In November of 2025, I knew I wanted to travel to Ukraine. Ukraine has been in a full scale war with Russian since 2022, but the conflict began about 12 years ago.

I will be heading to Lviv on March 3rd, which is on the West side of Ukraine. It borders Poland and is essentially the farthest away from the Russia border that I can be, while still being in the country. While it’s not on the frontlines, no place in Ukraine is safe. They still have blackouts and power outages, still have air raid warning, still have bombs destroying buildings and taking lives. But in relation to the Eastern parts of Ukraine, it is safer (from my understanding). So let’s talk about how I am preparing to go, what I plan to do and how I plan to get there.

Documents

So I had to find a Ukrainian company and was able to get it through there. I used this website. I’m not claiming it’s the best one out there, but it seemed to do the trick and with my luck, I hope to not use it!

***PLEASE MAKE SURE TO PRINT YOUR DOCUMENTS OUT!***

Planning how to get there without airplanes going into Ukraine

Obviously, there are no planes traveling to and from Ukraine due to the ongoing conflict. Because of this, most people who are flying arrive in neighboring countries and then get ground transport to Ukraine itself. Initially, I was looking at Warsaw, but Rzeszów looked a lot closer.

• Google Flights gave me a United Airlines Flight of less than $500 IAD-MUC (Washington-Munich; 8 hours); boarding at 5:40pm. (This was all flights, roundtrip).
• Layover in Munich Germany for about 3-4 hours (wish I was able to explore but that’s not nearly enough time and the only other option was a 21 hour layover!)
• MUC-RZE is my next flight of about 1.5 hours and then I’ll arrive around 12:50pm the next day.
• At 3pm, I booked my bus (Lev-Bus) from Rzeszów-Jasionka Airport Bus Stop to Lviv Bus Station Dvirtseva (3:10pm-7:30pm). Now, whether I decide to Uber (Called Uklon in Ukraine) or take public transportation which would let me arrive around 20 minutes later is based on my energy and willpower to be honest, HA! The bus was $32. Public transportation is about $0.40-$0.60 and Uber is $2.50–$4.50.

Language Barriers

I am learning Ukrainian, by no ways fluent, but likely to be around A2 by the time I arrive (I started learning in November/December!) A couple things I am planning on doing to reduce the barrier.

Must-brings with the war

I am going in March which means it’s going to be cold, especially with the power outages. Some days there are none- but others there are 12 hour blackouts. That means no electricity, no heat, nothing. So here are some things that are specific to the current conditions:

• Power bank(s)
• Lots of blankets, coats, etc.
• If you’re volunteering, ask the places you’re going if they need anything that would be easy for you to bring

Other things that I need to bring that are not war-specific, but Europe specific:

• Travel adapter (specifically if your plugs are different than ones in Europe). I was recommended this one by a friend.
• I’m sure I will think of more later…

Connections are a must!

Initially I had come wanting to volunteer, but it was oddly hard to find places to connect with. I tried the church across the street and Hope for Ukraine, but they either didn’t respond or didn’t offer daily volunteer opportunities. I was spending time with a friend, who suggested reaching out to the airbnb host and was so glad I did! I got connected to a WhatsApp group with daily dinners and I believe daily (or almost daily) volunteer options at Domvika, the local animal shelter and rehabilitation center, soup kitchens, candle making, camo net making, energy bars, and so much more. As for language barriers, having people who can speak Ukrainian is a huge help. And in general, it can be great to meet people who know the layout and process of volunteering somewhere like Ukraine. The apps and volunteer options (below) were all suggested by them and oh! I’m getting a list of “must-see” sights if I decide to venture out to Kyiv (the capital).

Apps to get

4. Tickets/Commuting (you don’t have to get them all)

• TICKETS.UA- airplane (750+ airlines), rail and bus tickets, multiple search filters and 24-7 help.
• Y3- Ukrainian railways app- tickets, seats reservations, trip reminders, etc.
• OMIO- booking bus, train, flight and ferry tickets with live travel updates and ability to compare companies

5. Hostelworld app- for people wanting to stay in hostels. Personally, I am staying in an airbnb, but it’s good to know for those who aren’t!

6. Telegram app- communication/chats, it has channels to know power outages, news, etc.

7. Make sure you either have social media, Whatsapp, etc., to communicate with people in your home country without the international fees (for them; I assume you would get an international plan)

Best $$ conversion in Lviv

In Lviv, depending on where you go, the conversion rates may be different. Some banks (like mine, RIP) will charge your card for foreign transactions, so you may even just prefer using cash instead. This is an ATM without fees and has good exchange rates in Lviv. You might also be able to get Hyrvnias from a local conversion place in your country.

Phones, Sim-Cards, etc.

Time and time again, I have been recommended Kyivstar, which is a telecommunications operator in Ukraine and has SIM cards which you can put in your phone for less $30/month or less. You get a Ukrainian phone number and can use all traditional plans (internet, calls, SMS).

You’ll want to get this shortly after you arrive for your own sanity but also so you can more easily check in with others. You’ll want to decide how you want to talk to the people in your home country. Many might be worried and want to know what’s going on. For me, I chose social media for most and for the ones whom I don’t have connections with on my Instagram or Facebook- WhatsApp!

You will have outage schedules in your area, know what group you’re in to find out. Lvivska region is group 2.1 or 3.1 in emergencies. You can find out what group you’re in by going here.

What I’ll do there

So of course I’ll be hitting all the best restaurants and exploring the area (restaurants and must-see sights will be linked below after I go) but if you are thinking of volunteering, here are some great walk-in places that will accept you:

• Lviv Volunteer Kitchen- (makes dehydrated meals for the army; you can show up anytime the kitchen is open (daily) and they will have you peel potatoes or other things
• Camo Netting– has various locations, and is a specialized, lightweight, and durable fabric-and-mesh material designed to conceal personnel, vehicles, and equipment by blending them into natural surroundings.
• Domivka Vryatovanykh Tvaryn (Home of Rescued Animals)– a Ukraine-based shelter that rescues and rehabilitates injured pets and wildlife. Amidst the war, it has saved over 9,000 animals, including foxes, dogs, cats, and birds. It serves as a refuge and adoption center focusing on veterinary care. You can walk dogs, play with cats, etc.
• Energy bars– making energy bars for soldiers on the front. Happens a couple times a week.
• Train Station– There is a NGO (PTAHA) which operates in the train station daily 10am-3pm helping refugees and displaced people from the war zone. Humanitarian-type work. This would likely need more fluency in Ukrainian.
• Trench candles– this would need a shift but can be found in Lviv and helps with light and some warmth.
• I will continue to update this list as I see more opportunities when I visit.

Safety Protocol with Bombs and Crisis’

You should know where the bomb shelter is and know proper protocol. Often, bombs will happen multiple times, sometimes waiting for the paramedics to arrive, so if you can and see injured people, the goal is to pull them away from harms way quickly before the second bomb strikes. This is only something to do if you are able to, and generally it is best to have someone with you. You never want to do this, get hit by the bomb and now both of you are injured. If you can, go help. If you can’t- don’t risk it.

And thus… wish me luck! I will continue to update this post with more information, links and photos as I learn/get them. Be safe and Slava Ukraini!