Preparing one’s smartphone for a trip is as important as packing these days: While the luggage will stay in the hotel room, a phone never leaves a pocket.
In Kyiv, a smartphone can help find the most outstanding sights, navigate to any destination, book a table in a restaurant or a taxi. That is why the Kyiv Post prepared a list of free mobile apps that will come in handy while visiting the capital of Ukraine.
TripAdvisor
TripAdvisor is a world-known app that helps find the lowest airfare, best hotels, great restaurants, and fun things to do.
It provides with information about numerous hotels, dining places and sights in Kyiv — their location, prices, working hours and the main thing — tourists’ reviews.
Users can make a wish list of the places they want to visit and get back to them later. There is also an option to upload the full guide about Kyiv and use it offline.
Available on Android, iOS
EasyWay (Eway)
The app provides with all public transport routes, including subway, buses, trams, trolleybuses and marshrutkas (minibuses). It also contains information on the transport schedule and GPS locations of the nearby buses.
The users can compile their own routes and pick the most convenient way of getting to the destination among the available options.
According to the user’s location, EasyWay determines transport stops and stations nearby and gives a list of public transport that stops by. The app works offline except for the option of GPS locating.
Available on Android, iOS
Kyiv murals
The application is a digital map of over a 100 Kyiv murals (painted walls). It shows pictures of them and descriptions.
The app gives an option to make a list of murals you want to visit, find ones nearby and get the fastest route to them.
The users can also add likes and check-ins. These signs of appreciation are all public and help to determine the most popular murals in Kyiv.
Available on iOS
MAPS.ME
An incredibly detailed map with turn-by-turn navigation and directions is essential for tourists while visiting a new place. The users can download the city map and use it offline anytime.
The map shows parking lots, hotels and hostels, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, travel agencies, apartments available for rent, hospitals and more.
The app features each building’s number or a name, which makes it easy to find the exact address.
Available on Android, iOS
Uber/Uklon
Online taxi service Uber, that works all over the world, is available in Kyiv. Uber’s local-made alternative Uklon is also a good option. Both applications help to find fast, reliable rides in minutes. Uklon shows the final price of the ride upon ordering the taxi, which means there is no rip-off danger for foreigners.
The users can pay for service with cash or cards. In Uklon there is also an option of advanced booking, in case you want to make sure to have a ride beforehand.
Available on Android, iOS
Metro Kiev Free
Metro Kiev Free is a convenient subway map that works offline. It lets users make their own routes, measures the approximate time needed to get to the destination, including time spent on escalators and changing the lines.
It is an easy way for tourists to find out how much time they will spend en route and plan their day.
Available on Android
Google Translate
Coming to a foreign country, tourists should make sure to know the basic vocabulary and have a translating app downloaded in case of need.
The application supports over a 100 languages and will be useful in Kyiv, where most of the signboards, menus, price tags are written in Ukrainian and Russian.
For translation, users can input text themselves or take a picture of it and highlight words to be translated. There is also an option to use the embedded recorder and translate audio announcements, for instance.
Available on Android, IOS
