KIEV AIRPORT review : 5 November 2009 by A Lito
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Customer Rating : 2/5 |  |
Things have improved in both A and B terminals. It has been expanded but there have been
several re-organizations over the years the current one is terrible. Apart the queues at the
immigration desk (it is the same in other countries too) with the exception that in Ukraine
they use a mixture of ex-soviet and western methods so one can imagine the chaos. I agree that
in the arrival/departure entrance there are too many people, and I would suggest for anyone
that has valaubles to put them in the hand luggage and make sure that you hold it tight with
all the pockets closed. Ukraine is a poor country and still developing and it has a long way
to go. Airport charges are lower than others. and you cannot do anything about it. Smile and
they will smile back.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 31 August 2009 : by Matthew Fletcher
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Customer Rating : 1/5 |  |
Visited in August 2009 from London. Expect to be bussed to the terminal in extremely
overcrowded conditions. Once arriving grab a couple of the customs declarations forms and join
a queue. Don't start filling in the forms first ... you will have plenty of time in the queue!
The right-most side was for Ukrainian citizens and was indicated as such by a ceiling sign. I
had to queue for 1h 25m however others on the same day were claiming 2 hours and I believe
them. I wasnt sure if I needed Ukrainian money for a taxi so used the airport bureau de change
which was probably an error as the rate was poor. I then stepped outside looking for an
official cab which was a second mistake as I should have retraced my steps and used one of the
Taxi desks. I was then hassled by an unofficial cab-driver (who spoke excellent English) while
I wandered around cluelessly. Luckily about 100m from the terminal to your right when you exit
I found a little wooden cabin with Taxi written on it and they sorted me out immediately for
250 UAH which was written on a receipt for me to give to the driver (although I gave him a tip
too). I certainly recommend these guys but Im sure the Taxi desks inside the terminal are fine
too. I wouldnt use the unofficial taxis unless you like negotiating a bargain and can speak
Russian. I was quoted the same price from Kiev back to the airport so it seems fairly standard
and works out to about £20 or $30 and seems fine for the distance. Returning home the
experience was better with only a 30 min or so queue at passport control. The duty-free shop
inside the departures lounge area was well-stocked and although the prices were in Euros you
could in fact get rid of all your Ukrainian money when paying and make up the difference in
Euros.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 17 August 2009 : by F Svensson
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Ukraine should be ashamed of the capital“s international airport. There are constant thefts
from all travellers luggage and despite loads of attention from media, private individuals and
the business and diplomatic community, nobody is doing anything about it. I have had four
locks on bags broken and nowadays I leave the bags open and carry everything of the slightest
value in my hand luggage. Shame also to the airlines who do not act more efficiently to this
problem.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 31 July 2009 : by M Neuman
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
I will try my best to avoid this airport in the future! On arrival (from PRG), I spent 1 hour
queuing for the immigration control. On the return, you are only allowed to enter the check-in
area once your check-in begins. This, however, means that you are forced to wait in a crowded
area with very pushy travelers that do not hesitate to harm you (e. with their luggage) as to
jump the queue. Once finally checked-in, I passed security control: however, the employees
were not particularly concerned by people setting off the X-ray machines. Moreover, the
airport lacks a proper seating area with available seats (at least during peak hours) and
should improve the toilets! In general, a horrible experience not providing travelers with any
pleasure and comfort.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 24 July 2009 : by S Ketch
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Customer Rating : 3/5 |  |
Immigration was quick and easy. Crowded luggage pick up, lots of taxi men in the hall - avoid
them (the price of a ride to Kiev is approx 15 euro, so dont overpay). Taking into account it
was a regional airport before, and is being reconstructed I give Borispol a credit.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 8 June 2009 : by Alex Buenafe
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Arrived at Kiev Airport from Vienna. Immigration was a bit cramped, otherwise I was out of
there in 15 minutes. The immigration form had two parts, both of which had to be filled in.
One the immigration agent, keeps the other stamps and gives back to you (which I discovered
was basically your departure form.) Customs was a breeze, but exiting out was a bit of a zoo.
A lot of men offering "taxis". If you don't know where you're going, not a good idea.
Departure from Kiev for Vienna. The drop off is not curbside, and I had to get out of the car
quickly as stopping wasn't allowed. Checking in and getting through immigration was a breeze,
but there isn't very much in the departure lounges. Also, they tend to use Euros. Overall
it's a bit dated, crowded, and felt unsafe.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 29 May 2009 : by James Grierson
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
On arrival to Borispol B was greeted in Passport Control by a number of other flights arriving
at the same time, consequently passage through took 30 minutes before getting to luggage
carousel. On departure the same thing happened (many passengers - few Passport Control
officers) and took equally as long. Landside there is an Irish bar and a snack bar, a duty
free shop but very few seats. The balancing act is keeping your passage short but ensuring you
have adequate time to bypass Passport Control.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 28 October 2008 : by Kev Rymell
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
Have used terminals A and B on a regular basis. Things are improving but for a country of this size
Borispol is a poor introduction to the Ukraine. It will grow over the next few years and hopefully
by 2012 it might be adequate for the international traveller. Staff speak little English which is
bizarre as the many times I have been there it is often filled with English speaking customers! I
have never had a problem with the toilets in terminal B but A is different, too small and not
cleaned very often. The bus ride to the planes in winter can be like sardines in an icebox - be
warned! Passport control is all about knowing the system, on my first visit it took me over an hour.
I then learnt to jump the lines and got it down to 10 minutes, standing in line for anything is not
the Ukraine way, pushing to the front is acceptable. To avoid taxi sharks learn a little Russian,
and they leave you alone, never had a problem. Finally, it is a developing country give it time and
it will come good, overall Borispol is OK, crowded, noisy, too small with little Western style ideas
of customer service - accept these things and you will be fine.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 2 October 2008 : by G Lopenzo
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Used Kiev with a group of 15 Canadian tourists. Although it isn't as modern as western airports, its
not bad. Check in was slow, but all bags checked through to Toronto (Ukraine International to vienna
and Austrian to Toronto), all arrived. Security took 15 minutes as there is one machine to screen
all passengers in "B" holdroom, which has probably 5 gates for 150 seat jets. Very poor. Overall,
its okay.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 1 October 2008 : by D Zohar
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Very backward airport - filthy toilets, confusing signs, rip-offs at food stalls and duty free and
worst of all- if in transit there is a high probability your luggage will be lost. In my small tour
group that went via Kiev to China there were 5 lost suitcases. Beware.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 26 September 2008 : by M Bedioui
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Waiting for hours at KBP can be boring and depressing. Especially as plugs are more than rare and
inaccessible. Seating areas in the international terminal are packed, noisy. In case you have to
wait for 7 hours as I have today, you have to know that when you arrive from abroad, you can freely
stay in the luggage hall, where you have many FREE seats, close to reachable plugs. That is just
before you go through the Customs, close to the lost & found office. And nobody will tell you
anything. Also, second good news, Ukraine will host the Soccer Euro cup in 2012: That surely means a
new airport. Any information about that?
KIEV AIRPORT review : 27 August 2008 : by Yevheniy Kahanovych
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Customer Rating : 1/5 | |
Borispol is getting worse and worse. Very inefficient security service located near recently made
unnecessary doors which are never closed, but are too narrow to allow a person with wheeled bag to
go through. Probably the most idiotic change over the years. Immigration booths are moved to almost
nowhere and are now located near the line of smelly toilets, so standing in the line is a quite an
experience. No choice of food airside. 2 bars selling pieces of bread for 3EUR. Lots of vodka is
available, though. On arrival it is not terrible, but just bad. Again poor toilets. When asked
cleaners why toilets are not cleaned, was answered that they don't get cleaning liquids. Staff
attitude is third world. Overall experience is third world.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 2 August 2008 : by Dave Stanley
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
The staff are working hard at being the most miserable on the planet. At least, that is how it felt
arriving. I had a connecting flight to catch, which was almost missed because of the extremely long
inbound immigration queues. Standard response from staff to most queries was 'What do you expect me
to do about it?' The airport cannot cope with the number of flights now using it. The actual
building and facilities are not too bad. If there is a long queue for the toilets, run over to the
domestic terminal.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 20 June 2008 : by J Rebel
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Customer Rating : 3/5 | |
Been in & out some 20+ times over the last 3 years and it has become obvious that the airport's
capacity is stretched to it limits. When departing the drop-off is now often a couple of hundred
meters from the terminal building unless you bribe one of the guards to let you through. (going rate
Hrv 15) Check-in speed depends on the airline but is usually good if you pick the line carefully.
Passport control often has 30 minute lines going out and a 1 hour wait is not unusual coming in.
Luggage retrieval has a strong Congolese flavor and if you think your bag isn't coming, hotfoot it
over to the handlers' office asap. to be the first to fill in a claim. (processing time of a claim:
15 minutes minimum x 20 people waiting after you isn't so bad unless you're the last one in line.)
On a brighter note: fine soft-ice is sold in arrivals' hall for a song and taxi fares are deeply
negotiable.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 30 May 2008 : by Yevheniy Kahanovych
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Customer Rating : 2/5 | |
This is my third comment here since 2005. Need to say that the passenger volume grows rapidly, and
the airport doesn't manage it well. Since last year there is no thing that hasn't worsen there. One
plus is that check in remains fast. Overall facility now is an absolute third world with dirty
toilets, rip off food prices, taxi scam and airline offices chaotically distributed throughout the
departures hall and looking like flea market stalls. Cigarette smoke everywhere, still no line
management at check-in or anywhere else. Parking and access to the terminal are idiotic. The
facility is complete chaos, and I wouldn't wonder to find it appropriate for let say Nigeria, not
for Kiev. Passport control is not sufficiently staffed for the most of the day, especially in the
morning when dozen of flights to Western Europe are departing. The signage remains insufficient,
written in ridiculous English. I have no idea whether anybody cares about passengers' needs. It is
not as bad as Sheremetyevo yet, but the management only cares how to leave as much room for
improvement as possible. Embarrassment to the city and to the country.
KIEV AIRPORT review : 5 May 2008 : by Evan Horbay
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Customer Rating : 4/5 |  |
Departing on Ukraine international to Vienna. Check in was slow, but we quickly made it to customs,
where we were through within 5 minutes. Departures area quite nice. 2 security screens for all B
gates is crazy, as it takes forever. Gate area fine, and we were bussed in a modern bus to our
plane, very close to the terminal. Overall, a nice place.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by T Phipps
20 December 2007 Customer Rating :
n/a
Hideous airport. Arrived there in August. The queues at passport control were vast and it took over
hour to get through, just to get my passport stamped. The queues were disorganised with no fences to
keep queues organised. Many people entered the Ukrainian citizens passport control queue by mistake
and had to wend their way into the international passports lines. By the time I'd cleared passport
control, I entered the baggage reclaim area from hell: luggage was strewn everywhere, offloaded from
the carousels and dumped on the floor to make room for the later flights, whose passengers were
still caught in the doom that was passport control. Dozens of people were slowly picking their way
through the piles of bags in a quest for their luggage. I finally found mine, and then had to weave
my way through swarms of people standing in the arrivals hall for the poor souls still trapped in
passport control. Departure was better, but then it could hardly be worse. For some reason, they
have customs checks BEFORE you reach the check in desks (and then after) so the check in clerks have
no one to process because of the slow process at the one security gate. There is no queuing system
there either - just a large scrum. I've been to Africa, and Borispol Airport is far worse than
anything I've seen there. I can imagine that airports in a war zone have better organised airports.
It was hell and the only reason I give it a 1 star is because there isn't anything less. Having said
that, Kiev is a wonderful city.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Mark Evans
4 December 2007 Customer Rating : 
The lack of jetways at Borispil means that you are most likely to be bused to and from your
aircraft. In winter's sub-zero temperatures, this is most unwelcome, as you will spend much time
crushed on board a bus that is in no hurry to get a move on, its doors wide open to the elements.
Wrap up warm! You can avoid the taxi touts on arrival by going to the taxi kiosk at Terminals A and
B to book and prepay your taxi - I paid a fare to a southern Kiev suburb of UAH200, equivalent to
USD40 or GBP20. The taxis are not metered and foreign arrivals are seen as fair game.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych
9 October 2007 Customer Rating :
I regularly fly to and from Borispol, both domestically and internationally. Need to say that the
airport is growing, some things are getting better, some are worsening, but the overall trend is
positive. Toilets are now cleaner than couple years ago, security lines are not long, but move slowly,
as well as immigration lines on departure. Immigration on arrival is ok. As to the domestic terminal,
some improvement is visible, but the whole facility is not really good. Taxi scam is on the place at
the both terminals, and there is not known if the aiport authorities have an idea how to manage the
issue (can recommend them to look at Domodedovo taxi service). Another trouble of the aiport is their
sings. They are written in very funny English. It seems that manufacturer used automatic dictionary to
translate words from Ukraininan into English. There is a serious lack of food facilities. The existing
ones are only landside, overpriced and of very poor quality. Airside, you can only find bars with
small selection of pre-cooked sandwiches of uninspiring quality. Shopping is limited to a single duty-
free shop which is too small for the number of people crowding inside. WiFi is available evrywhere,
but doesn't connect you to Internet. Vehicle access to the building is idiotically organised. Worse
than anywhere else. Parking facilities are nothing but trouble. All in all, very average, but better
than it used to be.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Christian Mueller
18 September 2007 Customer Rating : 
Like most Eastern-European Airports also KBP offers a 3rd VIP Terminal (Terminal C) - for departure
and arrival. At a charge of US$ 100/way and person this service is available for everyone (but you
have to make the reservation at least one day before your departure/arrival via phone). You arrive to
Terminal C by car (seperate parking), your luggage is picked up, your passport/ticket taken and you
may sit down at sofas and enjoy a drink and food (free). Then you'll be handed your boarding pass and
be brought through a seperate customs/passport control were you don't have t wait at all. Then you sit
down in a seperate hall in Terminal C and wait for boarding. A minibus will bring you to the aircraft
and a staff member will bring your hand luggage to the aircraft door. Instead of 2 hours before the
flight (Terminal B) you've to arrive at Terminal C only 1 hour before the flight.
Arriving Terminal C only makes sense when you have hand luggage only and you don't have to wait for
your luggage anyway. Having only hand luggage you'll leave the airport maximum 10 minutes after
arrival of the aircraft.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Tobias de Vlamingh
7 February 2007 Customer Rating : n/a
I use both terminals at Borispol regularly and yes, the domestic
terminal is a little basic, but in fact there are 2 food outlets inside
the domestic terminal and another descent little restaurant just outside
the terminal. In my contact with airport staff at both terminals I found
them to be very helpful and friendly.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych
29 January 2007
Used KBP 4 times in the last two weeks. Terminal B (international) was ok on departure (very swift
check-in with British Airways) and on arrival. Immigration (Ukrainian passport desk) took 10
minutes what was absolutely acceptable. The terminal A (domestic) is a smaller version of terminal
B, but looks = more shabby. This is an ugly facility with nothing to do. No food
outlet, no toilets beyond security, no automated doors leading to apron, no anything you expect to
see at any airport. Check-in swift. Staff are brusque.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Orhan Iner
30 July 2006
On arrival, immigration could be leaner. You might get the wrong
impression that people are rude. Officers knows a little English, but
easy on foreigners. Custom declaration not required if you have less
than $ 3000.00 in cash. If you don't speak Russian, a local MUST you at
arrival. Taxis drivers don't know any English. And airport is about 40
minutes drive from downtown. Terminal, obviously, needs renovation but
departure gates and duty free section are ok. Business lounge is just an
ordinary venue, no goodies.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych
8 July 2006
Another experience of departing from and arriving to Borispol. Check-in
hall is spacious since the customs desks had been removed from there. E-
ticketing converts your check-in to bag drop-off, and that's it! New
immigration facilities, the queue is just 5-7 minutes long. Then you go
to the Duty Free zone. Quite a shabby place. Not clean, with nothing to
do there. Then ridiculous gates signposting. How many numbers would you
assign for two aerobridges and one exit to the tarmac? Three? The wrong
answer. Eleven. It begins from 7, then goes 8, and then 2A. Looks like a
stupid joke. And works the same way. Nobody can simply find where his
flight departs from. Security search at the gate entrance. Arrivals are
is just an annoying place everybody has to pass through; however, it
works better than it looks. Immigration is reasonably fast, baggage
arrives soon. All in all half the way from third world airport with
dirty toilets and no imagination of what should airport look like to
facility that doesn't please, but works and is not a complete disgrace
like Moscow Sheremetyevo or same Borispol 5 years ago.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Peter Yates
18 May 2006
Borispol Airport has improved greatly in the past three years I have
travelled to the Ukraine, and like most airports it seems chaotic to the
novice first travelling to the Ukraine. As you are meet with the usual
serious officials and customs forms. Clearing Passport Control can take
sometime depending upon the number of officials working. Customs are
usually friendly and are no problem. Once you clear Caustoms and enter
the main hall you are meet by a crowd of people some Taxi Drivers and
others meeting people. If you can it is best to meet someone at the
airport to get you past the Taxi drivers as foreigners stand out like a
sore thumb. The airport amenities are getting better but like all
airports are very expensive and offer a poor exchange rate.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Volodya Bilotkach
30 April 2006
Agree with Yevheniy - the airport has improved substantially over the
last year or so. Changes in customs control substantially reduced the
crowds landside. Parking in front of the terminal is chaotic to say the
least, and people smoking everywhere airside make waiting much less
pleasant (there are no smoking signs here and there, but people smoke
anyway). In the soviet times, KBP was pretty good for plane-spotting
(even though there were only Aeroflot planes), but not now. I also think
the authorities should do something about those taxi drivers greeting
you on arrival. I mean, make it illegal for them to solicit rides in the
terminal, at the very least. the funniest thing about the airport is
"EXIT IN CITY" written above the door leading to the arrivals hall.
Could they not find someone with adequate knowledge of English in the
entire country?
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Kasper Hettinga
10 February 2006
On arrival, I was through immigration within 10-15 minutes, staff was
efficient. Baggage took only a short time. In total, in took me less
than an hour from the airplane seat to the airport bus. Taxi
drivers/touts are no problem on arrival. On the way back, the experience
was a bit worse, because there was a huge amount of people waiting to
get past luggage inspection. It was really chaotic! But after 20 minutes
waiting, the screening itself was quick, and there was no waiting for
check-in. From there on, everything went smoothly. I had drinks and food
on airside for acceptable prices. All in all, the airport gave me a much
better impression than expected.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Carsten Hohnsbehn
13 December 2005
Immigration fast and friendly, waiting time for luggage acceptable. All departure passengers crowded in one hall around the duty free shop.
Number of seating places not sufficient. Smoker corner not separated. Only one display about departures, difficult to see.
Kiev Borispol Airport review by Yevheniy Kahanovych
24 October 2005
As Kiev resident I use Borispol constantly and have to say that some
improvements implemented in the last two years were serious. They have
managed to switch to European-like system of customs control for departing passengers, they have built new chek-in area in the Terminal B,
thay have opened a new restaurant of very good quality (but overpriced)
on the landside. As to the airside the situation remains sad. The
departures hall on the second floor is full of smoke (smoking is not
prohibited there), toilets are not clean (such a shame!), and there is
no where to eat at all. The two bars sell drinks and biscuits only . On
arrivals they have built new arrivals hall on the ground level, that is
sufficient for the number of passengers served, but doesn't have any
seat. The passengers bussed from their planes (there are 2 airbridges in
this puny airport only) arrive directly to the immigration hall located
on the ground level, but those who disembark via airbridges, have to use
stairs. Another choice to go down is a single elevator, capacity of
which is good for 2-3 persons. So, when you depart, try not to leave the
landside until the last moment. When you arrive, the only delay can
occur at the immigration desk. All in all, the airport is becoming
acceptable, and as I know, the new terminal is to be built within 3
years.
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