Travel question: What’s the best way to take out money in Ukraine?

Have a question? Ask our expert Simon Calder

The capital Kiev is at its most cheerful in May (AP)

Q I am visiting Kyiv next weekend, but noticed I can’t exchange currency before I go. Would you recommend taking sterling and exchanging when I get there, or just withdrawing from a cash machine whilst there? I get free overseas withdrawals.

Name withheld

A An excellent choice to be in the fascinating Ukrainian capital in May, when the city will be looking at its freshest and loveliest. Kyiv (or Kiev as some still spell it) is a much-overlooked city that, thankfully, is much cheaper and easier to reach now that Ryanair flies from Manchester and Stansted, in competition with Wizz Air from Luton (not to mention British Airways from Heathrow and Ukraine International from Gatwick). All other things being equal, which they almost never are, I prefer Wizz Air because it serves the close-in Zhulyany airport rather than the more distant Borispol.