Kiev - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes!! - May 2021
Yes, absolutely. I worked on the local economy, and used public transport every day. I , but that could happen in any big city, just beware of your surroundings and don't stick your iPhone in your coat pocket in a tram:) - Jun 2018
Kyiv has an extensive public transportation network that is clean, safe, and absurdly cheap (less than 20 cents for anything). The trams are a bit slow, but generally everything runs frequently and you can figure out how to get anywhere on it. Taxis are also safe and inexpensive, and Uber is here now. An Uber from my apartment to the Embassy (a 15 or 20-minute drive) costs about $2. - May 2017
Yes. We didn't have a car and took taxis multiple times a day. Each ride was only a few dollars. The most popular taxi services offer low prices but cars in poor condition without seat belts. We paid more to use a higher-end service, mainly for the seat belts. Short rides were still only $2-3, and from the Embassy to home was $4-5.
I also used metro and buses a fair amount. They are super affordable (a metro ride costs only about $0.15). They work well, though the station density on the metro is not that great, meaning it can be a significant walk to or from the station. The U.S. Embassy is a solid 15-20-minute walk from the metro (people who claim it's a 10-min walk are lying or walk at superhuman speeds). - Nov 2016
Yes. We took taxis constantly - sometimes drivers are a bit crazy compared to the U.S. but not as bad as in some countries. Using the most expensive cab service (the only one that regularly had seat belts in the backseat), you would still rarely pay more than $4 for a trip. Metro, buses, and trams are safe and very affordable, but be watchful against pickpockets. - Jul 2016
Don't know about buses, but metro and taxis are safe and affordable. Metro is about 20 cents a ride. - Nov 2015
Taxis are everywhere but I OFTEN have a hard time getting one to come out to my house in the suburbs. The people who lived in our house before said that a second car was going to be a necessity and now I see their point. However, I hate to drive here, so I stick to walking and taking taxis when I can get them. If you live in town the metro is safe and affordable and everyone takes it to work at the Embassy. If you live in a stand alone house by the Embassy, your commute will be no more than ten minutes. I often walk or jog home. - Jun 2015
Local buses. trams and subway trains are safe and affordable. There is a bus loop that runs in the center of town that is great for getting around weekdays and weekends. - Apr 2014
Yes. Metro buses and taxis are very safe and affordable. Metros & buses charge 25 cents to get you anywhere in the city. Taxis run about $5.00 to get anywhere in the city. You just have to watch out for pickpocketing. - Apr 2013
All are relatively safe. Buses, trains, and the metro are cheap. Taxis can be expensive. - Apr 2013
Safe except for pickpockets. Metro subway is clean, fast, and cheap (one piece of Ukraine that's actually done right). - Feb 2013
Safe and affordable. You can use the subway, trams, marshrutkas (mini-buses), or buses quite safely and extremely cheaply (between $.25 and $.50 a ride). Taxis are also plentiful and very cheap, $3-5 basically anywhere in the city. You can get to the airport for $15-$20, but if you don't arrange for a taxi to pick you up ahead of time, taking one from the airport is more expensive. - Jul 2012
Public transportation is good. Lots of buses and a good metro system that is dirt cheap. Taxi's are very affordable and seem safe. - Aug 2009
Yes, except after dark on the trains and buses. Very affordable. - Apr 2008
Yes, and yes. The caveat being this is a big city and all the usual precautions apply but we use public transportation all the time and have never had an incident. - Apr 2008
The bus and metro system is pretty extensive, dirt cheap (US$.10 a trip), and easy to use. Most of the equipment is old, but I don't think any more dangerous than driving yourself or walking. You can also hail a taxi or any other car going down the street and negotiate a price. Don't be surprised if a taxi refuses to take you, they're very selective at times. - Feb 2008
