The national currency of the Ukraine is the Hrivna (Pronounced Grivna). The Hrivna is now stable and as of January 2008 is trading at 5.08 to the U.S. dollar. The Hrivna is the official currency and all banks, restaurants, disco, etc. and all other normal purchases are conducted in Hrivnas. If you are paying for something privately, U.S. dollars are the top currency followed by the Euro.

Travelers checks, American Express and Barclays can be cashed in local banks into dollars for 3%. American Express does not have an office in the Ukraine to replace lost checks.

ATM cards are widely used and bank machines are literally every 100 yards (98 meters :-). ATM machines dispense the Hrivna and some even dispense dollars for an additional 3%. Instructions are in Russian, Ukrainian and English. Some machines have German and French also.

Please make sure that all of your banknotes our new in crisp.  Worn bills or bills that are torn or have writing on them will not be excepted for exchange in the Ukraine.

Cash is king in the Ukraine. Charge cards are not widely accepted and are best to not be used. The Ukraine is famous for credit card fraud and often, some estimates as high as 30%, your credit information is stolen and used before you can report it. I  highly suggest NOT using a credit card in Ukraine.

Currency exchange January 9th 2008

Money Exchange Rate Sign

ATM Teller Machine - known locally as a  Bankomat