Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiev or San Francisco?
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 San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or San Francisco?
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.
San Francisco
San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26San Francisco $222
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in San Francisco is $222. 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 San Francisco in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17San Francisco $130
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Kiev and San Francisco
Looking for a hotel in Kiev or San Francisco? 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: San Francisco Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03San Francisco $16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- Private Transfer Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Zhytomyr.: $173
- Private Arrival Transfer: Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Chernihiv city: $147
- Strategic Missile Forces Base: Round-Trip Transfer from Kyiv& Museum Guided Tour: $146
- Luxury Departure 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 Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $55
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV in Business Car: $55
Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:
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Taxi to SFO$45
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Golden Gate Bridge Toll$6.00
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Alcatraz Tour$30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco
Also for San Francisco, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer in private vehicle from San Francisco Airport to City: $35
- SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Downtown San Francisco: $97
- Airport Transfer: San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to San Francisco: $107
- Private Airport Transfer: San Francisco to SF International Airport (SFO): $107
- Private Transfer from Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $108
- Departure Private Transfer: San Francisco to Airport SFO in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: Airport SFO to San Francisco in Business Car: $108
- Private Airport Transfer from SFO to San Francisco (One-way): $110
- San Francisco Airport (SFO) to San Francisco - Arrival Private Transfer: $110
- San Francisco to San Francisco Airport (SFO) - Departure Private Transfer: $110
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in San Francisco HTL-APT (SFO): $119
- SFO Airport Private Transfer to Downtown: $120
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or San Francisco?
Prices for flights to both San Francisco 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 $7.25San Francisco $46
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco
For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- San Francisco Virtual Food Tour with Local Guide: $19
- North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $79
- Buffet Lunch or Dinner Cruise on the Bay: $82
- Secret Food Tours San Francisco: $84
- Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $85
- Farmers' Market & Ferry Building Food Tour: $87
- Mission District Walking Food Tour: $89
- Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco North Beach and Chinatown - Secret Food Tours: $89
- San Francisco Chinatown Food Tour: $89
- San Francisco Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.04San Francisco $46
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
Tours and Activities in San Francisco
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for San Francisco.
- Golden Gate Bridge: Self-guided Tour App - Audio + Written: $5.00
- San Francisco’s Chinatown on foot: A Self Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Leave your heart at the Wharf: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self Guided Chinatown Tour: Food, History and Culture: $5.99
- San Francisco's Barbary Past: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Embarcadero Self-Guided Audio Smartphone Tour: $5.99
- San Francisco self-guided tour App - multilingual AudioGuide: $6.46
- The Ghosts of San Francisco Haunted Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour of Japantown & Stories: $6.99
- Ghosts & Hauntings Audio App Walking Tour: $6.99
- Secrets of Golden Gate Park Audio Tour: $7.99
- Design in the Financial District Audio Tour: $7.99
For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.40San Francisco $22
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
Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:
- Chinatown San Francisco’s Bar Crawl: An Audio Tour: $4.99
- SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $27
- San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $35
- Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $35
- 2 to 3 Hour Bar Crawl in Castro San Francisco: $49
- Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
- Private Wine Tour Napa or Sonoma from $99 per person up to 7 & Concierge Service: $99
- Small Group: The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $109
- Big Bus Napa and Sonoma Valley Wine Tour: $125
- Half-Day Wine Country Tour with Wine Tastings: $126
- From The Ultimate Napa and Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
- The Ultimate Napa & Sonoma Wine Tour: $139
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco 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 San Francisco is in North America, 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco 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 San Francisco Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or San Francisco?
Kiev has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of San Francisco. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and San Francisco, 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 San Francisco?
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 San Francisco in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kiev as well as San Francisco. Additionally, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Kiev is a little warmer than San Francisco in the summer. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 21°C (70°F) in July, and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).
Kiev usually gets more rain in July than San Francisco. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kiev or San Francisco in the Autumn?
Both San Francisco and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Kiev is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kiev in October average around 10°C (49°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).
In October, Kiev usually receives around the same amount of rain as San Francisco. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)San Francisco 63°F (17°C)
Should I visit Kiev or San Francisco in the Winter?
Both San Francisco and Kiev during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
Kiev can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kiev is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around -4°C (24°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).
Kiev usually gets less rain in January than San Francisco. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)San Francisco 50°F (10°C)
Should I visit Kiev or San Francisco in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and San Francisco. Also, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
Kiev is cooler than San Francisco in the spring. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 10°C (51°F) in April, and San Francisco fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
In April, Kiev usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)San Francisco 58°F (14°C)
Typical Weather for San Francisco and Kiev
| Kiev | San Francisco | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 inches (96 mm) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 54°F (12°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 1.2 inches (31 mm) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 60°F (15°C) | 0.2 inches (5 mm) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 0.1 inches (2 mm) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 64°F (18°C) | 0.1 inches (1 mm) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.3 inches (7 mm) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 inches (33 mm) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 51°F (11°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
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.