A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Bucharest vs. Kiev for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Bucharest or Kiev?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Bucharest and Kiev. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Bucharest or Kiev?

Bucharest

Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.

Kiev

Kiev is the capital city and also the largest city in the Ukraine, with a population of almost 3 million in the metropolitan area. It is situated on the Dnieper River in the north central part of the country and is one of the oldest cities in Eastern Europe, dating back to the fifth century. The people in Kiev are quite friendly and welcoming, and are happy to have you in their city. It can, however, be difficult to communicate and get around if you don't speak at least a little Russian. It is doable with a little sign language and the help of a guide book with translations though.


Deprecated: explode(): Passing null to parameter #2 ($string) of type string is deprecated in /homepages/12/d310477359/htdocs/citycomparison.php on line 2541

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.


Which place is cheaper, Kiev or Bucharest?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Bucharest is $175, while the average daily cost in Kiev is $29. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Bucharest and Kiev in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Bucharest $61
    Kiev $16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Bucharest $122
    Kiev $32
Compare Hotels in Bucharest and Kiev

Looking for a hotel in Bucharest or Kiev? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Bucharest


Hotels in Kiev


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Bucharest Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Bucharest $25
    Kiev $0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:

  • Express Roundtrip Transfer to Therme Bucuresti: $8.68
  • Therme Bucharest Express Shuttle Transfer: $15
  • Bucharest Private Airport Transfer from or to City Center Hotel: $21
  • Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Tecuci: $22
  • Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Barlad: $24
  • Bucharest Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Vaslui OMV: $26
  • Bucharest Private Airport Transfer: $26
  • Transfer from Otopeni Henri Coandă Airport to Bucharest or Back: $26
  • Bucharest Otopeni Airport OTP to Bucharest City Center Hotel - private transfer: $26
  • Private Bucharest Otopeni Airport transfers: $27
  • Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $28
  • Daimler Exclusive Trips And Transfers: $29

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:

  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $64
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV in Luxury Van: $58
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $58
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $58
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $53
  • Luxury Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
  • Luxury Arrival Transfer From Kyiv International Airport Zhuliany(IEV): $80
  • Luxury Departure Transfer To Kyiv International Airport Zhuliany(IEV): $80
  • Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $29
  • Private Arrival Transfer: International Airport Kyiv Zhuliany to Kiev hotel: $34
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Chernihiv city: $147
  • Private Departure Transfer: International Airport Kyiv Zhuliany from Kyiv Hotel: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Bucharest or Kiev?

Prices for flights to both Kiev and Bucharest change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Bucharest $98
    Kiev $12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.

  • Dinner &tour at Museum of Communism after closing: $49
  • Dinner at the Museum of Communism & tour after closing: $51
  • 5 Premium Wine Tasting with Delightful Dinner,incl Sommelier: $71
  • Bucharest Historical Food Tour in Old Center: $79
  • Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $79
  • Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $82
  • Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $83
  • Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $92
  • Private Bucharest Food Tour with a Local Foodie: $124
  • 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $195
  • Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $219

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kiev

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kiev.

  • Kyiv Restaurant Food Tour: Ukrainian Cuisine Tasting: $108
  • Cooking master class: $226

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Bucharest $14
    Kiev $1.90

Tours and Activities in Bucharest

Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bucharest Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $4.20
  • Bucharest 1989 Revolution Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.08
  • Bucharest 1989 Revolution Walking Tour with Smartphone App: $6.19
  • Entry ticket at the Museum of Communism: $8.37
  • Museum of Senses Entry Ticket: $8.84
  • Museum of Communism Ticket with Communist Coffee: $9.29
  • Reptiland Bucharest Entry Ticket: $10
  • Life in Communist Quest Experience: $10
  • Ghost Hunt Quest Experience: $10
  • Alternative Bucharest Walking Tour: $11
  • Peles Castle, Bran Castle, & Brasov Old Town Tour: $14
  • Bucharest Old Centre Tour: $15

Tours and Activities in Kiev

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:

  • Memories of a Revolution: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Kyiv: $6.22
  • 2 Hours Kyiv Street Art Tour : $28
  • Underground Tunnels Exploration Tour: $32
  • Kiev guided walking tour: discover highlights and hidden gems of the capital: $32
  • Private Ukrainian Street Art Tour in Kiev: $33
  • Sightseeing City Tour: $36
  • The Best Full Kiev Walking Tour: $36
  • NightLife Kyiv Tour: $36
  • Kyiv Old Town Private Walking Tour: $37
  • 2 Hours Private Walking Tour to Kiev Pechersk Lavra : $37
  • Kiev Pechersk Lavra Tour: $40
  • 2 hours Private Walking Tour in Ancient Kiev: $40

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Bucharest $8.93
    Kiev $5.95

Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest

Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
  • Romanian Wine Tasting Experience at Corks: $31
  • Bachelor Party Custom Bar Crawl: $36
  • Bucharest Guided Pub Crawl: $37
  • Bar Crawling: $42
  • Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $45
  • Private Wine Tasting Experience: $54
  • Pub Crawling in Style to the Most Fancy Bars, Drinks Incl.: $57
  • Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $58
  • Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
  • Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $82
  • Wine Tasting and Cheese Platter, Along with Expert Sommelier: $87

Sample the Local Flavors in Kiev

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kiev:

  • Kiev Bar Crawl - Private Nightlife Tour: $47
  • Private Tour To Chernihiv Brewery With Beer Tasting (City Tour Included): $185


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Bucharest and Kiev, we can see that Bucharest is more expensive. And not only is Kiev much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiev would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiev and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest than you might in Kiev.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Bucharest Expensive? and Is Kiev Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Bucharest or Kiev?

Kiev has a larger population, and is about 34% larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Bucharest and Kiev, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Bucharest or Kiev?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiev in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Bucharest and Kiev. Many travelers come to Bucharest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Bucharest is around the same temperature as Kiev. Typically, the summer temperatures in Bucharest in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Kiev averages at about 21°C (70°F).

In July, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Kiev. Bucharest gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Bucharest 23°C (73°F) 
    Kiev 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiev in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Bucharest as well as Kiev. Many visitors come to Bucharest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In October, Bucharest is generally a little warmer than Kiev. Daily temperatures in Bucharest average around 13°C (55°F), and Kiev fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Bucharest usually gets less rain in October than Kiev. Bucharest gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Bucharest 13°C (55°F) 
    Kiev 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiev in the Winter?

Both Kiev and Bucharest are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Kiev can be very cold. Bucharest can be very cold during winter. Bucharest is much warmer than Kiev in the winter. The daily temperature in Bucharest averages around -1°C (29°F) in January, and Kiev fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

In January, Bucharest usually receives less rain than Kiev. Bucharest gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Bucharest -1°C (29°F) 
    Kiev -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Bucharest or Kiev in the Spring?

Both Kiev and Bucharest during the spring are popular places to visit. The spring months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the activities around the city.

In the spring, Bucharest is a little warmer than Kiev. Typically, the spring temperatures in Bucharest in April average around 12°C (54°F), and Kiev averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Bucharest usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kiev. Bucharest gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Bucharest 12°C (54°F) 
    Kiev 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Kiev and Bucharest

Bucharest Kiev
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -1°C (29°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -4°C (24°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 1°C (34°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) -3°C (27°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 6°C (43°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 12°C (54°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 10°C (51°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 18°C (64°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 21°C (70°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 18°C (65°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 13°C (55°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (49°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 6°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 3°C (38°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Dec 1°C (34°F) 43 mm (1.7 in) -1°C (30°F) 52 mm (2 in)