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

Should you visit Kiev or Bratislava?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Kiev and Bratislava can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kiev or Bratislava?

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.

Bratislava

The capital and largest city of Slovakia, Bratislava is set on the shores of the Danube River near the borders of Austria and Hungary. While the city is skirted by mountains and vineyards, its 18th century old town center is crossed with cobbled walkways and surrounded by historic landmarks and architecture. One such monument is the Bratislava Castle, set atop a hill overlooking it all-the old town, the river, and the bustle of people in the charming city below.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Slovakia, and The Best River Cruises in Slovakia.


Which place is cheaper, Bratislava or Kiev?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in Bratislava is $130. 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 Kiev and Bratislava in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiev $17
    Bratislava $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiev $34
    Bratislava $106
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Bratislava

Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Bratislava? 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 Kiev


Hotels in Bratislava


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: Bratislava Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiev $1.03
    Bratislava $28

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:

  • Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv International Airport Zhuliany(IEV): $24
  • Private Departure Transfer To Kyiv International Airport Zhuliany(IEV): $24
  • Private Departure Transfer: International Airport Kyiv Zhuliany from Kyiv Hotel: $29
  • Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30
  • Zhyliany Airport Kyiv: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer from Kiev: $31
  • VIP Airport Transfer Service in Kiev: $43
  • Private Transfer: From Kyiv city to Zhulyany International Airport: $54
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $55
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV in Business Car: $55
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $60
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $60

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bratislava

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bratislava:

  • Airport to Hotel Private Transfer Service: $24
  • Bratislava Airport to Bojnice Resorts - Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Bratislava Airport to TurĨianske Teplice Arrival Private Transfer: $66
  • Private Direct Transfer From Bratislava to Vienna City Center: $87
  • Bratislava Airport BTS to Piestany Round Trip Private Transfer: $94
  • Private Transfer from Bratislava City to Vienna City: $98
  • Vienna Airport VIE to Bojnice Resorts Round Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • Bratislava Airport (BTS) to Bojnice Resorts - Round Trip Transfer: $131
  • Bratislava - Budapest Transfer: $199
  • Private Transfer from Bratislava to Budapest with 2h of Sightseeing: $202
  • Private transfer from Bratislava to Vienna: $263
  • Bratislava-Budapest One-Way Sightseeing Transfer: $295

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Bratislava?

Prices for flights to both Bratislava and Kiev 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
    Kiev $7.23
    Bratislava $48

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kiev

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

  • "Kiev Private Food Tour" - Taste the best Ukraine has to offer: $53
  • Ukrainian cooking master class − the tastiest master class in Kyiv: $103
  • Kyiv Restaurant Food Tour: Ukrainian Cuisine Tasting: $112
  • Private Gastro/Food Tour In Kyiv : $144
  • Cooking master class: $226

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bratislava

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

  • Local Beer & Food Tour: $142
  • Bratislava Traditional Food Tour: $169

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiev $2.03
    Bratislava $32

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
  • Custom Kyiv Walking Tour with Private Local Guide: $28
  • 2 Hours Kyiv Street Art Tour : $32
  • Underground Tunnels Exploration Tour: $34
  • Kiev guided walking tour: discover highlights and hidden gems of the capital: $34
  • Private Ukrainian Street Art Tour in Kiev: $35
  • Sightseeing City Tour: $35
  • Kyiv Podil District Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $38
  • Kyiv Old Town Private Walking Tour: $38
  • Panoramic Kyiv by Night Driving Tour with Private Guide: $38
  • Kiev Open Tour - History & Modern Life in 3 hours: $42
  • Kyiv Street Art Tour: $44

Tours and Activities in Bratislava

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Top experience walking tour with bonus and castle: $4.36
  • Bratislava Old Town In App Audio Tour (ENG): $5.43
  • City & Castle Tour - Introduction to Bratislava: $5.45
  • Historic City Centre Self-guided Tour: $6.31
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Bratislava Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self Guided Tour: $6.56
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
  • Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $6.95
  • Gallery Multium Entrance Ticket: $7.10
  • The jewels of Bratislava a Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiev $6.37
    Bratislava $20

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: $49

Sample the Local Flavors in Bratislava

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Bratislava:

  • Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
  • Quick Wine Tasting in Michalská: $11
  • Wine Tasting with Sommelier in Bratislava: $14
  • Wine Tasting with Sommelier: $15
  • Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $16
  • Wine Tasting IN THE DARK!: $21
  • Bratislava 3-Hour Wine Tasting: $104
  • Devin Castle Tour with Currant Wine Tasting: $144
  • Devin Castle Tour with Wine Tasting: $158
  • Bratislava Food and Wine Tour: $180
  • Little Carpathian Wine Tour: $201
  • 6-Hour Carpathian Wine Tour and Tasting: $209


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and Bratislava, we can see that Bratislava 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 Bratislava would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bratislava 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 Kiev Expensive? and Is Bratislava Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kiev or Bratislava?

Kiev has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Bratislava. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Bratislava, 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 Kiev or Bratislava?

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 Kiev or Bratislava in the Summer?

Both Bratislava and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bratislava because of the family-friendly experiences.

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

In July, Kiev usually receives more rain than Bratislava. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Kiev or Bratislava in the Autumn?

Both Bratislava and Kiev during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bratislava this time of year.

In October, Kiev is generally cooler than Bratislava. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (49°F), and Bratislava fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Kiev usually gets less rain in October than Bratislava. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiev 10°C (49°F) 
    Bratislava 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Bratislava in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Bratislava. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bratislava for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bratislava. It's quite cold in Kiev in the winter. Kiev is much colder than Bratislava in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around -4°C (24°F) in January, and Bratislava fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In January, Kiev usually receives more rain than Bratislava. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiev -4°C (24°F) 
    Bratislava 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Bratislava in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Bratislava. Additionally, many visitors come to Bratislava in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Kiev is cooler than Bratislava. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiev in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Bratislava averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Kiev usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Bratislava. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Bratislava receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiev 10°C (51°F) 
    Bratislava 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Bratislava and Kiev

Kiev Bratislava
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (24°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Mar 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 3°C (38°F) 51 mm (2 in) 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec -1°C (30°F) 52 mm (2 in) 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)