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

Should you visit Kiev or Rome?

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

Where Should I go: Kiev or Rome?

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.

Rome

Rome is the capital and largest city in Italy. It is also a common entry point for most visitors flying into the country. Rome has been a center of power, culture, and religion for the last millenium, making it one of the most famous and popular destinations in not only Europe, but the world. The influence of the Roman Empire can be seen across continents.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Italy, and The Best Budget Tours to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Rome 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 Rome is $182. 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 Rome in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Kiev $17
    Rome $95
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Kiev $34
    Rome $190
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Rome

Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Rome? 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 Rome


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: Rome Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Kiev $1.03
    Rome $23

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 Rome

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Rome:


  • Metro Ride (for Two)
    $2.14
  • Train to the Airport
    $16
  • Taxi to Airport
    $48
  • Bicycle Rental (Full Day)
    $11

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rome

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rome:

  • Shuttle Bus Transfer to or from Ciampino Airport: $6.46
  • Bus Transfer Between Airport and Rome Termini Station: $6.46
  • Shuttle Bus Transfer to or from Fiumicino Airport: $7.53
  • Transfer Fiumicino Airport - Rome center: $7.64
  • Transfer Rome center - Ciampino Airport: $7.64
  • Bus Transfer from Rome to Milan or Vice Versa: $11
  • Transfer from Termini Station to the Maximo Shopping Center: $15
  • Civitavecchia Port to/from Vatican City Bus Transfer: $16
  • Transfer between Fiumicino Airport and Rome Termini: $17
  • Ciampino Airport Rome (CIA) to Rome - Arrival Private Transfer: $26
  • Rome to Ciampino Airport Rome (CIA) - Departure Private Transfer: $26
  • Private Departure Transfer: Rome Hotels to Train Station: $28

Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Rome?

Prices for flights to both Rome 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 $7.25
    Rome $51

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 Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Rome:


  • Casual Lunch (for Two)
    $15
  • 4 Ice Cream Sandwiches
    $3.20
  • Cafe e doce
    $4.29
  • Pizza (Fast Food)
    $2.84
  • Sitdown Lunch (for Two)
    $34
  • Cheese and bread
    $11
  • Espresso
    $2.14
  • Dinner
    $62

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rome

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rome.

  • Award-Winning Roman Food Tours: $16
  • Eat Pasta in Rome, Testaccio - Self-Guided Walking Food Tour: $17
  • Vatican and Trionfale Farmers Market Food tour and Wine tasting : $32
  • Vatican Street Food Tour around the Biggest Fresh Market in Rome: $32
  • Roman Master Chef Cooking Class with Wine: $37
  • Roman Dinner & History Tour: An Epic Journey Through Time: $37
  • Tasty Trionfale Farmers Market Food Tour and Local Wines Tasting: $38
  • Campo dei Fiori & Jewish Ghetto area Street Food Tour: $42
  • Rome Food Tour : Street Food Testings with Local Guide: $43
  • Painting and Pizza Party in Rome: $43
  • Pub Crawl and Ultimate Party with Open Bar and Pizza: $43
  • Tiber River Urban Rafting Tour with Roman Pizza: $43

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Kiev $2.04
    Rome $39

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 Rome

Here are a few typical costs in Rome for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Rome Museum Vaticano (for 2)
    $74
  • Coliseum Tickets (for Two)
    $35
  • Roma Pass
    $32
  • Hop on Hop Off Bus (All Day)
    $21
  • Segway Tour
    $80

Tours and Activities in Rome

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

  • Cambridge: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Bergamo Old Town: Discovery Walk & Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
  • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.26
  • Shared 4 Hours Guided tour of the House of the Emperor Hadrian: $5.11
  • Private Audio Guided Walking Tour in Rome: $5.34
  • Bergamo Old Town: City Exploration Game and Tour: $5.38
  • Rome Walking Tour Including the Pantheon and Trevi Fountain: $5.45
  • Jewish Ghetto and Trastevere Tour Rome: $5.45
  • Vatican Night Tour - Rome: $5.45
  • Twilight Treasures: An Evening Tour Through Rome's Rich History: $5.45
  • Civitavecchia's Stories and Secrets: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.50
  • An insider's look at A Self-Guided Audio Tour : $5.61

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Kiev $6.40
    Rome $19

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 Rome

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rome:


  • Bottle of Wine
    $6.96
  • Pint of Beer
    $6.79
  • Beer
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in Rome

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Rome:

  • Cabaret & Burlesque Show: $32
  • Vatican Street Food and Wine Tour with Farmers Market: $38
  • The Best Wine Tasting in Trastevere with food pairing and Gelato: $49
  • Bar Crawl with Local Guide & Drinks: $53
  • Roman Night Life and Burlesque Show Tour: $54
  • Wine Tour in Historic Center of Rome: $55
  • Agricultural Brewery Tour in the Roman Countryside: $55
  • Small-Group Exclusive Winery and Wine Tasting Tour in Frascati: $60
  • Pasta Making Class & Wine Tasting in a Trasteve Villa: $68
  • E-Bike Night Tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $69
  • Rome by Night-Ebike tour with Food and Wine Tasting: $70
  • Taste of Tuscany: Food & Wine tour with Florentine Steak: $74


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


Which is Bigger, Kiev or Rome?

Rome has a larger population, and is about 2% larger than the population of Kiev. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Rome, 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 Rome?

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 Rome in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Rome. Furthermore, many visitors come to Rome in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kiev is cooler than Rome in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and Rome fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In July, Kiev usually receives more rain than Rome. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Rome receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Kiev 21°C (70°F) 
    Rome 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Rome in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Rome. Additionally, most visitors come to Rome for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Kiev is much colder than Rome. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiev in October average around 10°C (49°F), and Rome averages at about 17°C (63°F).

Kiev usually gets less rain in October than Rome. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rome receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Kiev 10°C (49°F) 
    Rome 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Rome in the Winter?

Both Rome and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rome because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiev can be very cold during winter. In January, Kiev is generally much colder than Rome. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around -4°C (24°F), and Rome fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In January, Kiev usually receives less rain than Rome. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Kiev -4°C (24°F) 
    Rome 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Kiev or Rome in the Spring?

Both Rome and Kiev during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Rome this time of year.

Kiev is cooler than Rome in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and Rome fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

Kiev usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rome. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Rome receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Kiev 10°C (51°F) 
    Rome 14°C (57°F)

Typical Weather for Rome and Kiev

Kiev Rome
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -4°C (24°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (47°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Feb -3°C (27°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 9°C (49°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Mar 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 42 mm (1.6 in)
Jun 20°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Jul 21°C (70°F) 88 mm (3.5 in) 25°C (77°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)
Aug 20°C (69°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 25°C (77°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Sep 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 22°C (71°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 10°C (49°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 17°C (63°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 3°C (38°F) 51 mm (2 in) 12°C (54°F) 105 mm (4.1 in)
Dec -1°C (30°F) 52 mm (2 in) 9°C (49°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)