What should you know before visiting Chernobyl (Q&A)
How can I get to Chernobyl? What does Cernobyl look like nowadays? What happened there? What is the level of radiation? Why should I visit this destroyed and abandoned place? There are the most common questions people asked us when finding out we travelled to Chernobyl. Therefore, we summarised all our answers in this article and created your guide to Chernobyl.
1. Why should I visit Chernobyl?
This place is so unique. We’ve already travelled across many countries, but the experience in Chernobyl is absolutely different. The atmosphere is so specific – we registered really intense impressions. When you try to imagine what happened at this place 33 years ago – when a part of nuclear power plant exploded, you will get goosebumps. During the trip to Chernobyl, you will see (that time) modern buildings, various remnants of communism or completely abandoned town. These places filled us with sadness, fear and astonishment. It is really hard to describe the emotions by words, you just need to be there present to understand them.
2. What happend in Chernobyl?
26. April 1986 was marked in the history in bold black letters. This night is remembered because of the biggest catastrophe in nuclear energy in the world. It was caused by workers who were forced to do an experiment even though they weren’t instructed. During the test, the fourth reactor got overheated, and it subsequently exploded. The radioactive elements were released into the air and formed a large nimbus. Numerous areas in Ukraine, Belarus and Russia got contaminated-leading to massive evacuation and resettlement of 200 000 inhabitants.
3. How to get to Chernobyl?
Chernobyl is located approximately 2 hours from Kyiv. You can enter the 30 km explosion zone only with a tourist agency complying the regulations. You should book your trip in advance, so they can register your personal details and get your tickets. Meeting point is in the city centre at 8 am. The prices differ depending on the number of visitors. However, you should be aware that a day trip to Chernobyl will cost around 100 USD.
We went to Chernobyl twice – both times with 20 years experienced agency SoloEast Travel. These professionals will answer all your questions, bring you to the most fascinating locations while making sure that your safety is one the first place. We were extremely contented with their service and undoubtedly recommend you going for the trip with them. Be aware that you can visit Chernobyl only if you are at least 18 years old and have a valid passport.
Our tip!
Visit Chernobyl as a group of friends! The more people, the better price!
4. Is the trip to Chernobyl safe?
Yes. You should not be worried at all. Tourist agencies have to follow routes with low levels of radiation. Just to imagine, one day in Chernobyl will expose your body with the same amount of radiation as one hour flight. Two checkpoints at the end of your trip will confirm that you are not radioactive.
5. What is included in a daytrip to Chernobyl? Which places will I visit?
The plan for your trip is flexible, depending on the number of visitors. The standard stops are town Chernobyl (you will eat lunch in a communist restaurant), radar Duga, new sarcophagus
that covers the exploded reactor 4 and town Pripyat.
Our trip started in a tiny village Zalezi – home of 3000 families before the accident. Besides a rebuilt church into a public house (Soviets were atheists), we paid attention to one of very few conserved house interiors from this era. The feeling of returning back in time to the year 1986 was emotional.
We moved to town Chernobyl. Out of the original 13 000 inhabitants remained only 60. Despite this, it is a quite active town – you can find shops, restaurants or museum here. We stopped at the cemetery of all 188 dead settlements – towns and villages which became abandoned after the catastrophe. After, we visited a monument built for Chernobyl heroes, firefighters. Then we saw the machines which cleaned the graphite waste from the roof of the exploded reactor. Some of them were originally designed as mine cleaners or moon landing machines.
A single road in the forest led us to radar Duga constructed in a secret area called Chernobyl 2 which did not exist on the map. This military base was mainly a home for engineers and soldiers attempting to detect American missiles before entering the Soviet Union. Nevertheless, there is no evidence that this 150 meters high and 500 meters wide radar has ever worked.
Shortstop next to Chernobyl nuclear power plant. Exploded reactor number 4 is covered with the sarcophagus.
Our final destination was abandoned town Pripyat. Even though the entrance to the buildings is prohibited, we’ve got an opportunity to visit the damaged hospital, cafe, sports arena or the house of culture (as you can see in SoloEast Travel video). The football stadium and famous amusement park were nicely visible from a drone. It was an absolutely different feeling to see the abandoned city surrounded by the forest.
6. What rules do you have to follow when visiting Chernobyl?
When you enter the 30 and 10 km exclusion zone, your tickets and passports will be checked by the police. You will also receive an apparatus which you have to wear for the whole trip. It measures the values of radiation your body is exposed. You have to wear long sleeve clothes and closed shoes. You cannot sit on the ground and place anything there. It is not allowed to consume any plants or fruits from the zone. You should not visit the buildings, and you must not touch any objects. Luckily, there are no restrictions on taking photos. But, if you intend to use your drone, you have to receive permission which costs 220 USD.
7. Is Chernobyl a touristic place?
Tourism has increased since HBO miniseries was released. When we first visited Chernobyl in March, we didn’t meet in Pripyat almost any tourists. During our next visit, there were many tourist groups. Our guide informed us that sometimes, this place can be visited by 800 people. We believe that this trend impacts the authentic atmosphere of the exclusion zone. However, if this experience sounds interesting for you, go ahead and visit Chernobyl as soon as possible. You will remember this trip for the rest of your life.
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