|
8 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
|
|
Poland and Ukraine - places to stay and petrol
Hi, new to this site and planning a trip to Poland and Kiev, Ukraine. Passed my bike test last year and desperate to go further than I've ever been by car. Thought a trip to Poland and Ukraine would be a good starter.
Just wondering how frequent petrol stations are in both countries, what grade of petrol they have and how to spot B&B's or guesthouses to stay in (or a guide listing them ?), not that fond of camping tbh
I don't plan using an off-road bike but buying an older tourer like a ZZR or RF900 for this trip.
Sorry for the noobie type questions but this is my first lone trip and to countries I've never been to before.
Thanks
|
8 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Walsall, UK
Posts: 251
|
|
My experience is limited to Poland but petrol stations and grades of fuel are as common as the rest of Europe, i.e. better than Wales! Hotels are a viable option as a 3 star will work out at about £15/£20 per night for a single room with breakfast.
|
8 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Beauly,Scotland
Posts: 31
|
|
Hi
I cannot comment on the Ukraine however I spent time in Krakov and Zakopane last year. I managed to find a room in Zakopane for 30zl a night which last year worked out at £6 roughly.
Breakfast was not included but it had Tv and shower etc.
Look for the room signs 'pokoje'. In some of the towns you would come across folk standing by the road holding up signs with the above on. At the above price it was not worth putting up the tent.
Time of my visit was June, I am not sure if that would have an impact as not peak season.
regards
Kev
|
8 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
When are you thinking of going ? Am travelling to Slovakia towards the end of august so you are welcome to tag along and then split when we get near the border
|
9 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by chris gale
When are you thinking of going ? Am travelling to Slovakia towards the end of august so you are welcome to tag along and then split when we get near the border
|
Thanks, that sounds good ! Would be nice to have some company on my first trip. I was planning to go in September but can bring it forward, what are your plans ?
|
9 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Caleyman
Hi
I cannot comment on the Ukraine however I spent time in Krakov and Zakopane last year. I managed to find a room in Zakopane for 30zl a night which last year worked out at £6 roughly.
Breakfast was not included but it had Tv and shower etc.
Look for the room signs 'pokoje'. In some of the towns you would come across folk standing by the road holding up signs with the above on. At the above price it was not worth putting up the tent.
Time of my visit was June, I am not sure if that would have an impact as not peak season.
regards
Kev
|
Thanks, that's useful
|
9 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Bühl, Germany
Posts: 88
|
|
There are many more petrol stations in the Ukraine than I was lead to believe, many of them beind brand new. You'll find 95 Octane everywhere (although you can also find down to 76 if you need it ), but f you bike has a cat, always ask the attendant which one is lead-free, since 95 is available both with and without lead. If in doubt and you don't speak Russian, draw the "PB" symbol with a line through it - I found everybody understood this. Paying for fuel is a little strange, you normally have to pass your money through a small slot (rather like at the bank) and if you're paying by credit card, make sure you know your PIN number!!
|
10 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 7
|
|
Chris, I can't e-mail or pm you as I'm too new to the site, can you pm me your e-mail address ?
Cheers, Steve
|
10 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Gatwick UK
Posts: 500
|
|
Hi
You can contact me on 07768 774098 - i am travelling to Slovakia on the 21st August . I can text you the crossing time ( its P+O ) if you like . I have reserved an Etap near Nurnberg for that night - its around 500 miles away so not too far . You are welcome to share if you dont mind snoring
Will be setting off early the next day to Bratislava where i guess you will head towards the E77 and into Poland
Chris
|
26 Jul 2008
|
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 2,134
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve...
Just wondering how frequent petrol stations are in both countries, what grade of petrol they have and how to spot B&B's or guesthouses to stay in...
|
Hi Steve:
I've done both countries (Poland and Ukraine) in the past with my Honda ST 1100.
There's absolutely nothing to worry about in Poland so far as getting fuel, accommodation, etc. is concerned. The country is full of lots of very new and modern brand-name gas stations, built using the same blueprints that were used in your home town in the UK. You can use your UK credit card to pay for the fuel, either at the pump or you can go inside and pay afterwords, whatever you want. If you get way out into the rural part of the country, there may be fewer fuel stations, but that's not a problem if you fill up before you leave a city.
It's easy to find places to stay in Poland - simple hotels, or B & Bs, or guest houses. Do pay attention to security for your moto. Just about every lodging facility will have a secure garage, you just have to ask. At a B & B or a guest house, you can always find a simple security solution - park in the back yard, or the farmer puts your bike in his barn then parks his tractor in front of it, etc. You don't have to live in fear, but at the same time, due diligence is needed. Your hosts will understand and appreciate this.
I didn't like Ukraine at all. You can buy gas without problems - again, fill up in the cities, because you might not find fuel easily if you get well off the beaten path. Overall, though, I thought that the roads in Ukraine were horrible (verging on hazardous to life), and I was not impressed with the quality of life (or lack thereof). My suggestion is that you visit Slovakia instead - a much nicer country.
|
26 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Posts: 1,377
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by PanEuropean
Hi Steve:
I didn't like Ukraine at all. You can buy gas without problems - again, fill up in the cities, because you might not find fuel easily if you get well off the beaten path. Overall, though, I thought that the roads in Ukraine were horrible (verging on hazardous to life), and I was not impressed with the quality of life (or lack thereof). My suggestion is that you visit Slovakia instead - a much nicer country.
|
I just got back from a trip through Russia, Ukraine, and Poland, and pretty strongly disagree with the quote above. I didn't have a chance to get on really small roads in Ukraine, but I was off the expressway and had no problem finding gas or with the roads (with one exception, described below). I was also very impressed with the towns I stayed in, although they some of the more touristy places (Yalta, Odessa, Lviv)--all of these very nice places. The road in along the coast in the Crimea is simply spectacularly beautiful. Much of Ukraine is pretty agricultural, and yeah, those parts could be pretty dull.
The roads were all fine EXCEPT at one point I took my eyes off the road while looking for the right highway (no signs of course) and ran right through several enormous, square edged potholes in the middle of the road. The bike shrugged it off but didn't like it a bit.
|
27 Jul 2008
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Belgium
Posts: 84
|
|
Being Ukrainian...yes, I do not live in Ukraine for 7 years, but all my buddies there and I visit often.
PanEuropean - I am sorry to hear you had bad experience, please accept my apologies on behalf of my country
Here is some tips
a) I can only guess you visited Ukraine in "grey years" after USSR desintegrated. That was bad time.
b) it is a big country, you need to really plan you route, getting "off beaten path" is no good for country bigger than France. I guess if you visit places like say Yellow Knife in Canada it will not be best impression too
Here is situation now.
Fuel is no problem. LOADS of fuel stations, loads of competition. Usually it is simple - better is station better is fuel.
National roads no problem, rural roads - what do you expect? Traffic of TIR trucks from Western Europe destroy those roads. Do not hesitate to ask people what road is best - for example entering Kiev from Zhitomir or Chernigyv direction is no problem, but some of roads "in" are mess. Again - TIRs to blame.
Where to stay? Usually in any village you can find place to stay if you have positive attitude towards finding it. Just start talking to people. Stay away from very friendly but drunk people - they may not be harmless, but their life and house and friends is a mess usually. Just like anywhere. Best is to find good old nice and accurate "babushka" and pay her a bit to have night in her house. Most probably she will feed you really well too. But if you go to any relatively major road you will see a LOADS of cheap and clean motels with place to stay, park and feed. And most often with security guard.
Speeding - no stationary cameras, mobile teams with radars, all "fixable" with some small fee But you have to follow their game, usually senior guy play bad cop and let you speak to lower rank, who takes money. Corruption? Yes, sad but it is true. But bikers often get off with just chat or souvenir.
Worst piece is car drivers. Bigger car = worse treat. If you spot somebody overtaking via opposite lane and no intend to notice you - just let him go, really. Those people are shame of my home country and no money will make them better. Some foreginers behave like that too - they think they have enough cash to buy off any policeman in case of accident. I know it first hand - accompanied some Europeans there
Border is simple, they were correct about Ukraine-Romania border, is no good.
Best places to visit - oh, do not get me started. Crimea - seaside (not central tourist places thou), but mountains is what you have to aim for there. Local "grand canyon", Dimerji, cave cities Mangup-cale and Chufut-cale, Vorontsov castle, Sevastopol (black sea navy city), loads. Visit Balaklava - famous place, very little. Winston Churchill stayed there once, it has nice ruins of byzante castle (visantian? vizantian? not sure what is right).
Black sea center - of course Odessa
West - Karpaty mountains, Lviv, castles, Hotin town, Kam'yanet's-Podilsky (strongly recommend).
Center - Kiev of course, 1500+ years old city, first capital of old Russia, Uman (nowadays jewish place of pilgrimage, but it has great places to visit).
East - forget it. Industrial, boring, but great bike following in Dnepropetrovsk. You can always get some contacts on website MotoTravel.info :: ÅÑËÈ ÒÛ ÍÅ Â ÄÎÐÎÃÅ, ÒÎ ÒÛ - ÍÀ ÎÁÎ×ÈÍÅ, my nickname there is same.
If you need any more info or contacts - just let me know.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|