Car rental in Ukraine

Renting a Car in Ukraine: A Historical Country in the Heart of Europe

Situated on the Eastern side of Europe, the large country of Ukraine is famous for its forest-surrounded mountains, Black Sea coasts, and impressive cathedrals. After Russia, Ukraine is the second-largest country in the European continent and contains the geographical center.

Kiev is the capital, and home to some idyllic beaches – similar to other tourist destinations such as Kharkhov, Lviv, Odessa, and Donetsk – that make the country a special destination. A visit to Ukraine gives you the opportunity to engage in a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, kayaking, or simply lazing at the beaches.

If you want to savor the local cuisine, try salo (a salty side-dish made from cured pork fat), deruny (potato pancakes), borscht (soup prepared with meats and beets), or varenyky (dumplings containing cabbage, cherries, cheese, and potato).

When to Go

The early parts of summer and fall are probably the best times to visit Ukraine. The long days and short nights of summer make for a pleasant vacation, but it may be best to avoid the soaring temperatures of August. The cooler days and nights of the fall season are ideal for outdoor activities, and the seasonal colors add magic to a forest trek.

For many travelers, Ukraine is unexplored territory. So, make your plans to discover its quaintly charming towns, and mingle with the friendly locals. Renting a car is the best way to explore the various facets of the country, and you can avail attractive deals on car rentals through several online companies.

Car Rental Prices in Ukraine

Vehicle hire in Ukraine may not be as cheap as in some areas, but if you shop around you will find prices between $12 and $25 per day with a seven-day booking. Some examples of vehicle hire deals are as follows:

• Seat Ibiza or similar (economy class) – $20/day
• Renault Megane or similar (compact class) – $24/day
• Hyundai I10 or similar (mini class) – $25/day
• Fiat Doblo or similar (intermediate class) – $31/day
• Skoda Octavia or similar (standard class) – $39/day

Car Rental Savings

If you’re confident driving manual transmission, this will be a cheaper option than automatic.

Car rental companies offering good bargains in Ukraine include Hertz, Avis, Sixt, Europcar, and Budget. You may get cheap deals at the local agencies, but the international companies rate higher in reliability.

Always make advance bookings via internet or phone. Even if you book 24 hours beforehand, you will get a cheaper deal. If you wait until you get to the counter to book, they will quote higher rates.

Make sure that all your car rental bookings and payments are completed prior to leaving for your vacation. It turns out to be safer, cheaper, more convenient and unlikely to have any hidden costs.

Although it’s more convenient to rent a car from the airport, you are more likely to get a bargain if you hire from the city center. Hop in a cab to take you to the location.

Ukraine: Car Hire Requirements

After you reach the car rental agency in Ukraine, there are certain documents that are required before you take the keys of your rented automobile:

1. Driving license issued by your domestic country
2. International driving license
3. Passport for ID proof
4. To pay the deposit, you need cash or a credit card

Ukraine: Tips & Regulations

The minimum age for hiring a car in Ukraine is 25 years.

Traffic in Ukraine drives on the right side of the road.

Wear seat belts and do not drive after drinking – not even one beer.

Ukrainian is the official language of the country: Russian and English are also widely spoken in several parts.

Ukraine`s official currency is the hryvnia (₴, UAH). You are not allowed to make payments in foreign currency, so make sure to exchange your money for the legal tender; the rates are usually fair.

It is better to carry some amount of cash whenever traveling.

Make certain that your car is adequately filled with fuel as fueling stations can be scarce.

Carry emergency medical kit in your car, especially if traveling to Ukraine during springtime as the roads tend to become muddy.

If you’re driving in the winter, headlights are to be switched on at all times – even during the day.

For car insurance, you have to cough up between $30-40 for a month.

The road signs are in the Ukrainian language or Cyrillic alphabet: use road maps, they are easier to understand.

Starting in 2018, the speed limit when driving within Ukrainian cities has been fixed at 30 miles per hour – this will be displayed as 50 km per hour.

Due to poor lighting, you are advised to avoid driving during nighttime, particularly on the secondary roads.

Beware of animals when driving through forest areas, as they pose a hazard for drivers.