Crossing a border for the 1st time (Poland/Ukraine)
 

Well, we all have to lose our virginity sooner or later don't we?

Apart from one very bizarre border crossing a few years ago (Don't ask), I've never actually had to cross a border before. Sure, there are the little offices at the Euro tunnel or ferry, but that's the extent of my experience as I've never travelled out of the EU on a bike or car before. I always fly.

I'm tempted to go to Ukraine for a bit, didn't quite make it that far last year. So after doing some googling I'm concerned with the border crossing and hope you can offer some advice.

I have read that green card insurance is a bit hit and miss, so I'll just try my luck. If they let me in, great, if not, I'll buy it from a little hut just outside apparently) and apparently I need to get a tourist visa rather than a transit one as a transit one means I need to use the same border crossing when coming home.

However what is the actual procedure for crossing the border? I have visions of queues miles long, spending hours in them and all that malarkey. However I've also heard that bikes sometimes just push up to the front, is there any sort of method/etiquette etc?

Yes, I know I'm over thinking all this and it'll all be straight forward at the time, but since I'll be on my own again I get a little anxious with silly things like this.

Thanks.

Bring your green paper (int insurance) and the rest of the paper for the bike, passport and driving licence and off you go. I allways try to get in front of a long Q at any border, but do it with grace :thumbup1:

Don't worry about this border too much, Modman, it should be relatively easy. Just make sure your bike papers are in order, and ask for the free 90-days tourist visa (if you're European).

Our green card wasn't valid in Ukraine but we persuaded the officer that we'd buy local insurance once across the border. And that's what we did, there's indeed a hut on the parking lot of the first gas station.

Oh yeah, with a motorbike you can ride past the long queue of trucks, they won't mind...

Relax, and have fun!

Cheers chaps. Sounds easy enough. I don't have a green card, do they even issue them anymore? Anyhow I double checked my insurance and it doesn't cover Ukraine at all, so 3rd party from the hut will have to do.

Happy days! Thanks - Dan

Just remember technically you should have the V5 and paper copy of your license.

I take colour copies incase they want a copy.

When you get there just chill. Those people have a tedious job. What works for us at any border is to just relax smile, look like you have all the time in the world. Normally you can get them to have a laugh.

Choose a small crossing if you can. That has one risk thou. There may be no insurance sales if you need it.

Dan

Thanks for this. Bike is almost sorted with new tyres going on it Wednesday (Let's see if these Anakee 3's are any good)

Now, just need some nice weather :)

Well, that was painless enough, even if they are rude ignorant buggers on the Ukrainian side.

Stopped at the back of the queue of cars and got chatting to a driver of a UK reg car in front of me. He went up and asked the Ukrainian military looking bloke if I could ride to the front. He came back, escorted me through to customs and passport control where it took them 2 hours to deal with me. Rude, unhelpful, miserable etc (Except the young military lad who took me there). Despite me smiling, being nice etc.

They didn't ask or want a green card or proof of insurance. Just my passport and V5.

Coming back was much easier, only took 20 mins.

At least it's done now, next one will be a piece of cake.

I never had this on any of my border crossings so far and i crossed into Ukraine 3 times, Russia once and Georgia once on my current trip and all have been great and very helpfull.

Once on the Ukraine side after handing in the last bit of paper the guard said it is law to wheelie into the country so i did:thumbup1:

I found this office in Ukraine in Lviv. I rode through Poland and then made a bee-line for Lviv to get the insurance. It was only £20 (in 2013) for 2 weeks.
The office is
AXA Ukraine,
Lychakivska 47
79010
Lviv
+38 097 486 5585
Mr. Okesand
r.samsonov@axa-ukraine.com

They are open the usual office hours.

AXA Insurance for Ukraine
 

I'm in Lviv, Ukraine. When I crossed the border (May 21, 2015) I looked and asked for the insurance agent, but never found one. So I rode to Lviv, and found the AXA rep there.

The young woman who sold me insurance spoke excellent English, and wrote a policy for me that was very reasonable... actually very cheap!

I'm riding a 2008 KLR 650. The insurance cost me 120 UAH, which at this writing amounts to 5.21 Euro or $5.75 USD.

One more observation: Ukraine is a beautiful country. I've encountered nothing but friendly people here. I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

Smitty
Facebook.com/groups/smittygonerideabout

Thanks for the Info boys ...heading there Next week :)

Two of us are touring Poland in early Oct I like the idea of a visit to the Ukraine keep me updated anyone who goes please.