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

Should you visit Kiev or Kiel?

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 Kiel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Kiev or Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel 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 Kiel is $148. 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 Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiev $17
    Kiel $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiev $34
    Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Kiel? 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 Kiel


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: Kiel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiev $1.03
    Kiel $58

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 Business Car: $60
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $67
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP in Business Car: $60
  • 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 Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $67
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $55
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $60
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $60
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $60
  • Luxury Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
  • Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel 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
    Kiel $41

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
    Kiel $20

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 Kiel

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

  • Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
  • Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
  • Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiev $6.37
    Kiel $13

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 Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Kiev or Kiel?

Kiev has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Kiel. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kiev is generally a little warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 21°C (70°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In July, Kiev usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiev 21°C (70°F) 
    Kiel 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Kiel. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Kiev is around the same temperature as Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Kiev usually gets less rain in October than Kiel. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiev 10°C (49°F) 
    Kiel 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Kiev in the winter. In the winter, Kiev is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiev in January average around -4°C (24°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In January, Kiev usually receives less rain than Kiel. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiev -4°C (24°F) 
    Kiel 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Kiev during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

In April, Kiev is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (51°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiev 10°C (51°F) 
    Kiel 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kiel and Kiev

Kiev Kiel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (24°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Mar 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 3°C (38°F) 51 mm (2 in) 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -1°C (30°F) 52 mm (2 in) 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)