Lviv Airport
Lasting Impressions....
Memorable comments left by travellers:
"Toilet paper is generously given by the friendly old lady on the premises. Although not on par with western standards" (Andrew)
"custom inspector - without $10-50 impossible to pass custom - they will come up with some new unwritten law to hold you until you make $$$ contribution." (Vladimir)
"I was never offered an opportunity to make a "charitable" donation and even have had the customs people help me fill out my forms - for free." (Peter D)
"When I refused to "contribute to their favorite charity", and proceeded to argue with the shift manager for about 20 minutes, I was told that "we'd meet again some day", and that she'd remember me." (Rob K)
FEATURED REVIEWS
by Andrew
"It was my first time using LWO (Lviv airport) as a point of entry/departure to Ukraine. LOT (Polish airlines) provided a quick and efficient service from WAW (Warsaw). Upon arrival, a new and clean bus picked us up, and took to the passport control. Immediately prior to this, you will be given an "immigration card" (i.e. name, citizenship, passport , address where staying). Fill out two copies, and take them with you to the passport control.
No problems passing the border, but everything on the immigration card has to be filled out. Once in the country, KEEP the part they give back to you because they WILL ask you for it when you depart.
ABOUT SLEEPING: do not plan to sleep at LWO. It was not designed to be a sleeping airport and has no places to sleep or sit, but the floor. If you have to spend the night, go downtown and find a hotel room for your budget.
Another solution is to get from the airport to the main train station in Lviv. There you can buy food and safely spend the night.
The restrooms for LWO are located outside the airport. They are free (to fliers), clean and do not smell. Toilet paper is generously given by the friendly old lady on the premises. Although not on par with western standards, this restroom will suffice for a traveler's immediate needs.
Flying back, the airport authorities asked for the immigration card (the one you are supposed to keep with you). If you had it, they let you pass; if you did not the airport security asked you to look for it. When the guy in front of me did not have it, he tried to bribe the security. To my shock, the security guy told the "briber" to take his money back and look for the immigration card. Finally, they let him go saying he may have to pay a fine at the passport control.
Since I had my immigration card, they let me go without trouble. Next you talk to a custom's officer who asks about horilka (vodka), paintings and other things. Next is passport control, again no troubles. Finally the same bus takes the passengers to the plane. When I caught up with the guy in front of me and got the details, he said that the passport control girls just laughed about the whole immigration card deal. Apparently the security guys were just having some fun with technicalities. The bottom line is the guy did not have to pay any "fines" and the bribe offered was refused."
by ?
"I arrived in lviv airport with my family for a 4 day holiday. The whole experience was very stressful. we thankfully did not have to sleep in the airport and would strongly recommend to anyone not too!!
Firstly we had to complete immigration cards with little guidance, once completed we had to queue for passport control only to be sent to the back of the queue because we had filled them in wrong. We found the army presence very intimidating and they spoke no English. Once through passport control all the luggage from the flight was thrown on the floor. Two of our bags were missing. It took another two hours of queuing and trying to find someone who knew what we should do. We approached by a number of people wanting to 'carry our bags' and sell us health insurance during this time. We we also told by people in the queues that are baggage was most likely stolen or hidden so that we would have to offer for its safe return.
This didn't happen thankfully, and are bags were delivered to our hotel a day later.
Upon departure the airport again was very chaotic. No queuing system, in fact we had to push our way through a number of people saying goodbye to relatives. The security system was shockingly bad. Bags we pilling up and there was no proper screening. It was very difficult to keep and eye on your bag. i noticed a lady with a child struggling with her bags and there was no help offered or trolleys available. The waiting area had no flight information or announcements. We sat patiently until 5 minutes before the flight departure until a woman came into the crammed room and told us our flight was here. it was then a mad rush to get onto the plane in time. The toilets in the waiting area were poor and unsanitary. There were no refreshments available of customer service.
All in all it was a stressful experience. Major improvements are required to this airport if lviv wants to attract more tourists in the future. Its a shame because lviv is such a beautiful place and I suspect the airport puts a lot of people off coming again. "
Airport Guide
Here is some information that we've picked out of from your reviews. Be sure to read the review pages for the most up-to-date experiences:
- bribery
- get in and out as quickly as possible
- watch your bags at all times
Lviv Travel Sites
- Hostels and Budget Accommodation in Lviv - I've booked my own accommodation on this site. If you are too old for hostels and too cheap for hotels, like me, you'll find some good properties. They offer dorms, private rooms, B&Bs, Apartments.
