All about Lviv
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CLIMATE
Climate here is moderate continental.
January –4 C (26.6 F)
June +18 C (64.9 F)
Annual rainfall: 26 inches with an average of 66 cloudy days per year.
SAFETY
Water: You are advised to boil tap water before drinking it, as it may contain bacteria. Bottled water is available at stores.
Electricity: The standard electric voltage is 220 AC. You are recommended to bring a plug converter and, because of frequent power surges, a surge protector is useful.
Radiation: Radiation level in L'viv and most of Ukraine are considered to be entirely safe by the Ukrainian government.
Personal Safety: Use common sense. Beware of exchanging money with individuals in the street and don't flash your money around.
MONEY
Ukraine's national currency is Hryvnia (UAH), which currently is equal to about EUR 0.20. You can exchange foreign currency for Hryvnias at many exchange points located throughout the city but banks may offer a better rate. Be forewarned that changing money in the street or with individuals may be dangerous. The most readily accepted foreign currencies are US Dollars and German Marks.
If someone's needs in Ukraine are less than $2000 or so, then we suggest:
- Cash: bring a few hundred dollars (whatever people feel comfortable with) for needs in transit and immediately upon arrival.
- one credit card: hotels/restaurants will accept credit cards. For safety sake, just take one Visa/Master card so that in case of an accident you don't need to cancel lots of cards.
- ATM card: there are plenty of ATMs in Ukraine and at the rate of $300/day, you could meet any incidental needs.
Traveler's checks are NOT useful. The ATM has replaced that.
POST OFFICE
Several Post offices are located all around the city. The Main Post Office is at 1, Slovatsky St.
TELEPHONES
Public telephones operate only for calls within the city. They work with the aid of a phone card, which is available for purchase at every post office and most newspaper kiosks.
Long distance phone services are operated by Utel (Ukrainian Telecommunications). To make an international call from Ukraine, first dial 8. On hearing a second dial tone, proceed with 10, then the country code, area code and phone number. For those calling from abroad, Ukraine's country code is 380, and L'viv's city code is 322. For inter-city calls inside Ukraine, simply dial 8, wait for a second dial tone, then proceed with the city code and number.
You can also bring along your GSM mobile phone, buy a local hip and receive your usual standard of connection immediately.
TRANSPORT
Public transport in L'viv consists of trolley buses, trams and buses and is often crowded. Tickets are sold in the vehicle during your ride (UAH 0.50 for trolley buses and trams: – UAH 1 for the little mini-buses called “marshrutka”, UAH 0.80 – for all other public buses).
Taxi
For you comfort transportation around the city the best tronsport is taxi. Radio-taxi you may order under the phone numbers: 399-222, 39-34-34, 39-33-33, 083, 084, 086, 749-749, 754-754, 95-33-33, 96-66-66
BANKS AND CURRENCY EXCHANGE POINTS
The national currency of Ukraine is Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH), where one Hryvnia is equal to 100 kopecks. Denominations come in 1, 2, 5, 25 and 50 Kopecks and 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Hryvnia.
Many places accept credit cards in L'viv .
CASH MACHINE LOCATIONS
Main Post Office
1 Slovatskoho st.
Open (M-F 8-8, Sat 8-6, Sun 8-2)
Tel. 065; 97 14 20
Located on the first floor behind the main staircase
Privatbank
19 Hutsulska St.
Tel. 76 38 33
LVIV BANK
1, Serbska Str.
tel. 724 717, 720 691
Roksolana
5 Mitskevycha St.
(0322) 72-45-34
Vienna Coffehouse
12 Svobody Prospect
Prominvestbank
15 Svobody Prospect
McDonads
Shevchenko Ave.
Traveller's checks can be cashed at some hotels and some banks In the area. At present, the best locations to change traveller checks are the L'VIV MAIN POST OFFICE and OSHCHADNYY BANK OF UKRAINE (addresses listed below). If you wish, you may open your own hard currency account. To do this you will need a long-term visa, or registration in Ukraine and around $50.00 (for the bank service payment).
BANKS
NATIONAL BANK OF UKRAINE, L'VIV BRANCH
4, Kopernik St., L'viv, 290000, Ukraine, Tel. 741-229
OSHCHADNYY BANK OF UKRAINE (second floor)
(Cash traveller checks and accepts credit cards, English speakers)
9, Sichovykh Striltsiv St., L'viv, 290000, Ukraine, 2nd floor Tel. 727-943
"ELEKTRON BANK" (Joint Stock Company)
11, Hrabovsky St., L'viv, 290000, Ukraine, Tel. 723-779
LVIV BANK
1, Serbska Str. 79008 L'viv Ukraine tel. 724 717, 720 691
AVAL BANK
1, Slovatskoho St. Te. 97-12-49
BROKBUSINESS BANK
1, Saksahanskoho St. Tel. 72-75-41
PRIVATBANK
21, Hutsulska St. Tel. 76-49-22
OPERATING HOURS
Businesses and public offices normally work eight hours a day, Monday through Friday, closing for lunch between 1:00 and 2:00 p.m. Most banks are open to the public from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
ALCOHOL
You will find that alcohol is easily accessible in Ukraine. Kiosks have a variety of beers and the cost is around 50 cents. Numerous brands of Vodka are also available for cost as low as $2.00. Wine can also be found at this price. Please take a taxi if you have been drinking, as the fines are substantial for drink-driving and you will never forget the hassle of trying to get your driver's license back!
LANGUAGE
Ukrainian is the official state language of Ukraine and uses the Cyrillic alphabet. However, much English is spoken here now, therefore there will be no problem for you in getting around the city.
TIPS
A 5-10% service charge is usually added to restaurant bills, but you may still add your own tip when the service is special.
CRIME
We recommend that you take the usual precautions that any traveler takes: keep an eye on your belongings, and don't flash around with your valuables and cash. Some hotels and banks have safety deposit boxes.
PUBLIC RESTROOMS
Beware, you will find very few of them in the city centre. Some are private and clean (50 kopeck service fee). But we recommend visiting the toilets in cafes, restaurants and hotels.
STREET NAMES
Many of L'viv streets have been renamed in the last few years; this can lead to confusion for locals and travellers alike. Street signs, when they exist, tend to be in the cyrillic alphabet and are located on the corners of buildings; most streets have the names of historic figures. Do not hesitate to ask for directions. As a rule, L'vivians are very friendly to foreigners and will readily provide all directions.
HOLIDAYS
New Year's Day – Jan 1
Orthodox Christmas – Jan 7
International Woman's Day – Mar 8
Easter – according to church (julian) calendar
Victory Day – May 9
Constution Day – June 28
Independence Day – Aug 24
Catholic Christmas – Dec 25
See also:
