Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Kiev or Istanbul?
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 Istanbul can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or Istanbul?
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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26Istanbul $126
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $126. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17Istanbul $47
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34Istanbul $94
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Istanbul? 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: Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03Istanbul $55
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Ferry$0.09
-
Local Bus$0.09
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Princes' Islands Tour with Lunch and Transfers: $13
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Hotels to Istanbul Cruise Port: $19
- Istanbul City to Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (SAW)-Departure Private Transfer: $20
- Airport - Otel Transfer and City Tours: $20
- Private One-Way New Istanbul Airport Transfer To/From Istanbul: $21
- Istanbul Hotels to Istanbul Ataturk Airport (ISL) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Istanbul Airport (SAW) to Istanbul - Arrival Private Transfer: $22
- Istanbul to Istanbul Airport (SAW) - Departure Private Transfer: $22
- Istanbul Airport Private Transfers: $22
- Princes' Islands Cruise w/Music, Lunch & Transfer: $24
- Istanbul Airport VIP/ULTRA VIP Transfer, Free WIFI: $25
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Hotels to Istanbul Cruise Port: $26
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 dayKiev $7.23Istanbul $31
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
Typical Food Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Juice$0.06
-
Turkish Delight$0.02
-
Dessert$0.26
-
Pastries$0.05
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Turkish Night Show from Istanbul: $16
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Show with Private Table: $17
- Dinner Cruise and Entertainment with Private Table: $17
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise , Unlimited Drinks, & Show: $21
- Bosphorus Luxury Catamaran Cruise with Dinner Show: $25
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $26
- Bosphorus Boat Cruise with Dinner & Entertainment: $27
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Unlimited Drinks and Shows: $28
- Dinner Cruise Bosphorus with Hotel Transfer: $28
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Turkish Night Show: $29
- Half Day Sunset Luxury Yacht Dinner Cruise Tour in Istanbul: $29
- 3 Hour Ottoman Dinner Cruise in Istanbul : $29
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.03Istanbul $79
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
-
Bosphurus Boat (for 2)$0.62
-
Yerebatan Cistern for Two$0.62
-
Museum of Turkish and Islamic Arts for Two$0.31
-
Hagia Sofia entrance$0.93
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- App self-guided tours Istanbul with multilingual audioguide: $2.14
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Tour with Audio Guide in your smartphone: $5.35
- Highlights Self Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.35
- Hagia Sophia Exclusive Digital Audio Guided Tour: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Istanbul Outdoor Escape Game: The Royal Adventure: $7.08
- Istanbul in a day: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Daytime or Sunset Sightseeing Cruise & Audio Guide: $8.06
- Hippodrome and Blue Mosque Guided Tour: $8.73
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Audio Guide: $9.62
- The Royal Adventure Highlights Exploration Game: $11
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.37Istanbul $15
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 Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Pub Crawl Big Nightout . Rooftop parties,party Bus & Nightlife: $22
- Istanbul 7-Hour Pub Crawl: Big Night Out: $27
- Famous Istanbul Pub Crawl #1 Nightlife Experience: $27
- Party Pub Crawl with Party Bus: $29
- Wine Tasting Experience in Istanbul : $50
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $80
- 2-Day Wine Tasting Tour along the Thracian Wine Route: $180
- Istanbul Private Wine Tasting Tour Through 3 City Wineries : $245
- Istanbul Private and Guided, Food and Wine Tasting Tour: $430
- Luxury Wine Tasting on a Private Yacht: $844
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and Istanbul, we can see that Istanbul 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 Istanbul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Istanbul 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 Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kiev. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Istanbul, 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 Istanbul?
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 Istanbul in the Summer?
Both Istanbul and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Istanbul for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Kiev is cooler than Istanbul. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiev in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Istanbul averages at about 24°C (74°F).
In July, Kiev usually receives more rain than Istanbul. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Istanbul in the Autumn?
Both Istanbul and Kiev during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Istanbul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Kiev is generally much colder than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (49°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Kiev usually gets less rain in October than Istanbul. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Istanbul in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Istanbul. Furthermore, most visitors come to Istanbul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kiev can get quite cold in the winter. Kiev is much colder than Istanbul in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around -4°C (24°F) in January, and Istanbul fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
In January, Kiev usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Istanbul in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Istanbul. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Kiev is cooler than Istanbul. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiev in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Istanbul averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Kiev usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Istanbul. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Kiev
| Kiev | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
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.