FAQ AND SAFETY

IN WHAT LANGUAGES IS THE TOUR TO CHERNOBYL CONDUCTED?

English and Czech

DO I NEED A VISA TO VISIT THE UKRAINE?

DO NOT NEED VISA for a stay of up to 90 days:

Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea (South), Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Mongolia, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russia, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Vatican City, United Kingdom, United States & Uzbekistan.

If you are a citizen from a country not listed in this list, you will not have a problem obtaining a touristic visa. The invitation is automatically issued by any of the Kiev hotels by booking.

HOW CAN I PAY FOR THE TRIP TO CHERNOBYL?

The price for the Chernobyl visit is paid either in full when booking (bank transfer) or by 50% of your price as reservation fee during booking, at least 14 days before the trip, plus 50% in cash when we meet in person before the departure to the Zone. 

I am asking you to send me the 50% reservation fee upfront, which is then used to cover the official Chernobyl zone entry permits, all state fees and agreements. The 50% reservation fee is nonrefundable once I purchase the permits. No cancellation fees apply if you cancel your tour. The sum is paid either in EUR, USD or GBP according to Google online converter.

CAN WE ENTER BUILDINGS IN PRIPYAT?

Since April 1, 2012 it is officially forbidden (due to safety reasons) to enter buildings in Pripyat. Despite this fact, I assure you that you will have almost the same experience as the former Pripyat tour. Adding some unique buildings and places (outside the borders of Pripyat) into the program is a full replacement of the buildings in Pripyat that are out of reach for the moment.

CAN I TAKE PHOTOS IN CHERNOBYL?

Yes! There are a photo and camera restrictions only in the campus of Chernobyl nuclear power plant and at the checkpoints with guards.

DRON: But if you want to use dron you have to apply for special permission! So let me know before!

HOW MUCH IN ADVANCE DO I NEED TO BOOK A CHERNOBYL TOUR?

I advise you to book your tour 3-4 weeks in advance. This will provide us with plenty of time to plan the exploration precisely. And keep in mind the high season: March-October (a lot of tourists).

IS VISITING CHERNOBYL DANGEROUS?

Yes, as much as visiting any other place in the world. The level of radiation is high only in some places of Chernobyl zone. Those places are avoided during our exploration, or we stay near these places only for a brief amount of time. During a one day spent in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, the body receives a dose of gamma radiation comparable to 0,0005 dose by X-ray scan or to 3-5 hours spent in an airplane. In numbers, you will receive 3-5 microsieverts of gamma radiation – an absolutely non-harmful dose of radiation. For comparison, most of the nuclear power plants around the world have a safety limit for their employees set at 50-100 microsieverts per day. 

Most probably you will get more radiation during your flight to Kiev. In order to be sure you come back home safe, you will get a free respirator and a pair of gloves at no cost.

DO I NEED A GAS MASK OR A RESPIRATOR FOR THE CHERNOBYL TOUR?

Only for cool pictures! No, you do not need to take a gas mask or respirator for visiting Chernobyl, Pripyat and surrounding areas. However, I will give you a respirator and a pair of gloves for free at the entrance to the Chernobyl exclusion zone.

WHAT SHOULD BE TAKEN TO CHERNOBYL FOR THE CHERNOBYL VISIT?

Visitors have to wear pants (not shorts), long-sleeve shirts/jackets and closed shoes (not sandals or flip-flops). I recommend you to take old clothes that can be easily washed or even thrown away.

It is forbidden to take to/from the Chernobyl exclusion zone any weapons, animals, plants, drugs, etc. Tourists are also not allowed to take artefacts that they have found in the Chernobyl zone out of the zone! So calm down Stalkers!!!