Odessa, being the only city with a beach in Ukraine, you’ll feel the city is more expensive than the rest of Ukraine. But, there’s this Odessa Card (launched in 2017/2018) that helps you save some money!

Odessa Card (24h/48h/72h)

You have 3 options :

1. 24hr/400UAH (Current Price:600UAH)
2. 48hr/550UAH  (Current Price:800UAH)
3. 72hr/700UAH  (Current Price:900UAH)

*The count will start when you visit the 1st attraction. So if I start from 4PM, 24 hours means I can use this card until 4PM the next day.

Odessa Card: Which Attractions are Included?

There are 3 types of attractions: Museum, Excursions and Entertainment.  But it’s a better idea that you check with their website for latest updates (http://odessacard.com/?lang=en). The week I bought my card, dolphin show and Biopark were just added to Odessa Card.

I’ll skip the museums (each cost 30-50UAH only, so no point for using Odessa card for museums!)

You can take a eletric car ride, a boat ride on the Black Sea, a tour of the mysterious Odessa catacombs, or go to dolphin show or bio park.

However, please be aware that this is a new card. So the logistics still need to be worked out. For example, I went to sea walk, and there was no boat there. I went to the electric car, and was told “pay 100 each head if you want an English guide”.  It could get  confusing and tiring using this card  just for saving a few bucks. But things can change quickly.

Where to Purchase ODESSA CARD?

If you buy online, you get just a serial number. And you still need to go get your card in a store. So I went yo their official website to find the closest sales point. I went to FOUR places and they weren’t selling. It was very frustrating until I went to the department store on ТЦ Галерея “Афина”, Odesa. Get the ticket from the ticket office of UKT. The lady didn’t speak English, but she knew how to sell Odessa card to tourists at least.

How ODESSA CARD works?

Show your card to the ticket counter of the attraction you are visiting. They have a cool app in their phone and they will scan your card.  Pretty cool!

How I Used My 48hr ODESSA CARD

Day 0 – Sea Walk  (17:00)

Day 1 -Electric Car(10:00)(Expect to pay 100UAH per head for English guide) → Odessa Catacombs (you must pre-arrage. You can only visit at 14:00. Expect to pay 500UAH per group for English guide)→Cognac Museum*(18:00)

Day 2 – Biopark (10:00)→Dolphin show (Only at 12:00 or 15:00)

Day 0 At the Sea

Sea Walk (17:00)

Location：Search “Di Mare” Seafood restaurant. Go to deck 16

Timing：From 10:00 till 23:00 only from April to October! (no fixed schedule) Call Odessa card if you don’t see your boat ride here. They’ll fix it for you

Value：150 UAH 

Day 1 Electric Car + Catacombs

Electric Car (10:00)

Location：On the main road. So easy to find

Timing：From 10:00 till 20:00 Sendings excursions each 30 min.

Value：200 UAH (Expect to pay 100UAH per head for English Guide )

Odessa catacombs

Odessa city was built within five years. The city was built by limestone, and it was taken from underground. That is why you see tunnels underground. They call it catacombs not because there are tombs down here, but because the name sounds cool. The catacomb was used as a bomb shelter, prison, office, etc.  It’s A LOT OF FUN to be underground. Did anyone die here? For sure if you don’t come with a guide, you’ll be lost.

Address：3-Б, 2-y Rozumovs’kyi Ln, Odesa, Odessa Oblast, 65000

Timing：You can only book your tour for 14:00, expect to pay 500UAH/group for English guide

Value：250 UAH

Day 2  Biopark + Dolphin Show

Biopark (10:00)

The newest zoo in Odessa! But it’s really small. From the entrance to the windmill, that’s the total area of this biopark. You can finish touring in 30 minutes. Note that you’ll need uber to get you here. So maybe come here if you are with children.

Value：250 UAH

You can pay 200UAH to get on a safari. It runs hourly. The safari is small but you get a real close-up to lions! I think that’s pretty cool!

Odessa dolphinarium

I think Odessa’s dolphin trainers know ballet too, so they’ve been jumping in and out of the water like Superman. I had a lot of fu! The stage is small but that means a real close-up to dolphins! By the way when you get your tickets, seats are pre-assigned. So no need to rush when the gate opens.

Timing：Either at 12:00 or 15:00 (but looks like you’ll be in time for the 15:00 show)

Value：250 UAH

An epic piece from the show towards the end.

Final Review: ODESSA CARD

Personally, I think catacombs was the only “must see” in odessa. It’s creepy and unforgettable. Dolphin show was fun. So these two attractions cost you 500UAH. You don’t need a Odessa Card if these are the only two attractions you want to see.

Also, while it added up to 1100UAH in value to all the attractions I went with 48 hour Odessa card, the price increased from 550UAH to 800UAH. I don’t know if there will be discount in winter again, or if there will be more attractions working with Odessa Card in future.