Getting to Kharkov

Not the easiest place to get to it has to be said. But the good places are always hard to find. Hmm. You can fly, train, bus or drive from Kiev.

Only one airline flies here directly; that’s Austrian Airlines from Vienna.Actually, Tyrolean Airways.
This saves a lot of hassle from switching at Kiev and the stewardesses are always very pleasant to watch. Little plane, tall blonde stewardesses works well. But two major disadvantages; firstly the cost; Vienna to Kharkov about $600 minimum. Secondly you have to clear immigration and customs at an airport which gets only one small plane of foreigners a day to fleece. Be prepared. They’re even worse when leaving; one tiny slip on the immigration card and then it’s “into the room please, shut the door …”.

Flying has always been my preferred choice , and since the girls in the Aerosvit office in Kharkov exlained the fare structure it is also the cheapest.

Book more than 10 days in advance and a Borispol-Kharkov return is $47. Which is almost as cheap as other forms of transport. Advice is to phone the Aerosvit office (I’ll get details soon) and book the ticket over the phone saying you’ll pick it up at the Aerosvit desk at Borispol. They all speak english I’ve found, albeit in the normal grouchy manner. Book between 5 and 10 days before hand the price increments to about $100 return, and book less than 5 days it’s $100 each way. This final option lets you buy at Kiev airport though if you think you may miss the flight. I once bought my ticket 20 minutes before departure; so don’t worry too much about short changeovers.