• Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Live and Let's Fly
  • Home
  • Reviews
    • Flight Reviews
    • Hotel Reviews
    • Lounge Reviews
    • Trip Reports
  • About
    • Press
  • Contact
  • Privacy
  • Award Expert
  • Advertising Disclosure
Home  >  Ukraine 2023 Trip Report  >  My “Luxury” Bus Ride From Kyiv To Warsaw Is Off To A Rough Start…
Ukraine 2023 Trip Report

My “Luxury” Bus Ride From Kyiv To Warsaw Is Off To A Rough Start…

Matthew Klint Posted onFebruary 27, 2023February 26, 2023 33 Comments

This week I’m “liveblogging” my trip to Ukraine. Unlike traditional reports, these posts will be shorter and more frequent.


I made the mistake of taking the bus company (Prosto Bus Plus) at its word. The joke is on me as my bus ride from Kyiv to Warsaw is not shaping up to be what I thought…especially since we keep pulling into fix-it shops…

Bus Trip From Kyiv To Warsaw Is Off To A Flying Start

One reason I chose to take a “Prosto Bus” to Warsaw versus the train to Chisinau was that the bus advertised:

  • generous legroom
  • Wi-Fi
  • onboard restroom
  • 220-volt power ports
  • hot drinks

I wasn’t convinced that legroom would actually be generous or that the wi-fi would be functional, but I did expect there would be power plugs and a restroom onboard.

So at 2:20 pm I traveled to the Kyiv Central Bus Station ahead of my 3:00 pm departure to Warsaw and arrived at the station around 2:35 pm. There were no departure boards and my ticket did not list a departure berth, but with the help of some kind young people, I found my bus.

A driver was checking names off a manifest and my name was on it. He checked my passport, though when he saw it was a US passport he waived me onboard without even looking at it.

The bus, by the way, advertised all the amenities I mentioned above on the outside of the bus as well:

But stepping onboard, any guesses as to what I found?

  • tight legroom
  • no Wi-Fi
  • no onboard restroom
  • no 220-volt power ports
  • no hot drinks

Bellissimo.

The only power onboard was a 5-volt USB-A charger in the overhead console that did not have enough juice to actually charge anything.

And can anyone tell me what this lovely splotch is on my curtain?

Thankfully, I came prepared with a power bank that could charge my laptop and my mobile phone (multiple times).

I had an assigned seat, but no one paid any attention to seat assignments – it was a free-for-all onboard.

I found a seat in the rear of the bus and the seat next to me remained open, which turned out to be a huge blessing. Legroom was brutal.

At 3:07 pm we pulled out of the station and began our long journey.

But less than 30 minutes later, we pulled over to the side of the highway. The driver and his relief (there were two drivers that took turns driving) spent the next 2o minutes jumping and kicking on one of the wheels.

I’m not sure what they were doing, but eventually, we took off again.

20 minutes later we pulled up to a fix-it shop (service garage) and stopped for a moment. I figured it was a flat tire, but the shop was closed and we took off again.

We drove for another hour and eventually stopped at another repair shop…only it was closed too. So we continued.

I have no idea what is wrong with our bus, but we are moving toward Poland…

Previous Article Conscientious Passenger Chows Down On “Smoky Ultimate BBQ Ribs” In Middle Seat
Next Article Bladders Of Steel On The Kyiv – Warsaw Bus

About Author

Matthew Klint

Matthew is an avid traveler who calls Los Angeles home. Each year he travels more than 200,000 miles by air and has visited more than 135 countries. Working both in the aviation industry and as a travel consultant, Matthew has been featured in major media outlets around the world and uses his Live and Let's Fly blog to share the latest news in the airline industry, commentary on frequent flyer programs, and detailed reports of his worldwide travel.

Related Posts

  • Kyiv Ukraine 2023 Photo Essay

    Photo Essay: Ukraine At War

    March 4, 2023
  • JetBlue A321 Mint Reverse Redeye Review

    Review: JetBlue A321 Mint “Reverse Redeye” New York – Los Angeles

    March 3, 2023
  • LOT Polish 787-8 Business Class Review

    Review: LOT Polish 787-8 Business Class Warsaw – New York

    March 2, 2023

33 Comments

  1. Mak Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 8:49 am

    Perhaps a good time to pipe in and say that I’ve enjoyed and appreciated this series of posts.

  2. Alex Cohen Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 8:58 am

    I’ve never commented here before but I gotta say…you travel to a literal war zone and your commentary is that the luxury bus wasn’t *luxury* enough…this is a parody, right?

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 10:22 am

      I’m not really upset – this is part of the travel adventure – but I hope you won’t excuse the literal bait and switch because it is a “war zone.”

      • JorgeGeorge Paez Reply
        February 27, 2023 at 2:31 pm

        Do you mean it was out of order or there was seats where the water closet was supposed to be?

        • Matthew Klint Reply
          February 27, 2023 at 2:33 pm

          There simply wasn’t a bathroom onboard.

  3. Ella Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 9:17 am

    American tourist leaves war zone, complains about leg room and power outlets on bus. Oh, and about a splotch on a curtain. Maybe you’re not cut out for disaster tourism, Matthew.

    • Stuart in Georgia Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 9:19 am

      He’s calling them as he sees them.

    • PolishKnight Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 10:23 am

      Slavs take their public transportation very seriously even during war time. My father-in-law’s tram in Odessa continues to run and the trains are also well maintained. It’s a pleasure to get around there for the most part although there sometimes are issues as Matt points out.

      That being said: war is awful and my wife was in tears as she served wounded veterans at church for the war anniversary. We appreciate his visit and helping to improve morale.

    • Juraj Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 10:57 am

      Oh, grow up.
      Just because the country is at war doesn’t mean that every single city is automatically an ‘active war zone’. If you read any of the previous posts, you’d know that by now.

      Also, it’s not like the Russians destroyed all the good buses and this is what’s left. See those bright green Flixbus coaches? Those do actually offer decent legroom, power ports and on-board restrooms, so you can’t really use the war as a valid argument. Sure, last-minutes equipment swaps do happen, but the operator should be transparent about that, especially for 15-hour journeys.

      • Ron Reply
        February 27, 2023 at 6:04 pm

        How can you be so clueless and dumb?

  4. Scott Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 9:29 am

    The splotch might be what’s left of the last American tourist to visit a war zone.

  5. Mitch Cumstein Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 9:32 am

    Are you considering legal action?

  6. Pat Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 9:52 am

    The trolls here are ridiculous. Just because there’s a war going on doesn’t excuse false advertising. The bathroom didn’t magically disappear because of Putin.

    Somebody considering this bus might now google the company, see this review, and know what the situation *really* is. I don’t understand why Matt’s contribution is a bad thing.

    • CS Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 11:25 am

      Really? You defend this nonsense spoiled American complaining about things in a fricken war zone?

      • Matthew Klint Reply
        February 27, 2023 at 1:09 pm

        I would invite you to read the whole series.

  7. Scotty Dee Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 10:27 am

    Any Bus company from Poland with real luxury Features on their buses will not risk driving to Kyiv.

  8. Greg Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 10:48 am

    Keep up the stories and updates. I find them fascinating. Bravo to you being there. Let’s hope some normalcy happens soon for all the folks that have suffered this past last year.

  9. Stuart Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 10:48 am

    Once again Secretary Pete has failed us in providing reasonable and reliable transport. Completely “intolerable.”

    • Pete Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 10:51 am

      I mean Kyle got his 140+ comments so mission accomplished.

      • cy Reply
        February 27, 2023 at 11:36 am

        yeah, its sad that the ultimate troll on this board is actually paid to post on weekends

    • T- Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 11:28 am

      Secretary Pete has nothing to do with this one silly. He’s not transportation secretary of the world.

      • Stuart Reply
        February 27, 2023 at 11:30 am

        You must be fun at parties.

    • MeanMeosh Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 11:36 am

      While I vehemently disagree with your politics, I have to admit this was funny. Thanks for the giggles on a Monday morning.

    • Billiken Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 1:33 pm

      Hah, @Stuart, you beat me to it!

  10. CS Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 11:22 am

    How is it that your where you should be all the time? You must have a fear of missing out on something, anything. A war zone? Really, who cares anymore where you’re off to.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 1:09 pm

      Says the person who left two comments.

  11. MeanMeosh Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 11:37 am

    I suppose I owe you an “oops”, seeing as I recommended you take the bus…

    • Mick Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 3:25 pm

      Tsk tsk. I recommended the train :))) buses are usually pretty awful for long haul imo.

      And meanmosh you’ve written some lovely train reviews!

      • MeanMeosh Reply
        February 27, 2023 at 10:26 pm

        Thank you…I do in fact enjoy train travel, though as you’ve likely gathered if you’re a reader of my site, I’m a full-on transportation geek and thought it would be fun to encourage Matt to experience a multi-modal adventure…

  12. Santastico Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 12:18 pm

    I remember my first and only trip on a Greyhound bus 20 years ago. No thank you!!!

  13. Mr G Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 6:10 pm

    Janet Yellen was just in Kiev and met with Zelensky. Perhaps some of the additional $1.2 Billion in US taxpayer money she promised can be used to purchase new buses? Ah never mind, it’s all being sent to the secret bank accounts in Switzerland.

  14. Andrew Reply
    February 27, 2023 at 8:25 pm

    The Polaris blanket is a nice touch for the lack of amenities.

    • Matthew Klint Reply
      February 27, 2023 at 8:33 pm

      Yes indeed. I love that blanket. Has traveled around the world me. It’s an old “Polaris First” blanket (white instead of gray) that was given to me when first class was phased out.

Leave a Reply

Cancel reply

Search

Ukrainian Trip Report

  1. First Stop, United Polaris Lounge LAX For Breakfast
  2. Review: United Airlines 787-10 Business Class Los Angeles – Chicago
  3. Review: United Airlines 767-300 Polaris Business Class Chicago – Zurich
  4. There’s A Pilot In My Seat!
  5. United Flight Attendant Demonstrates How Loyalty Is Won
  6. SWISS Alpine Lounge In Zurich Is Delectable
  7. The Language Enigma Of Switzerland
  8. Review: SWISS A320 Economy Class
  9. Public Transit In Warsaw: Bring Cash
  10. Abysmal Currency Exchange Rates At Warsaw Airport
  11. I Scored A Train Ticket To Kyiv!
  12. My 18-Hour Train Ride From Warsaw To Kyiv
  13. Air Raid Sirens In Kyiv
  14. Amidst War, A Thriving Coffee Culture In Kyiv
  15. *Sigh* I Left My Apple Watch On The Kyiv Express Train…
  16. Honest Ukraine: I Recovered My Lost Apple Watch!
  17. Renting A Car In Kyiv: My Experience With Budget
  18. My Extraordinary Road Trip In Ukraine
  19. Train To Chișinău Or Bus To Warsaw?
  20. Breakfast With Media And Mercenaries At Hyatt Regency Kyiv
  21. Review: Hyatt Regency Kyiv
  22. Sanctuary From Russian Bombs In A Kyiv Church Basement
  23. Banksy’s War Art In Ukraine
  24. A Ride On The Kyiv Metro
  25. Bladders Of Steel On The Kyiv – Warsaw Bus
  26. My Precious Seatmate Won’t Leave Me Alone!
  27. Mother Places Three-Year-Old In Overhead Bin So She Can Sleep
  28. War Does Not Excuse Rude Behavior (Wear Your Headphones, Please…)
  29. Cigarette Smuggling And Polish “Hospitality” At Border
  30. Late Arrival Creates Flight Dilemma In Poland

Recent Posts

  • United Airlines Adds Château d’Esclans Rosé Wine To Polaris Business Class March 23, 2023
  • United Airlines 737-700 Business Class Review
    Review: United Airlines 737-700 Business Class March 22, 2023
  • Southwest Airlines Helicopter
    Southwest Airlines Flight Nearly Collides With Helicopter March 22, 2023
  • Copa Club Bogota Review
    Review: Copa Club Bogota (BOG) March 22, 2023

Categories

Popular Posts

  • American Airlines unaccompanied Minor Predator
    American Airlines Flight Attendant Freaks Out After Man Offers His First Class Seat To Child February 25, 2023
  • Kayleigh Scott United Airlines
    The Tragic Death Of A United Airlines Flight Attendant March 21, 2023
  • United Airlines Polaris Lounge Chicago Review
    Review: United Polaris Lounge Chicago (ORD) February 21, 2023
  • There’s A Pilot In My Seat! February 21, 2023

Archives

March 2023
M T W T F S S
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
« Feb    

As seen on:

live_and_lets_fly

The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles The new United Polaris Lounge at Washington Dulles is the most beautiful of all Polaris Lounges. Stay tuned for a detailed look and many more photos on the blog tomorrow. Well done @united.
@malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire i @malaysiaairlines just announced it would retire its A380 fleet. While not surprising, it is sad to see the growing list of carriers retiring this superjumbo jet. On Malaysia Airlines, I flew the #A380 once from Kuala Lumpur (KUL) to London (LHR) and had the entire first class cabin to myself (full review on the blog). It was a beautiful flight that I will always remember.
Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited tha Welcome to @fly_bur @aveloair! I am so excited that a new carrier, Avelo, has launched, especially from an airport just 12 minutes from my home!
I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxair I greatly miss the @lufthansa #747-8 at @flylaxairport. Hopefully this summer it will return.

.
.
.
.
#Lufthansa #FirstClass #747 #747-8 #StarAlliance #Miles #Points
I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. I recently spent a weekend at the @ventanabigsur. This is not only a lovely, all-inclusive resort, but one of the best properties to use your @hyatt World of Hyatt points.
.
.
.
.
#Hyatt #BigSur #California #WorldofHyatt #CA-1 #Points #Hotels
In terms of a spacious first class product, the @E In terms of a spacious first class product, the @Emirates suite on a 777-300ER is hard to beat. My preference is Suite 2K.

.
.
.
.
#Emirates #777 #firstclass
Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from I Nearly five years ago, I took a “break” from Instagram ahead of the birth of my first child. Goodness, how time flies. While I’ve enjoyed catching up on others over the years, now it is time for me to return to Instagram. In this first post, I highlight two joys in my life, my two children, whom I trust will grow up to be prolific travelers that circumnavigate the globe as ambassadors of love and respect.

.
.
.
.
.

#travel #airplanes #airlines #miles #points #familytravel #human #integrity #honor
United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improv United Airlines' new Polaris seat is a huge improvement over UA's current business class seat. Check out my blog at liveandletsfly.com for 70+ photos of how @united is transforming its entire business class experience starting this December!
The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben! The perfect @flysas name tag for #Longyearben!
Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen - Spotted four #polarbear outside of #longyearbyen -- oh, and I love 40°F summer weather!
One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure One of the best crews I have ever had the pleasure of flying with in all my years of flying. Thank you @flysas SK940 on 11 Aug 2016
Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I a Next stop ARN! But dear @flysas , next time if I assign a window seat months in advance, don't move me to a center seat "for my convenience" with no way to get my original seat back... 😞
Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be rac Ready for #PIA from #MAN to #JFK -- we will be racing the #Delta flight to JFK at the gate next to us, which also departs at 12:45p. With @onemileatatime
Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregenc Another room with a beautiful view... #hyattregencycasablanca #cassablanca #hyatt
Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the i Enjoying #shanghai with @onemileatatime from the inside of the @grandhyatt_shanghai ... It is 40°C outside! 😓
From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minut From my front gate to my boarding gate in 15 minutes flat. I ❤️ #bur #burbankairport
@malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in se @malaysiaairlines #747 out of retirement and in service at #kul -- beautiful livery!
View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful bran View from my 61st floor room at the beautiful brand new @parkhyattguangzhou -- look for a full review coming soon on the blog #hyatt #parkhyatt #guangzhou #parkhyattguangzhou
Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, Will miss the @united #globalfirstlounge at #ord, which closes tomorrow and the Queen of the Skies #747 which will be retired in 2018.
The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. The colonial #architecture of #mumbai is stunning. If you're ever here, get up at 5am and have a walk around the city before it gets busy. You can hear the birds instead of honking horns.
Load More... Follow on Instagram
facebook twitter instagram rss

This site is for entertainment purposes only. The owner of this site is not an investment advisor, financial planner, nor legal or tax professional and articles here are of an opinion and general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances.

 

Advertiser Disclosure: Some links to credit cards and other products on this website will earn an affiliate commission. Outside of banner ads published through the Boarding Area network, this compensation does not impact how and where products appear on this site. While we do try to list all the best miles and points deals, the site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Please view our advertising policy page for additional details about our partners.

 

Editorial Disclosure: The editorial content on this page is not provided by any entity mentioned herein. Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.