Ukraine and Romania
 

I am travelling via Denmark, Germany and Poland to Ukraine and Romania later this year. Can anyone give me advice on currency exchange please in Ukraine and Romania? I.e. is it better to exchange to local currencies when there using Euros or Stirling, or is it better to change money in the UK before leaving? I don't intend to spend times in towns or cities and I assume that credit/debit cards will not be widely accepted in rural areas. Thanks, Gill

You'll find stacks of ATM's in Romania accepting your bank card, even in small towns. Don't know about Ukraine though. Credit cards are also accepted in the cities, but in rural areas this might be a problem. At fuel stations the pin for the credit card is expected. Since it is quite safe to travel in RO, I stuck to ATM's & cash.

Hans

Money
 

Hi,
in the rural area is better to have cash, but in the city the cards are OK.
For exchange use the Bank and exchange office (only in the city).
Is higly recommanded to have the local currencies (RON).
Mihai

I had no problem getting money from ATMs in Romania
I did stay in one small town the only ATM was in a hotel and not working I did not want to ride into town so tried to change money at the posh hotel.They were not sure about changing my £s but changed $50 for me no problem. I usually have a few euros £s not £50s and $s for emergancy use but allways use ATMs if possible.
I may go back to Romania this year and would like to go via Ukarine do you need a visa for Ukarine if so was it difficult to get.

It is better to have our currency in your pocket when travelling in Romania, especially in rural areas. Atm`s are avalaible in lots of places.
* You may find some exchange points exactly at the border crossing point but never use them to change money - only if you badly need, as their rate is not very advantageous. Wait to reach the first city and change there at a bank or exchange bureau (better).
* Be very careful at the comission these places use. In 95% of the cases you will see written outside "0 % comission", but there are some who use other comission or have different rates if you change betwwen 1-10.000 euros and other if you change between 10.0000 -...+.

Ukraine and Romania
 

Thank you all for your advice. I think it will be a mixture of cash and falling back on the ATMs as a last resort. I am cautious in the UK about holes in the wall, never mind abroad, tho' the first time I ever used one was on the Faroes and it worked!! Bolla, from seeking advice on the Hubb and reading/asking around I am lead to believe that visas are not needed for the Ukraine. However, I am starting to ask around re: recovery/ mechanical assistance.... if you have any info on cover available in Ukraine I would be grateful to know. It would be sod's law for my 10 year old Monster to have its first breakdown in a country without Recovery. Cheers, Gill

Some Ukraine info
 

Hi,

i've been travelling to Ukraine for my job on several occasions (Mukachevo, transcarpathia region). Since a couple of years i don't need a visa anymore to get into the country (i'm from Belgium but suppose this will be the same for other Europeans).
I can confirm that these days you find quite a few ATM machines in Ukraine (only in cities of course), so getting cash shouldn't be a problem.
Be carefull when driving around, lots of potholes in the road, poor police guys waiting to earn some money, and people walking on the streets in the dark without any sort of light on them.
It's an intriguing country, i hope you'll enjoy it.

Koen

Unfortunately there is not much you can do in case of breakdown. Especially if you far away from big cities, but even if you are in one and would need some Ducati special spare part, you are in trouble, since there is very few of them around and nobody have any parts in stock. One more tip, be careful when choosing gas stations. If you see something small with relatively small prices, you better not even to try filling your tank there.
Best way to exchange currency is to buy hryvna (our local currency) for euro, somewhere away from border(but it's good idea to exchange about 20-30 euro right there). Our exchange rates are better than in EU so it is better to bring euros. Exchange Stirling could be a tricky task, so better not to relay on them. Euros could be converted almost anywhere.

Thanks for this info Alexrider....... much appreciated. I look forward to visiting your country and it will all be a great experience I am sure. Thanks again, Gill.:mchappy:

Nice to see Romanian and Ukrainian HUBBers replying to Gill, and us all. I learned some thing too, for I thought you needed one of those annoying Russian style visas for Ukraine. That makes things so much easier for a future visit there.

PS. Gill, it's Sterling, not Stirling.

Hi Gill.

Not sure if you have started your trip yet? Just be careful in the larger cities in Romania when using your ATM card as there have been several reported scams recently. When I opened my bank account in Romania I had a full briefing on the subject by my bank manager. It seems to be less of a problem in small towns.

Also there is this following advice on the British Foreign and Commonwealth website

"You should be aware that there are reports of credit or charge cards being 'copied' when used in some bars and restaurants, resulting in illegal charges being raised against the user account."

Not sure if you are passing my way in Ojdula near to the Vrancea mountains? If you are drop in for a cup of tea! We are always pleased to see fellow travellers. My mobile telephone number is 0040 730 906 867 if you need any help or advice.

Cheers, Paul

Depends how rural you are going but you will never be too far from an ATM in Ukraine.Common sense still reigns when it comes to carrying too much cash as a tourist.
If you're worried about bike letting you down,you could always pay a kind local with a pick up to take you to somewhere to get it fixed or even to the Polish,Slovakian or Hungarian border so you could wheel it over the border where the likes of the AA European cover will come out to you.
Enjoy
Simon

Ukraine and Romania
 

Thank you all for your helpful comments. I should have specified when I was going. I have been and am safely home, with a wealth of memories, experiences and the privilege of visiting such an area on the cusp of change. Took all cash in various currencies, well hidden,US dollars good in Ukraine. Yes, roads ( and driving )quite poor. Roads esp. poor in Ukranian Carpathians. However, had I been on a better bike for the conditions ( my Ducati Monster will never forgive) and had more confidence and skill off-piste, so to speak, then it would have been great. Lots of roadworks in Romania.... all upgrading. Yes the starving Ukranian policeman did pull me over to demand US Dollars 50. I was strict and refused and "escaped" with no further trouble. Goodness did I enjoy the whole adventure, with useful info to pass on if anyone wants any. Thanks again. Gill:funmeteryes: