Trolleybuses, Trams & Buses

 There are 3 main types of Bus Travel in Ukraine: By Trolleybus or Bus or Tram

Trolleybuses and Trams:  Both forms of transport hark back to the mid 20th century era in the United Kingdom for example. However, both forms of transport are very much making a comeback worldwide. Certainly the tram is making a big comeback, least not in the U.K.

Trolleybuses for those who have never travelled on one is an experience! Especially in the Ukraine. Generally they are very full, and you could be face to face with a top miltary official or a peasant farmer, it’s that varied.

For both trams and trolleybuses you have to wait at designated stops. You can get in either door but will have to pay the driver or the conductor. Bigger cities like Kyiv there tends to be just the driver. It will be very cheap. Generally 20 pence (Sterling), maybe half a dollar (U.S Currency)

The trams and trolleybuses follow fixed routes as the tram obviously has to follow the tramlines and a trolleybus has a swinging arm overhead which gains it’s power from overhead cables. Trolleybuses in particular are seen all over Ukraine, but like buses there never seems to be one when you want one!

For westerners travelling in Kyiv & Ukraine, they are an essential part of the experience, although once tried a few times, if you are in a rush, cabs are so cheap to travel in (often only $1-2 for a fair journey) that these are a very popular choice.

Always best to pay on entering the tram or trolleybus, then it’s done. Often the driver will take payment or you will see a conductor in a bright coloured tabard.

You can normally pay in advance at the booths at the stops but then generally you will need some Russian or Ukrainian to hand. We have a page on some useful phrases on our site to help with this.

Buses:

There are 2 main type of Bus in Ukraine. The first are the state owned buses that follow a strict schedule and stop at allocated stops .

These are often yellow, so easy to spot. Again the fare is usually peanuts and fun to travel on. Hold on though! if standing up, the drivers are quite fast.

Minibuses:

The minibuses tend to be private companies. You see them lined up usually in the centre of cities, obviously in huge cities like Kyiv thay are spread all over. The fare is often very reasonable. The private minibuses excel really in airport runs and particular destinations.

They are easy to spot and normally all in white.

Again, one of the beauties of Ukraine, you could be standing next to a top official or a sweet peasant lady and her large jars of pickles! Such is the charm of this wonderful country and city of Kyiv.

Most buses run from about 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., but certain buses may run later depending on the demand for a certain route (e.g. to the train station).