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Moscow to Kiev Train WITH KIDS

 
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Mugoftea
Just Starting


Joined: 10 Aug 2005
Posts: 1
Location: Tiksi

PostPosted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:55 am    Post subject: Moscow to Kiev Train WITH KIDS Reply with quote

I live in Moscow and want to travel down to Kiev on the overnight train with the whole family. I have an idealised picture of the two kids (4 and 7 years) waking up refreshed in Kiev for a days siteseeing.

However having lived in Russia for a while my obvious first thought is Immigration.

Is it necessary for all passengers to disembark at the border at some God foresaken hour, stand in a queue and re-board ? If so, is this once or twice ? Carrying two sleeping kids through customs in the middle of the night is not my idea of fun ! Any advice gratefully received so I can make the decision on whether to just get on a plane instead.

THANKS
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Intourist
Talk Show Host


Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 245
Location: Moscow

PostPosted: Wed Aug 10, 2005 9:51 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't actually crossed the Ukrainian border by train, but friends and relatives have, and I've crossed the border with Latvia, Estonian and Finland.

No, you don't get off the train. Passport control and Customs come onto the train at the station before the border. They come into each cabin (kupe) and inspect it and your passports. Usually passport control comes through first, stamps your passport (maybe after a few questions about where you're heading and why) and then customs comes through and sees if you have anything they can fine you for.

Then you cross the border and you do it again on the Ukrainian side.

Word to the wise: according to friends, the guards down there take a lot of "liberty" with the law. They thoroughly check your bags, see how much cash you're carrying, etc, etc. Do NOT risk taking anything that might get you in trouble. They will try to extract bribes.

But it also depends apparently what time you cross. Some shifts are 'laxer' than others.
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