Chernobyl has been open for visits since 2010. Is it safe to visit Chernobyl? Yes. Is it worth it? Definitely.
Some illegal explorers come in on foot at night, wading across the Uzh river, climbing barbed-wire fences, and walking 40km to Pripyat. It will be a bit easier for you on a comfortable tour bus.
Most tours are day trips out of Kiev. It is a 2 hour drive from Kiev to Pripyat. Access to the exclusion zone is tightly controlled and you will need to travel with an authorised tour guide. You can’t simply rent a car and drive to the zone. Some trips include an overnight stay at a small hotel inside the zone, but there is a curfew at the hotel and you will not have freedom to just wander about at night.
If you want to know what it’s like to visit Chernobyl, here’s our trip report. There are also some great books and videos to get you in the mood, and a detailed guide to visiting Chernobyl.
Now, let’s take a look at the best Chernobyl tours.
Contents
Private Chernobyl Tours
One day Chernobyl Tours
Two day Chernobyl Tours
Extended Tours
Explore! offer a complete guided tour of Kiev and Chernobyl over a long weekend. The five day Discover Chernobyl Tour starts at £699 including accommodation, meals, guided walking tours and excursions, and can also be booked including flights. It runs several times a month through most of the year.
Picking a Chernobyl tour
There are a few things to consider when you choose your tour. If you want to go at your own pace, choose where to spend your time, and avoid other tourists, then you should choose a private tour. If you prefer a more leisurely time or aren’t so keen on car travel, then the 2 day tours are for you.
Be sure to check a few things before booking:
- What’s the group size?
- What is included?
- What is an extra cost?
- How flexible is the booking? Can you cancel? Is it a guaranteed trip?
Be sure to check our other articles before planning your trip to Chernobyl.
