Changes

Generally, hitchhiking is quite okay in '''Ukraine''', is one of the biggest countries in [[Europe]]. Hitchhiking works here, although areas it seems to have become more difficult since the war with Russia began in 2014. Areas like the Krim Crimean peninsula (which you can now only access via Russia as a foreigner) can be quite demanding uncomfortable to hitch during the hot summerdue to the heat. You can hitchhike anywhere along the roadside, even on real motorway like the [[Kyiv]]-[[Odessa]] road. The first two letters of the Ukrainian number plates indicate the region which can be helpful for finding a ride in the right direction.

The biggest problem you could meet is that the majority of the people don't speak English or other foreign language. Though, if your Ukrainian is good enough, and you feel like it[[File: just go for it! Most of people speak Russian tooUkrainian_number_plates. Besides, if you speak any of Slavic languages, jpg|thumb|right|300px|A map showing the connection will be much easier, they are quite similar. Especially Ukrainians understand Polish – it is the closest of Slavic languages excepting Belorussian and Russian.Generally Ukrainians are hospitable and open persons when you have no language barrier. They like to help foreigners besides.regional Ukrainian number plates]]

If The biggest problem you want to get a glimpse on how hitchhiking in Ukraine might feel like, check out [https://wwwcould encounter is that few people speak English or other foreign languages.youtubeSome command of Russian (the Communist-era lingua franca and many Ukrainians' native language) or Ukrainian is advisable.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IE-WQ3rvmW4 this video]Polish is also widely understood.== General tips ==- When hitchhiking in Ukraine do not be surprised if you are occasionally asked for money from drivers. It the language barrier is not oftenovercome, however, but it occurs. Of course you can always tell the drivers that you don't have money Ukrainians are generally hospitable and that you are hitchhiking. It could be easier for you to put some phrases to your conversations in a car which could let drivers know that you are hitchhikeropen people.

- Truck-When hitchhiking in Ukraine, it is often expected to share the fuel costs. Before you get in the car make sure that driver will take you for free. It is useful to learn some phrases to let the driver know you are an international hitchhiker and travelling for free. However, like other European countries, truck drivers always recognize hitchhikers – in that case Ukraine is not an exceptionand know they are travelling for free.

- The state of the roads are is pretty dire in general, and the biggest problem is that the distances involved are usually pretty big (for example [[Lviv]] to [[Kyiv]] is around 550 km). It is allowed to hitchhike everywhere on the roadside, you just need to find the most lucky place. - Ukrainian style 8 hours of hitching is not thumbing up but waving your hand towards the roaddriving). Hardly anyone uses a sign. Then again, it makes you stand out as a foreigner. - The trip from Kiev to Odessa or vice versa can be done in one day, given that you Getting an early start early. There is one relatively big road between the two cities, on which you can hitchhike at basically any point - there are even pedestrian crossings on this 'highway', so traffic is going by pretty slowlyessential.

 Of course you can get stuck easily on the motorway next to a turn-off from the main road because of nightfall. But there is also nice night-traffic of trucks caused by warm weather from May to September. Usually, there are some gas stations near to such places and there some favorite and famous places for stops known by drivers – something like unofficial rest-stations (there are no official but a lot of unofficial ones). You can easily find something to eat and to drink there and at almost all gas-stations there are night-24 hour shops. You can eat in some restaurants on the road-restaurants, they may be not expensive for foreigners from countries like which are significantly cheaper than in the EU states – you can probably have some - a nice dinner there meal for around $7-10 (2008)5, or a baguette and cheese for much less.

 Crimes related to hitch-hiking are not common in Ukraine. But a hitchhiker should avoid cars with drunken drivers or passengers. When you are a single girl it's better to find truck or a car with family for your safety. Avoid night-rides with “funny” drivers.It is also necessary to keep Keep your money (carry a bank card instead of a lot of cash) and phone in a safe place or on credit cards, the same for mobile phones – shit happens everywhere in the world.

 * [[Belarus]]** [[Skytok-Novaja Huta border crossing|Skytok-Novaja Huta]]* [[Hungary]]** [[Chop-Záhony border crossing|Chop-Záhony]] with * [[HungaryPoland]]** [[Dorohusk-Jahodin border crossing|Dorohusk-Jahodin]] with ** [[PolandDołhobyczów-Uhryniv border crossing]]** [[Hrebenne-Rava Ruska border crossing|Hrebenne-Rava Ruska]] with Poland** [[ShegyniKorczowa-Medyka Krakovets border crossing|Korczowa-Krakovets]] with Poland ** [[SiretShegyni-Porubnoe Medyka border crossing|Shegyni-Medyka]] with * [[Romania]]** [[Dyakove-Halmeu border crossing|Dyakove-Halmeu]]** [[Sighetu Marmației-Solotvyno border crossing|Sighetu Marmației-Solotvyno]]** [[Siret-Porubnoe border crossing|Siret-Porubnoe]] with * [[Slovakia]]** [[RomaniaVyšné Nemecké-Uzhhorod border crossing]]** [[SkytokUbľa-Novaya Guta Malyi Bereznyi border crossing]] with ** [[BelarusVelké Slemence-Mali Selmenci border crossing]](pedestrian crossing, EU/EEA & Ukrainian passports only)

* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IE-WQ3rvmW4 Short video summary of the Ukrainian World Championship qualifiers in 2012]giving an idea of the roads travellers will encounter there.* [http://www.eway.in.ua/ua/ Public transport in Ukraine] == Personal Experiences == Pls add info == Nomadwiki & Trashwiki == {{nomadwiki}}