The Chornobyl Exclusion Zone is one of the most unusual trips from Kyiv, and also the strictest when it comes to rules. You cannot just show up: you need a permit arranged in advance, a passport and a licensed guide. Here is how to prepare so the day goes without surprises, and what you will see along the way.
The trip at a glance
- Length: 13 hours, from 07:00 to 20:00.
- Meeting point: 07:00 at Dorohozhychi metro station.
- Age: 18 and over; exceptions only by prior arrangement.
- Documents: your passport details must be sent at least 5 days before the trip.
- Included: transport, the permit, a licensed guide, radiation checks and mandatory medical insurance for the day of the tour.
Documents and the permit
You can enter the zone only with a Ukrainian citizen’s passport or, for foreigners, an international passport. The permit is issued in advance using exactly those passport details, so send them no later than 5 days before the tour and bring the same document on the trip. At the Dytiatky checkpoint, documents and permits are checked before you enter the 30-kilometer zone.
What to wear
The dress code in the zone is mandatory: closed clothing that covers your arms and legs, and closed shoes. Shorts, dresses, sleeveless tops and sandals will not do, even in the heat. It is also recommended to bring spare shoes or a bag to put your shoes in before the return trip. Remember that you will spend much of the day outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Rules in the zone
- Do not sit or lie on the ground.
- Do not touch objects or plants.
- Do not take anything out of the zone, not even a souvenir from the ground.
- Smoking and eating are allowed only in designated areas.
- On the way out, everyone goes through a mandatory radiation check at the Dytiatky checkpoint.
These rules are there for your safety, and the guide makes sure they are followed throughout the route. Stay with the group and do not wander off on your own.
The day’s route
The drive from Kyiv to the Dytiatky checkpoint takes about two hours. The first big stop is the Duga radar station, the giant antenna of a Soviet over-the-horizon radar rising above the forest. Next comes Prypiat, a town built in 1970 for the plant’s workers and abandoned for good after the evacuation on April 27, 1986.
Then comes the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant: from a viewing platform you see the Shelter, known as the sarcophagus, and the New Safe Confinement over it. The program ends in the town of Chornobyl at the memorial, with dinner in the local canteen. After the radiation check on the way out, the group returns to Kyiv, another two hours or so on the road.
What to bring
- The passport whose details were used for the permit.
- Closed clothing and shoes, plus a bag or spare shoes.
- Water and a small snack for the road: in the zone you may eat only in designated areas.
- A power bank: it is a long day, and photos and video drain a phone fast.
Who this trip suits
Chornobyl appeals to anyone who wants to see the history of the disaster with their own eyes, not just in documentaries. It is a long and emotionally heavy day, so it suits adults who are ready for 13 hours on the road and on their feet. If you would like a calmer trip, see the other day trips from Kyiv: Kaniv, Sofiyivka or Chernihiv. Prices and the nearest dates are on the tour card above.
