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

Should you visit Kiev or Karlovy Vary?

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 Karlovy Vary can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kiev or Karlovy Vary?

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.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.


Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary is $81. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiev $17
    Karlovy Vary $39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiev $34
    Karlovy Vary $78
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Karlovy Vary

Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary


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: Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiev $1.03
    Karlovy Vary $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:

  • Private Transfer Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Zhytomyr.: $173
  • Strategic Missile Forces Base: Round-Trip Transfer from Kyiv& Museum Guided Tour: $145
  • Luxury Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $67
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $67
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $60
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $60
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP in Business Car: $60
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Business Car: $60
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $60
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $60
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Karlovy Vary

Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
  • Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
  • Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Karlovy Vary?

Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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
    Karlovy Vary $26

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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiev $2.03
    Karlovy Vary $12

Tours and Activities in Kiev

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

  • "Kiev Private 6 Hour Food, History & Nightlife Tour": $92
  • 1- or 3-Hour Private Kyiv Guided Bike Tour: $56
  • 2 Hours Kyiv Street Art Tour : $32
  • 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Lviv from Kiev by Intercity Train: $224
  • 2-days Group Tour To The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: $279
  • 3-Day Small-Group Highlights Tour of Kyiv: $279
  • Adventure City Center Tour : $120
  • Best Kyiv Architecture tour, city from a height: $70
  • Borodyanka, Bucha, Irpin, Banksy & More Graffiti Tour: $180
  • Chernobyl Exclusion Zone 1-day tour: $97
  • Chernobyl Tour with Gift : $107
  • Custom Kyiv Walking Tour with Private Local Guide: $28

Tours and Activities in Karlovy Vary

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.

  • Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
  • Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
  • Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
  • Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
  • Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
  • Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
  • Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
  • A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
  • Private Walking Tour: $227
  • LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
  • Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
  • Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiev $6.37
    Karlovy Vary $6.54

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


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


Which is Bigger, Kiev or Karlovy Vary?

Kiev has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kiev or Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Karlovy Vary.

In the summer, Kiev is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiev in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).

Kiev usually gets more rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiev 21°C (70°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

Both Karlovy Vary and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In October, Kiev is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (49°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In October, Kiev usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiev 10°C (49°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

Both Karlovy Vary and Kiev during the winter are popular places to visit.

Karlovy Vary can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiev. Kiev is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around -4°C (24°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Kiev usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiev -4°C (24°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Karlovy Vary.

In the spring, Kiev is around the same temperature as Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiev in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In April, Kiev usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiev 10°C (51°F) 
    Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Kiev

Kiev Karlovy Vary
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (24°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 1°C (33°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (50°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 11°C (51°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 3°C (38°F) 51 mm (2 in) 6°C (43°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Dec -1°C (30°F) 52 mm (2 in) 2°C (35°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)