One of the best things about Kiev are its affordable taxis, which rarely cost more than $5 for a ride within the city. You also have the luxury at ordering taxis over the telephone and having them appear at your address at a designated time. A service like this in London or any major European city would cost two to three times what it costs in Kiev. The inexpensive taxis are what gives this city its intense party energy, with revelers able to switch clubs at a moment’s notice for a price of a cocktail. The other plus is that the cars are not the smelly Ladas or Volgas you might get when flagging down a car on the street. They’re usually solid middle-class cars like Skodas, Chevrolets, Audis, Hyundais and so on, which makes for a rather pleasant ride, especially when you come upon one of the city’s many friendly and vivacious taxi drivers. However, when you’re not in an option to call a taxi, you can also flag a gypsy cab on the street. Almost every driver in Kiev moonlights as a taxi driver at times to make some extra cash. There are also those who aren’t affiliated with a taxi company and ride around seeking clients. Speaking English is an invitation for being ripped off, so try your parussky. Prices for gypsy cabs vary wildly depending on your bargaining skills. Don’t pay more than 50 grivnas for a ride within the city center though. Taxis to Boryspol Airport cost between 200-250 grivnas, and the ride takes around 45 minutes. Kievtonite lists some of Kiev’s better-run taxi companies for our readers. Etalon Taxi: One of the most popular and more efficient taxi companies, with very reasonable charges. Has a well-maintained fleet of cars & minivans and can usually send a vehicle over within 10-15 minutes of ordering. However, runs out of cars at rush hour and during bad weather periods. English speaking. Tel: 5015501, 3913391. Mob. 063 237 5454. Website: Etalon Taxi Alfa Taxi: Another popular, inexpensive taxi company, with tariffs of 2.40 grivna/km in the center. You can use their taxis for an entire hour for as low as 50 grivna, as long as the distance covered is less than 10km. A great option for shopping expeditions, when one doesn’t want to lug groceries down the street. Tel: (044) 227-71-71, (044) 535-71-54. Mob. 093 406-67-67 Website: Alfa Taxi Top Taxi: Solid taxi company with modern fleet of cars that promises to be faster than its competitors and has a higher tariff of 2.5 grivna/km. You can also orders taxi online from its website top-taxi.org Tel: (044) 599-79-79, (099) 449-79-79 Meteor Taxi: Professional taxi company with strong relationship with corporate clients that services customers with its fleet of Volvos, Toyota Corollas and Hondas. You can order a Chevrolet or better class of cars for a 15% surcharge. Tel: (044) 393-7-393, (098) 619-33-33 Website: Taxi Meteor Lada Taxi: This retro taxi company has a fleet of Ladas, the trademark Soviet car. Though their cars are the modern versions of the Soviet massmobile, like the Priora and Samara, made by Russia’s AvtoVAZ, the vehicle’s nostalgic associations make this a great one to call when friends from the West are visiting. Its tariffs are also the lowest in the Kiev at 2 grivna/km. Can anybody beat that? Tel: (095) 535-52-52, (098) 535 52-52 Website: Lada Taxi