Concise Chernobyl Travel Guide
Below are some FAQs and links that allowed us to book our amazing trip to Chernobyl!
Company We Used (Solo East Travel):
Was great! Highly recommend. Super affordable. Around $100 a day. They drive you from there from Kiev.
Why Should I Go To Chernobyl? Is it worth?
So worth. As someone who likes history and exploring less ventured areas, Chernobyl was one of the highlights of my Eastern Europe trip. It was super cool to see everything that was left behind in the abandoned town of Pripyat, get super close to the reactor, and watch really relevant, super interesting documentaries and other related media on the included drive there.
Is it safe?
It is extremely safe. You and your guide will be walking in areas with radiation levels that are lower than the radiation you receive while on an international flight. They cleaned up the area around the reactor so well that you are allowed to walk super close to it.
Before you exit the area, as a super cautious measure, you even go through a radiation screening detector that can specifically locate which part of your body has radiation. In the extremely unlikely case you have ventured somewhere off path and have a radiation particle on your skin or clothes, you legit just have to wash it off with soap and water.
Why do I have to wear long sleeves if it’s safe?
In the unlikely change you venture off path and get a radiation particle on you, it is easier to deal with by washing off your clothes than your skin.
What is there to see?
You get to go really close to the reactor where the meltdown happened and get to explore many areas and buildings of the abandoned town of Pripyat. Super cool because almost everything was left there. It’s like you’re looking back in time.
How many days should I spend there?
This depends on what you want to do.
- My friends and I did a two-day tour which allowed us to explore more of Pripyat as well as meet one of the re-settlers who grew up in Chernobyl. One-night hotel and meals were included.
- A one-day tour is sufficient for the core parts of Pripyat and the reactor, but you have less time to see more buildings and some churches in the town. You won’t be able to meet and talk to any re-settlers.
- Our guide told us of people who did five-day tours. On this tour, you get to explore other reactors.
