-4fe5-94c0-03d0215593c5) ## **Sleeping ** ### **Staying with locals** Lodging is also possible with private persons. If you spend the night here, they will usually cook for you. Then take care of small souvenirs. ### **(Formal) camping** The very few campsites that exist can be found mainly on the Black Sea coast. Without a problem you can ask people if you can put up your tent in their yard or garden. After some surprise you soon get good contact and cups of tea (or vodka...). ### **Ho(s)tels** Hotels can be found in almost every small and larger city. With daily distances of at least 70 km, this is no problem. ### **Wild camping** Free camping is possible. Many grasslands are not fenced and are grazed very extensively. Herds pass over it under the supervision of shepherds or farmers, storks search for food. In Kiev you can camp on the island in the middle of the river. During the European Championship 2012, this was used as a camping site. Ivo: "Just leave the road and hide yourself behind some trees. Farmers won't be surprised to see you in the morning." Last updated 16 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/sleeping) ## **Places to sleep **(3) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Wild camping](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Wildcamping.png)**1. Wild camp**Wild camping](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/1356018c-a914-4cd3-b451-25eeb8829a5d) 2. [![Wild camping](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Wildcamping.png)**2. Wild camping at picnic site**Wild campingNice place between road and river. Toilets available.](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/5459b862-d748-4c8e-aab1-70133cc6a848) 3. [![Wild camping](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Wildcamping.png)**3. Wildcamping place in the forest**Wild campingNice and quiet place in the wild nature](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/b5ac6275-9e4f-4937-964f-ac79b773661a) ## **Safety ** Ukraine is a safe country. Cycling alone (also as a woman) is no problem. Robin: "People always say that there would be so many bandits, even in the country itself, but we only found treasures." ### **Traffic** In general there is little traffic. Only the main roads between major cities are busy. Despite the bad condition of the roads, people drive fast and recklessly but around you. There are many drivers who drive with a drink. This group increases as the evening progresses. Motorists sometimes give you little space. The hard shoulder often offers you a safe haven. In urban areas, you have to be wary of bus stops. If someone stops a minibus, it can suddenly deviate from its line. ### **Nature and animals** There are stray dogs that may bark at you to guard their territory. Never really bothered. Last updated 16 Jun 2021 by [Bas Idsinga](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/ieMGYdJeX6ZyKgKeeGhMXPFZkax2) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/safety) ## **Transport ** ### **Train** Hans: "In the long-distance trains there is an informal smoking area in the back of the car where I put the bicycle, often upright with a cable lock on a rod. Sometimes you have to pass a suspicious conductor first. I don't understand a word of Russian, I look friendly, turn the steering wheel a quarter turn, take the pedals off and throw the bags inside. I always succeeded." ### **Bus** You can often take your bicycle with you on the long-distance bus. You do have to pay for being overweight. City and minibuses generally do not accept bicycles. On medium distances you depend on the type of bus and the mood of the driver. Last updated 16 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/transport) ## **Food and drink ** **Cooking fuel** In kiev, gas bottles with a screw valve are for sale, at least at a fishing and outdoor sports shop in the market at the petrivka metro station. **Supermarkets** In every town there is a 'magazyn' or 'produkty' where, in addition to many bottles of alcohol, cheese, bread, sausage, macaroni, biscuits, bottles of water and soft drinks are also available, also in the evenings and at weekends. Low prices. Note the expiration date. Sometimes items, even dairy, that are more than a year past their expiration date are simply sold. Blanche : "Even in tiny villages they prepare (frozen) pasta and a salad for you. We only cooked ourselves once." **Stalls on the street** In small villages you can buy fresh products directly from the farmer. Fruit and vegetables are often offered on the side of the road. There are stalls all over the street. **Restaurants** Restaurants/cafés in villages are sometimes extensive, but sometimes they don't have much more than a drink. The offer consists of borsch (beet soup), various potato dishes, but mainly boiled or mashed potatoes, cutlets and schnitzels, and many cabbage dishes. The ukrainians love surimi (fake crab) sticks and often turn them into a tasty salad. Vegetarians: they've never heard of that... They do have mushrooms and cheese, but you have to speak ukrainian well to explain what you want. Tom: "We found out that food is not only available in a 'restoran' but also in a 'kafe'. In the larger towns, the cafe menus were very extensive. Ukrainians are real salad eaters, some menus had three pages of salads alone. By salad, however, they mean everything, including cold pasta and meat." **Drinkable water** Better not to drink tap water. Water in 1, 1½ or 2 liter bottles is available everywhere for little money. In the west, there are often wells along the road near houses. Many copies are neatly clean and have a shelter and a hatch to prevent pollution. In the carpathians you see here and there with signs indicated drinking water sources along the road. Wilbert: "In many villages in the west there are still wells along the road. I drank it without any problems. But I don't know if it is reliable. In the south and in crimea I often drank tap water. Also without any problems, but I don't know if it's reliable either." Last updated 16 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/foodDrink) ## **Other places **(1) Sorted by most likes 1. [![Water](https://cycleplanet.org/markers/Water.png)**1. Water source**Water](https://cycleplanet.org/poi/f02ff7f4-6610-4fa1-95c5-75eed547150b) ## **Other ** **Best time to cycle** Ukraine has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters. If you have problems with these extremes, spring and autumn are pleasant periods. Blanche : "We were there in the summer. It is then hot but certainly doable. The temperature often goes in waves, after a few warm days it rains and the weather cools down nicely. Especially in the evening the temperature drops pleasantly." **Spare parts** It is best to bring parts yourself, it is difficult to get them. In the big cities they have racing bikes and 28-inch tires. Please note that most Ukrainian tires have a different valve. A spare bicycle pump can be useful. They can repair a lot in garages. **Nice routes** The most beautiful cycling regions are the Crimea and the Carpathians. Crimea has so much to offer you that you can spend a few visits. Central Ukraine is also beautiful with its vast fields of wheat and sunflowers. Tom: "If you like wide panoramas, Western Ukraine is recommended. At least if you are not cycling on a road with a 10-meter-wide strip of forest on both sides." John: "The main roads in Crimea are quite busy. Take the secondary roads; they are much more beautiful in terms of nature, villages and an oasis of peace; they can be quite steep." Last updated 16 Jun 2021 by [Wereldfietser.nl / Vakantiefietser.be](https://cycleplanet.org/cyclists/01dRgHcnFiTSprDGCEB4Jxq7iDH3) [Edit](https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine/edit/other) ```json {"@context":"https://schema.org","@graph":[{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website","@type":"WebSite","description":"Cycle Planet is the bicycle touring platform: visas, border crossings, places to sleep and points of interest per country, and a community of cyclists who host each other.","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","publisher":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine#webpage","@type":"WebPage","description":"Cycling Ukraine: visa, border crossings, safety, transport, places to sleep and points of interest, from cyclists who were there.","name":"Bicycle touring in Ukraine","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine#/schema/breadcrumb-list/#breadcrumb"},"isPartOf":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#website"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine"]}],"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo"}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#identity","@type":"Organization","email":"info@cycleplanet.org","name":"Cycle Planet","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/","logo":{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo"},"sameAs":["https://www.instagram.com/cycle.planet","https://m.facebook.com/Cycle-Planet-100672311813208"]},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine#/schema/tourist-destination/1","@type":"TouristDestination","name":"Ukraine","touristType":"Bicycle tourers","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"UA"},"geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":48.379433,"longitude":31.16558}},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine#/schema/breadcrumb-list/#breadcrumb","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Home","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Countries","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","name":"Ukraine","item":"https://cycleplanet.org/countries/ukraine","position":3}]},{"@id":"https://cycleplanet.org/#logo","@type":"ImageObject","caption":"Cycle Planet","contentUrl":"https://cycleplanet.org/logo.png","inLanguage":"en","url":"https://cycleplanet.org/logo.png"}]} ``` ## Sitemap See the full [sitemap](https://cycleplanet.org/sitemap.md) for all pages.