Planning to visit Ukraine for the first time? If you wonder which payment methods are used locally, here are some insights into the options you can use.
How Ukrainians pay for goods
When you are in Ukraine, it’s possible to pay for goods and services without using cash. Many locals nearly never pay by cash nowadays, a recent poll by Segodnya revealed.
- As many as 1 in 4 Ukrainians admitted that they nearly never use cash and mostly pay by card, finding it much more convenient.
- The same share of locals (26%) prefer to stick with paper money and coins, since they are more used to doing that.
- 45% of respondents use both cash and card to pay for their purchases, depending on the situation.
- There were also over 5% of survey takers who are mostly paying by phone, using an app.
So, whatever payment method you prefer, it’s possible to use it in Ukraine.
It’s always useful to have some funds in banknotes as a tourist in a foreign country, but in general, there is no need to bring a lot of cash with you.
If you prepay your hotel and tickets from home (or possibly you get a free stay if you are visiting your Ukrainian girlfriend in her home town), then you don’t need a lot of cash to have a good time!
Enjoy your visit.
Read also:
- Gender Pay Gap in Ukraine — Women Earn 41% Less Than Men for Top Jobs
- How much money do I need to visit Ukraine?
- Going to visit your online Ukrainian girlfriend? How not to fall for a pro-dater
- Best hotels in Kiev, Ukraine
I use my Lufthansa credit card wherever I go. They don’t charge an international service fee when I’m in Russia or Ukraine. Plus I build up on mile-points. I have earned enough points for a free trip to Ukraine. Using a card makes it easier to keep track of all my purchases.
However, I don’t believe in a cashless society. Cash equals freedom and independence–it is a symbol of physical wealth and people should hold on to that.
i have been to Ukraine on a few occasions and now take enough cash and my card, due to one occasions when my card got damaged and stopped working. All i had in my pocket was £27 to last 4 days, but it’s surprising how far £27 goes in Ukraine.