How to visit Chernobyl
The 3 words you should learn to visit Ukraine:
Hello: привіт (pryvit)
Please: будь ласка (budʹ laska)
Thank You: Дякую тобі (dyakuyu tobi)
Amusement Park, Chernobyl
(c) Sarah Conrad
We were fortunate to have the opportunity to visit Chernobyl in Sept 2017, well before the HBO show and the horrific situation Ukraine (We do not offer any articles on Russia at this time).
On quick examination - the tour companies seem to be taking bookings for later in the year. Will leave that to your discretion.
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Visiting this site feels simultaneously like you’re stepping back in time and feeling like you’re in a video game.
How to get to Chernobyl
Most visitors fly into Kiev - Boryspil International Airport (KBP). From there, the tour outfitter will likely pick you up from the hotel for the 2 hour drive to Pripyat.
How to Visit Chernobyl
To visit Chernobyl, you have to join a professional tour company that has approval for special access. We went with Chernobyl Welcome, who provided a 2 day tour with an overnight stay in the exclusion zone. It was at this time, we learned there was exactly one “hotel” in the exclusion zone (will get to why there are “ “ on hotel in a moment).
There are a few other tour outfitters to choose from if you like.
Can you visit Chernobyl without a guide?
Tourist entry into the exclusion zone is only permitted only with a licenced guide. (Trust us, you need one.)
Is is safe to visit Chernobyl?
It’s silly to answer this question with just “yes,” because so much of the safety is really up to you. If you follow your guide, you will be exposed to less of radiation than a dental x-ray. If you don’t, you are taking big risks for your health.
In addition, the Russian invasion to Ukraine and to this site has made it impossible to visit.
How to Stay Overnight at Chernobyl
There is one hotel in the exclusion zone, and it has to be booked by the tour company. “Hotel” is a loose word - it’s basically two wide trailer homes stacked on top of each other. The food will leave you… wanting so suggest bringing snacks or additional food if you have specific dietary requirements.
They lock you in at night. They will give you the time they lock the doors, so make sure you have everything you need from your vehicle.
Chernobyl Do’s And Don’ts
Bring your passport. You will need it to get through the initial entry into the exclusion zone.
Do wear a Long sleeve shirt and full-length trousers. Fun fact - the radiation emitted from Chernobyl during the explosion is in the ground. They buried it to bring the exposure under control, but that means that the radiation still exists, and on a windy day, dust and dirt particles could bring radiation to your skin. It's forbidden to enter the Exclusion Zone with open clothing and shoes. You cannot wear sandals, shorts, skirts/dresses, short sleeves.
Wear sturdy shoes. The terrain is rough, overgrown, and generally not tended to. Glass, nails, broken boards, metal shards are everywhere.
Don’t pet the cute doggies. It is forbidden to get close or touch the wild animals of the Chernobyl zone, and that includes the dogs. Because as you might imagine, they are radioactive. Don’t be tempted.
Don’t. Touch. Anything. You will be told not to to touch anything (plants, buildings, items, ANYTHING) in the Zone. You guessed it, could be radioactive, and one lil touch could mean you’re leaving with something extra.
Don’t put anything on the ground. Again, the ground is where the radiation is. Radiation doesn’t go away for thousands of years, so it’s just buried.
Don’t eat or drink anything outside. Just when you think it’s time for a quick snack, don’t. Anything you bring out into the air could get radiation on it, then you’d be eating the radiation.
Use your dosimeter. You can either bring your own or rent from the tour company. I was surprised how quick the radiation would change from “just fine” to “you could die.” It’s not a gradual increase. One step off the path or into a different area, and your dosimeter will fire off. Just step back calmly. And follow your guide’s instructions.
Pay attention. The site isn’t covered by any health and safety rules that I could tell. Rubble, nails, open elevator shafts. It’s dangerous, and you should be very careful.
