Money - ATM withdrawal, exchange & credit cards in Sevastopol

Its a question we get often from prospective travelers - should I carry all the cash i need for the trip or can I use my ATM or credit card?

Sure! But, really - I haven't found a reason to promote one of these over the other. So here is some things to consider.

Sevastopol is a relatively safe city with very little street crime, pickpockets or petty theft. Carrying money on your person should be safe within reason.

It seams like most hotels have credit card symbols on their doors and in my experience Visa and Master Card are generally accepted. A few of the new supermarkets accept these as well. Some apartment rentals will take pre-payment thru PayPal or something similar. However, for your day to day needs you will need Ukrainian Grivnas.

Don't forget to alert your bank before you leave home that you will be in Ukraine (and any other country you will visit on your trip) so that they don't shut your card down the first time you try to use it in a foreign destination due to theoretical fraud. Usually calling the toll free # on the back of your debit/credit card can get you on the right track. Also check to see what kind of fees your bank will charge you each time you use your debit card - often its a set fee (such as $3 for my Chase debit card) per withdrawal plus 2% of whatever you withdrew - double whammy, yes - but just factor that into your travel costs.

US Dollars are accepted at hotels and apartment rental agencies - I'm sure they will accept Euros and GB Pounds as well (though I have only had reason to use Dollars). These entities often post prices in the currencies they accept, so check on that when book reservations to make the necessary plan.

Some excursions and many souvenir vendors will take foreign currency as well. However, the exchange rate suddenly leaves your control, not to say you will get fleeced, but you may do a little better by exchanging your your own money at a money changer as there is no discount for using USD, Euros or GBP.

There are two ways to get Ukrainian Grivna (sometimes said or written Hrivna or UAH) - one option is to exchange your currency at a currency exchange (more about that in a moment) the other is to withdraw Grivna directly from an ATM with your debit card.

By using your debit card at one of the zillion ATMs around town (called "bankomat" in Russian) you can get a better exchange rate and avoid carrying large amounts of cash on your person throughout the trip. I have had good success with my American debit Master Card with nearly all the various banks' ATMs. The only one I can say to avoid is "Alpha Bank" - their machine just doesnt accept the card, not sure why.

Followed a tip today from a new American friend who told me there was no limit on withdrawals at the ATM to the right hand side of the front doors of the Sevastopol Hotel - the tip was legit! So if you need to withdraw more than 1500 Grivna at once (the usual ATM limit here) - that is the place to do it.

Ukrainian ATMs look like ATMs anywhere and can be found on nearly every corner, inside & outside bank branches and near the entrance of many shopping complexes. The most convenient one for a western visitor is located directly outside the McDonalds side entrance :-) I have yet to find an ATM anywhere in Ukraine without an English menu option upon inserting card, so you are good there.

Currency exchange booths (called "obmen balut" in Russian can be found all over the down town area and around most shopping areas. They are rarely marked in English but all use similar signage, so once you figure out what to look for, you are set. You see some examples in these photos. The rates are easily visible, so there shouldn't be surprises. The lower rate listed for your currency is the one you will receive back in Grivna. GB Pounds are rarely listed but no doubt accepted.


You can check the current mid-market exchange rate before you leave at www.xe.com. Exchange as little money in the Kiev airport as possible, just enough to eat, drink and get online, the exchange rate at the airport is lower than reality. Also note, the exchange rate down by the harbor area in Sevastopol is skewed slightly lower as well - but just past McDonalds its usually a little better.

Bottom Line: bring some cash, a credit card for emergencies and your debit card to withdraw Grivna as needed.