Riding the Metro (Subway) in Ukraine

Kiev's Zoloti Vorota metro station is one of the fanciest

Three cities in Ukraine boast an underground subway system — Kiev, Kharkov, and Dnepropetrovsk — usually referred to as the "metro." The Kiev metro is most extensive, with three lines and over 40 stops. Kharkov also has three lines, and Dnepropetrovsk just one.

These subway systems are not nearly as dense as in western metropolises, but additional subway stops and new lines are slowly being built. The metro is a fast and convenient way to get around town, though it is usually cram-packed during rush hour.

Trains run from approximately 5:30 a.m. to about 12:30 a.m, with just two minutes between trains at peak hours.

Metro sign

Metro stops are marked by "M" signs (see right). Most stations are under ground.

Metro fare in Ukraine

Metro tokens currently cost just 50 copecks, or 10 U.S. cents (!). Fare does not depend on the distance traveled or on transfers between lines.

Tokens are bought inside each metro station from a lady at the window. Stations also have token dispensers on the wall, but they only accept old 1 and 2 Hryvnia bills and are quickly becoming useless as these bills go out of circulation.

You can also buy one-month and half-month passes at the same windows. If you ride the metro twice each working day, it will make more sense to buy a pass; otherwise, buying separate tokens will be cheaper.

Metro signs

All metro signs are in Ukrainian (or Russian, in Kharkov and Dnepropetrovsk). English metro maps are available on English language city maps that you can buy around town. If you don't speak Russian or Ukrainian, you will have to carefully count stops or learn to read the Cyrillic alphabet.