Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Kiev?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kiev or Thessaloniki?
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 Thessaloniki can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Kiev or Thessaloniki?
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.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKiev $26Thessaloniki $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Kiev is $26, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is $144. 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 Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKiev $17Thessaloniki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKiev $34Thessaloniki $170
Compare Hotels in Kiev and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Kiev or Thessaloniki? 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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kiev $1.03Thessaloniki $14
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- Zhyliany Airport Kyiv: Private Arrival or Departure Transfer from Kiev: $31
- VIP Airport Transfer Service in Kiev: $43
- Strategic Missile Forces Base: Round-Trip Transfer from Kyiv& Museum Guided Tour: $145
- Private Transfer: From Kyiv city to Zhulyany International Airport: $54
- Private Transfer Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Zhytomyr.: $173
- Private Departure Transfer: International Airport Kyiv Zhuliany from Kyiv Hotel: $29
- Private Departure Transfer To Kyiv International Airport Zhuliany(IEV): $24
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv International Airport Zhuliany(IEV): $24
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30
- Luxury Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $80
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $60
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
- Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) to Thessaloniki - Arrival Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
- One Way Private Transfer SKG Airport to / from Thessaloniki City Center: $24
- Thessaloniki Airport Private Transfer Service: $32
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki Airport to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Private Transfer from Thessaloniki hotels to Thessaloniki Port: $41
- Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
- Thessaloniki Airport - Sani Transfer: $81
- Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
- Private transfer to IKOS OLIVIA: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Kiev or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki 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 $7.23Thessaloniki $45
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kiev $2.03Thessaloniki $28
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 Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- White Tower Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.54
- Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour & Narrative: $11
- Selfie Museum Entry Ticket: $11
- Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Museum of Illusions Admission Ticket: $12
- Thessaloniki Self-Guided Game & Tour: $12
- Byzantine Museum E-Ticket with Audio Tour: $13
- E-ticket to Museum of Byzantine Culture with Audio Tour : $13
- Thessaloniki Hop-on Hop-off Sightseeing Bus Tour: $17
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKiev $6.37Thessaloniki $16
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
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kiev and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kiev or Thessaloniki?
Kiev has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Kiev and Thessaloniki, 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 Thessaloniki?
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 Thessaloniki in the Summer?
Both Thessaloniki and Kiev during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Thessaloniki because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kiev is generally cooler than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 21°C (70°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
Kiev usually gets more rain in July than Thessaloniki. Kiev gets 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKiev 21°C (70°F)Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kiev and Thessaloniki. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
Kiev is much colder than Thessaloniki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kiev averages around 10°C (49°F) in October, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In October, Kiev usually receives less rain than Thessaloniki. Kiev gets 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKiev 10°C (49°F)Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Thessaloniki in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Kiev as well as Thessaloniki. Additionally, many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Kiev in the winter. In the winter, Kiev is much colder than Thessaloniki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kiev in January average around -4°C (24°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 5°C (41°F).
Kiev usually gets more rain in January than Thessaloniki. Kiev gets 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKiev -4°C (24°F)Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Kiev or Thessaloniki in the Spring?
Both Thessaloniki and Kiev are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.
In April, Kiev is generally cooler than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Kiev average around 10°C (51°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In April, Kiev usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Kiev gets 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKiev 10°C (51°F)Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Kiev
| Kiev | Thessaloniki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.