Which place is cheaper, Kuala Lumpur or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiev or Kuala Lumpur?
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 Kuala Lumpur can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or Kuala Lumpur?
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.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur, often referred to as KL, is the cosmopolitan capital of Malaysia. It is also the largest city in the country, having grown out of a small Chinese mining village. Today Kuala Lumpur is a microcosm of the country of Malaysia. The population is split between the Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures which you can see reflected in the city's neighborhoods, cuisine, and entertainment. It's also an incredibly affordable city, even if you're looking for the comforts of a five star hotel or a luxury restaurant. Prices are almost always a fraction of what you would pay in Europe or the United States.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Malaysia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Malaysia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26Kuala Lumpur $62
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in Kuala Lumpur is $62. 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 Kuala Lumpur in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17Kuala Lumpur $36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34Kuala Lumpur $72
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Kuala Lumpur
Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Kuala Lumpur? 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: Kuala Lumpur Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03Kuala Lumpur $6.45
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- VIP Airport Transfer Service in Kiev: $43
- Strategic Missile Forces Base: Round-Trip Transfer from Kyiv& Museum Guided Tour: $146
- Private transfer: Boryspil International Airport to Kyiv: $48
- Private Transfer: From Kyiv city to Kyiv Boryspil International Airport : $37
- Private Transfer from Zhulyany (Kyiv International Airport) to Kyiv: $42
- Private Transfer Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Zhytomyr.: $173
- Private Departure Transfer To Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Chernihiv city: $147
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30
- Luxury Departure Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $61
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Taxi Ride$3.16
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Metro Ride (for Two)$0.68
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Short Taxi Ride$3.16
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Taxi From Airport$19
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Bus from Airport$1.69
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Train & Boat to Pulau Ketam$2.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kuala Lumpur
Also for Kuala Lumpur, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Kuala Lumpur Shared Attraction Transfers: $11
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer Services: $15
- Private Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $15
- PVT Departure Transfer <> Kuala Lumpur to KLIA 1/2: $17
- PVT Arrival Transfer<>KLIA 1/2 to Kuala Lumpur: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Departure Transfer: $17
- Kuala Lumpur Hotels to Sunway Lagoon Theme Park Transfer (1-way): $17
- Kuala Lumpur City to Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur Airport Transfer to Kuala Lumpur City: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Transfer : $18
- Kuala Lumpur Hotel to Airport Transfer: $18
- Kuala Lumpur International Airport Arrival Transfer: $18
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Kuala Lumpur?
Prices for flights to both Kuala Lumpur 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 $7.25Kuala Lumpur $15
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 Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner at Ding Tai Fung$8.44
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Roti Bread$0.21
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Food Court Lunch$3.04
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Dinner at Indian Restaurant (for Two)$4.54
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- ARAS Restaurant at KL Tower Buffet Dinner: $29
- Nightlife Street Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $43
- Malaysian Culture and Street Food Tour : $44
- Street Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Sambal Streets Kuala Lumpur Food Tour with 15+ Tastings: $49
- Kuala Lumpur Malaysian Cultural Night Experience with Buffet Dinner : $53
- From Kuala Selangor Fireflies Tour with Dinner: $53
- Best Local Food Tour by Night at Kuala Lumpur : $55
- Spiritual Healing and Authentic Cooking with Local Host: $61
- Kuala Lumpur by Night and Malaysian Food Tour: $61
- Eat Like a Local: Kuala Lumpur Hawker Center and Street Food Tour by Night: $62
- Petaling Street Heritage Food Tour: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.04Kuala Lumpur $13
Tours and Activities in Kiev
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:
- "Kiev Private Nightlife Tour" - Visit Secret Bars & Party with Locals: $53
- 1- or 3-Hour Private Kyiv Guided Bike Tour: $56
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour to Kiev Pechersk Lavra : $39
- 2-Day Small-Group Tour to Lviv from Kiev by Intercity Train: $225
- 2-days Group Tour To The Chernobyl Exclusion Zone: $279
- 3-Hour Kiev Private Gastro Tour: $88
- 3-Hour Kiev Street Art Private Tour: $53
- Adventure City Center Tour : $120
- Bohemian Podil Tour: $120
- Chernobyl Exclusion Zone 1-day tour: $98
- Chernobyl Tour with Gift : $107
- Discover Kyiv: The Most Complete 6 Hours Private Sightseeing Tour by car: $162
Typical Entertainment Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Kuala Lumpur's activities, tours, and tickets:
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KL Tower Admission (for Two)$9.49
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Canopy Walk at FRIM Forest Reserve$1.05
Tours and Activities in Kuala Lumpur
For Kuala Lumpur, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- KL Tower Admission E-Ticket with Options: $3.95
- Alive 3D Art Gallery Admission Ticket: $7.67
- Zoo Negara Instant Entry E-Ticket: $8.12
- Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $9.87
- KL Tower Observation Deck Entry Ticket: $11
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $12
- Kuala Lumpur's Cultural Highlights and Landmarks: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Berjaya Times Square Theme Park Entry Ticket: $13
- Malaysia: Aquaria KLCC Entry Ticket: $13
- KL Tower Admission Ticket: $13
- Suburbs and Batu Caves Half-Day Tour: $13
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.40Kuala Lumpur $6.25
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
Typical Alcohol Prices in Kuala Lumpur
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Kuala Lumpur are as follows:
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Bottle of Wine$9.49
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and Kuala Lumpur, we can see that Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur is in Asia, 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 Kuala Lumpur would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kuala Lumpur 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 Kuala Lumpur Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or Kuala Lumpur?
Kiev has a larger population, and is about 73% larger than the population of Kuala Lumpur. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Kuala Lumpur, 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 Kuala Lumpur?
Kiev has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Kuala Lumpur experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Kiev or Kuala Lumpur in the Summer?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Kiev during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Kuala Lumpur year-round.
In the summer, Kiev is cooler than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kiev in July average around 21°C (70°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
Kuala Lumpur gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kiev usually gets less rain in July than Kuala Lumpur. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Kuala Lumpur in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Kuala Lumpur. Kuala Lumpur attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
In October, Kiev is generally much colder than Kuala Lumpur. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (49°F), and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
Kuala Lumpur receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Kiev usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 280 mm (11 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Kuala Lumpur in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Kuala Lumpur. The warm climate attracts visitors to Kuala Lumpur throughout the year.
The weather in Kiev can be very cold. Kiev is much colder than Kuala Lumpur in the winter. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around -4°C (24°F) in January, and Kuala Lumpur fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).
It's quite rainy in Kuala Lumpur. Kiev usually gets less rain in January than Kuala Lumpur. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 239 mm (9.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)Kuala Lumpur 27°C (81°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Kuala Lumpur in the Spring?
Both Kuala Lumpur and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Kuala Lumpur because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the spring, Kiev is much colder than Kuala Lumpur. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kiev in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Kuala Lumpur averages at about 28°C (82°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Kuala Lumpur. In April, Kiev usually receives less rain than Kuala Lumpur. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Kuala Lumpur receives 240 mm (9.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)Kuala Lumpur 28°C (82°F)
Typical Weather for Kuala Lumpur and Kiev
| Kiev | Kuala Lumpur | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 239 mm (9.4 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 260 mm (10.2 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 240 mm (9.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 150 mm (5.9 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 160 mm (6.3 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 200 mm (7.9 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 280 mm (11 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 290 mm (11.4 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 27°C (81°F) | 250 mm (9.8 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.