Taxis
Private cars and taxis swarm the city streets. To hail a car, stand near the road and put your hand out and a car will stop. Private cars, meaning locals who have cars and sometimes act as taxi drivers, cost significantly less than taxis. Be wary of getting in a private car with more than one person already in it. Although this is the most common way besides public transport of getting a ride, be careful and use common sense. Most drivers do not follow many traffic laws and usually do not speak English. Set the price before getting in. Two hryvnas is the standard rate for a 5 to 10 minute trip within the inner city. For a 15 to 20 minute trip out to the suburbs four hryvnas should be sufficient.
Trolleys/Buses
A bus, trolley bus and tram system exists. These tend to be crammed tight with people, but are a cheap way to travel around Odessa. Service is slow and waits for vehicles are long. Prices range from free to 1 hryvna. You pay the driver on the way out of the vehicle.
Driving
Driving in Odessa can be a hazardous experience, but understanding the rules of the road will be helpful to visitors who are both driving and riding.
If you plan to consume any alcohol, use public transport or designate a driver. Ukraine is a zero-tolerance country and punishment will be quickly levied on offenders. Do not expect the luxury of a breathalizer test. Traffic police will make the decision to charge you based only on the smell of your breath. DAI, the traffic police, are easily recognizable. They wear dark gray or blue uniforms and carry black and white batons with which they wave to order you to pull over. To avoid complications, it is recommended that you do so. If you are stopped for a minor violation and fined a minimal amount, it is easiest to pay on the spot, but be sure to ask for a receipt.
Most international driving rules apply in Odessa. However, beware that most locals fail to follow many driving laws. Officially, speed limits are set at 60 kph/37 mph in cities, 90 kph/56 mph in unpopulated areas, and 120 kph/72 mph on highways. At intersections, the vehicle on the right has the right of way. You cannot turn right on red lights. Observe lane designations carefully, it may be necessary to turn right and make a U-turn in order to turn left.
It is important to be on the lookout for tram tracks and unmarked construction, particularly at night. Be forewarned that street names are often hard to find from a car window. They are posted on buildings and spelled in Cyrillic, so it may be helpful to translate a map into Ukrainian before getting out on the road.
Parking in Odessa is as difficult as in any other European city. To insure the safety of your car, park in designated areas. State-owned parking lots are located all over the city and have varying price depending on the location of the lot.
