Wondering if I need cash for taxis in Ukraine or if I can just pay with card or app like in other countries?
Got caught once with no cash late at night in Kyiv - tried hailing a taxi and he said “no card, cash only.” Ended up walking back 30 minutes because I didn’t want to pay ATM fees just for one ride. Lesson learned. Apps like Bolt work fine with my US card, but only if I have mobile data. If you’re moving around Ukraine, I’d say always have at least 200-300 UAH on you for taxis, just in case the app doesn’t work or you lose signal.
I’ve lived here for a while and always tell visitors: if you're using Bolt or Uklon, you're fine with card. But traditional street taxis are 100% cash-based. They won’t take card, and many won’t have change either. Apps are way more transparent and safe, especially if you’re new to the area. I always keep some small bills for short rides in case I lose signal or the app crashes, but I rarely use them anymore.
I mostly used Bolt in Ukraine - worked great in Kyiv, Lviv, and even in smaller towns like Ternopil. Paid by card every time, no problem. Street taxis? Avoid them unless you have no choice. They usually want cash, and if you don’t speak Ukrainian or Russian, they’ll charge way more. Best to load up Bolt or Uklon, set your card, and avoid the hassle. If you’re wondering “do I need cash for taxis in Ukraine,” the answer is yes - unless you’re using an app.
Definitely bring cash if you’re planning to grab taxis off the street. I took a couple in Lviv and Odessa, and both were cash-only. No meters, no apps, just agree on a price and pay in hryvnia. One guy accepted USD but gave me a terrible rate. If you want to use a card, stick with apps like Bolt - works really well in Kyiv and most big cities, and you can pay in-app with Visa/Mastercard.