Kharkiv
From Wikitravel
Kharkiv (Ukrainian: Харків - "Kharkiv", Russian: Харьков - "Kharkov") is a major city in Kharkiv region of Ukraine and is the second largest city in Ukraine with a population over 1,5 million inhabitants. The city is located in the northeast of the country.
[edit] Get in
[edit] By plane
Kharkiv International Airport [1] (IATA: HRK, ICAO: UKHH), located 12,5 kilometres south-east of city center.
[edit] By train
Kharkiv's central railway station, Kharkiv-Passazhyrskyi, is located close to city centre. The metro station "Pivdenny Vokzal" (метро "Пiвденний вокзал") links to the railway station.
It has daily trains to all major cities and towns in Ukraine.
Railway timetable in English [2]
[edit] Get around
Kharkov can seem very foreign for western travelers, mostly because of Cyrillic letters. It would be very useful to learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet before coming to Ukraine. Most Kharkovians speak Russian, as Kharkov is situated only 40 kilometres from the Russian border. Though there will be a big possibility that the locals will not understand the Russian which comes from the travelers’ phrasebook. But it is worth trying to practice as there are only a few people who speak and understand English, mostly young Ukrainians.
By Metro
The Metro is the fastest and easiest way of getting around. Every day it carries nearly 1 million people; it is the most convenient public transport in Kharkov. There are three metro lines (red, blue and green). To enter the Metro you need to buy a token from the cash desk, Kassa (Ukrainian: Каса). One token is valid for one trip, no matter how far you go and how long it takes. A token costs 1,50 UAH (it is about 15 eurocents/ 20 cents). You need to put the token into the turnstile to enter and pass it. But make sure that you walk through the correct side of the turnstile otherwise there is the possibility that you will be hit by the metal gate! Once you enter the platform you will notice that there are usually two directions the train goes.
[edit][add listing] See
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Budget
Puzata Khata – Sumskaya 2. It is very popular with locals for low prices and quick service. The food here is usually great and cheap, mostly traditional Ukrainian dishes. Being a huge place it is always quite busy. You will be completely full for $6 per person there.
Adriano – not bad pizza chain, the cozy atmosphere is guaranteed at Petrovskogo st., 35-А, but there are 2 more cafes on prospekt Traktorostroiteley, 59/56 and on Pushkinskaya st., 79/1.
Paris- Petrovskogo st., 30/32. A great place for people who like desserts, to go on a date or just want to relax in a cozy atmosphere to enjoy fondue. It is amazingly popular; sometimes it is not easy to find a seat there. They have just opened their own theatre where French films or performances takes place every evening. It is strongly recommended to visit this piece of France in Kharkov!
Coffee life – Pushkinskaya 43. Named as the first Starbucks in Kharkov :), this place is open from 8 o’clock in the morning what is quite unusual in Ukraine and offers free wi-fi internet. It is extremely popular with Kharkov expats, a nice place to visit, have a drink and browse the internet!
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[edit][add listing] Sleep
There are plenty of hotels in Kharkov, but the quality of them is very often far from what western citizens expect. Most of hotels are not in the online reservation systems which makes difficult to find them. The best hotels in Kharkov are the Aurora, Chichikov and Viktoria hotels.
The Aurora hotel 4* is situated in the center of the city and offers 28 modern rooms, free Wi-Fi and a nice-looking restaurant. The transportation options are metro or car.
Very similar to the Aurora is the Chichikov hotel 4* which is just a year older and located also in the center of Kharkov. The rooms correspond to western standards though they are quite small.
The Kharkov Hotel 3* is located in downtown right by the University (Университет) metro station. The hotel is quite old so it is best to be sure that you will get a nice room. Prices of the rooms are too high for the look and service you get.
The Viktoria Hotel 4* is located 10 minutes drive from downtown and offers nicely done, modern, well-equipped hotel rooms, free Wi-Fi and a spa-center. Travel options are tram and car. Other Kharkov hotels can be found on HotelsInKharkov.com. This site also offers help to book accommodation, which is very useful if you are in Kharkov for the first time.
[edit] Contact
[edit] Get out
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