Which place is cheaper, Chicago or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiev or Chicago?
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 Chicago can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or Chicago?
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.
Chicago
Located in the Midwest, Chicago is the third largest city in the United States. It has a population of almost 3 million and a metropolitan area that covers more than 10,000 square kilometers. It is also a hub for music, comedy and theater. It's skyline is beautiful with modern skyscrapers and Lake Michigan as a backdrop. It is easy to stay entertained in Chicago for weeks. There are world class museums, upscale or eclectic shopping opportunities, and impressive architecture.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, and The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26Chicago $288
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in Chicago is $288. 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 Chicago in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17Chicago $198
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34Chicago $396
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Chicago
Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Chicago? 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.
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: Chicago Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03Chicago $37
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- 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: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $67
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $55
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $61
- Luxury Departure Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Chernihiv city: $147
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Chicago
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Chicago:
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Parking$19
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Taxi Ride$10
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Taxi from Airport$45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chicago
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chicago:
- Chicago O´Hare International Airport Private Transfer One-Way: $27
- Airport transfer between Chicago O'Hare and Milwaukee: $38
- Private Arrival Transfer from Chicago Airports ORD Or MDW: $50
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago hotel/address - Arrival Private Transfer: $52
- Chicago to Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD): Departure Transfer: $57
- Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD) to Arrival Private Transfer: $57
- Chicago to Chicago Airport (MDW) - Departure Private Transfer: $58
- Chicago Midway Airport (MDW) to Chicago -Arrival Private Transfer: $58
- ORD Airport Private Transfer to/from Chicago: $81
- Private one-way airport transfer O'Hare Airport to/from Chicago : $86
- Private Transfer Chicago to Chicago Airport by Luxury Car or SUV: $87
- MDW Airport Private Transfer to/from Chicago: $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Chicago?
Prices for flights to both Chicago 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
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Food Meals for one dayKiev $7.25Chicago $49
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
- Kyiv Restaurant Food Tour: Ukrainian Cuisine Tasting: $113
- Private Gastro/Food Tour In Kyiv : $144
- Cooking master class: $226
Typical Food Prices in Chicago
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Chicago:
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Dinner for 1$24
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Dinner for 3$118
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chicago
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chicago.
- Traveling Spoon Chicago-Style Deep Dish Pizza Private Online Cooking Class : $40
- Downtown Pizza Guided Walking Tour with Tastings: $58
- Chicago's Delicious Donut Adventure and Walking Food Tour: $63
- Chicago Small Group Food Tour: $69
- Lake Michigan Gourmet Brunch/Lunch/Dinner Cruise: $72
- Chicago Pizza Tour: $75
- Chicago Deep Dish Pizza Self-Guided Tour: $75
- Chicago Bucktown-Wicker Park Pizza Crawl: $79
- Chicago West Loop Pizza Crawl: $79
- Downtown Family Food Tour by Bike with Sightseeing: $80
- Nitti's Supper Club Dinner and Show: $80
- Lake Michigan Buffet Brunch, Lunch or Dinner Cruise: $86
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.04Chicago $47
Tours and Activities in Kiev
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:
- Underground Tunnels Exploration Tour: $34
- Kyiv Underground Tour: $35
- Panoramic Kyiv by Night Driving Tour with Private Guide: $38
- Kyiv Podil District Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $38
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour to Kiev Pechersk Lavra : $39
- Private Street Art Walking Tour with Local Guide - Best of Kyiv Murals: $39
- Sunrise in Kyiv Private Tour: $39
- Kyiv Metro Private Tour – Highlights of the Subway Stations: $39
- Soviet Kiev - 2 hours Walking Tour: $42
- Kiev Open Tour - History & Modern Life in 3 hours: $43
- Mysteries of Baikove Cemetery Private Guided Tour: $45
- Kiev Best Sights Private Half-Day Tour : $46
Typical Entertainment Prices in Chicago
Here are a few typical costs in Chicago for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Sears Tower (family of 4)$102
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Aquarium for 4$118
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Water Taxi (family of 4)$22
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IMAX Movie for Two$35
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Shakespeare Play (2)$116
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Art Institute (2)$36
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U-Boat Tour (2)$8.00
Tours and Activities in Chicago
Here are a few actual costs in Chicago for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Discovering Chicago with Walking In App Audio Tour: $6.00
- Haunted Sites Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $6.50
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Chicago’s Ragtime & Jazz Eras: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Vice, Crime and Gangsters in A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- Must-Sees & Hidden Gems In-App Audio Tour (ENG): $9.00
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket: $9.25
- Chicago White Sox Baseball Game Ticket at Guaranteed Rate Field: $9.32
- App Chicago self-guided tours with multilingual audioguides: $9.69
- Millennium Park Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Riverwalk Self-Guided Walking Tour: $9.99
- Scavenger Hunt Adventure Self-Guided City Game: $10
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Free Things to Do in Chicago, Chicago Bucket List: The Best Places to See, and The Best Museums in Chicago.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.40Chicago $25
Sample the Local Flavors in Kiev
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kiev:
- Kiev Pub Crawling | Private Beer Tasting Tour: $77
- Speakeasy Bar Crawl: $135
Sample the Local Flavors in Chicago
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chicago:
- Malt Row Walking Brewery Tour: $30
- Walking tour to Chicago dive bars: $41
- Chicago Craft Brewery Barrel Bus Tour: $100
- Craft Brewery Tour by Barrel Bus: $100
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and Chicago, we can see that Chicago is more expensive. And not only is Kiev much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Kiev is in Europe and Chicago is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Chicago would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chicago 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 Chicago Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or Chicago?
Chicago has a larger population, and is about 13% larger than the population of Kiev. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Chicago, 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 Chicago?
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 Chicago in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Chicago. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Chicago this time of year.
Kiev is cooler than Chicago in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Chicago fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
Chicago receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kiev usually receives less rain than Chicago. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)Chicago 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Kiev or Chicago in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Chicago. Additionally, many travelers come to Chicago for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kiev is cooler than Chicago. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiev in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Chicago averages at about 56°F (14°C).
Kiev usually gets less rain in October than Chicago. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)Chicago 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Kiev or Chicago in the Winter?
Both Chicago and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Chicago in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
Chicago can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiev. In January, Kiev is generally around the same temperature as Chicago. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around -4°C (24°F), and Chicago fluctuates around 25°F (-4°C).
In January, Kiev usually receives around the same amount of rain as Chicago. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 1.9 inches (47 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)Chicago 25°F (-4°C)
Should I visit Kiev or Chicago in the Spring?
Both Chicago and Kiev during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Chicago for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Kiev is around the same temperature as Chicago in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Chicago fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
Chicago gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kiev usually gets less rain in April than Chicago. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Chicago receives 4.3 inches (108 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)Chicago 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Chicago and Kiev
| Kiev | Chicago | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.9 inches (47 mm) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.4 inches (35 mm) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 41°F (5°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.3 inches (108 mm) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 73°F (23°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3.5 inches (90 mm) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 44°F (7°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 31°F (-1°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.