Kiev’s Boryspil State International Airport, which handles the majority of international flights, is located about 30 kilometres from the capital. Smaller Khulyany Airport services domestic flights and a few connections from Russia and Eastern Europe. Ukraine International Airlines and Aerosviot are the two main carriers operating out of Kiev with regular flights to most major European cities and a few other global capitals.

Boryspil Airport has a fine assortment of travel facilities such as currency exchange kiosks, banks, and ATMS to handle money matters. Restaurants, bars, shops and duty-free are also available at the terminal. From Boryspil Airport, you can take an Atass shuttle bus, which runs frequently from the airport to the centre of Kiev. There are also plenty of taxis waiting outside Terminal B. Car hire firm such as Hertz and a few local agencies rent cars from the Arrivals area if you prefer to drive yourself.

There are several overland ways to reach Kiev, including passenger boats along the Dnipro River that sail between May and October. Travellers can also arrive by train or coach from destinations across Europe. Kiev has seven bus terminals, but the majority of buses operate from the Central Bus Station. Kiev’s train station can get you virtually anywhere in Ukraine and beyond, though rail travel (while scenic and interesting) is rather slow. Kiev’s train station recently had some welcome upgrading, and is located directly in front of the Vokzalna metro station.

Kiev’s public transport network is efficient, expansive and relatively easy to use. It incorporates its Metro, trams, trolleys and buses all under a single fare system. The Metro is by far the best way to travel around Kiev, even though it doesn’t cover the whole city. Buses tend to get crowded and behind schedule, so private minibuses called marshrutkas pick up the slack and follow their own routes.

Official taxis, which look new and clean, are preferable to the ‘gypsy’ taxis that prowl the city. Official taxis are metered and can be hailed on the street or phoned for a pick up. Renting a car isn’t the best choice in Kiev as parking is a nightmare, and much of the city is better seen on foot. The funicular linking upper and lower Kiev is a great experience as well.

If you arrive during the first week of the month you can buy a monthly pass covering all public transportation.