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

Should you visit Mamaia or Kiev?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Mamaia or Kiev? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Mamaia or Kiev?

Mamaia

The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest.


Which place is cheaper, Kiev or Mamaia?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Mamaia is $64, while the average daily cost in Kiev is $26. 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 Mamaia and Kiev in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Mamaia $25
    Kiev $17
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Mamaia $50
    Kiev $34
Compare Hotels in Mamaia and Kiev

Looking for a hotel in Mamaia or Kiev? 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 Mamaia


Hotels in Kiev


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Mamaia $27
    Kiev $1.03

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia

Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
  • Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $218
  • Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $251
  • Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Mamaia or Kiev?

Prices for flights to both Kiev and Mamaia 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
    Mamaia $22
    Kiev $7.23

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.
    Mamaia $13
    Kiev $2.03

Tours and Activities in Mamaia

For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
  • Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
  • One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Mamaia $12
    Kiev $6.37

Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia

Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $44

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



When is the best time to visit Mamaia or Kiev?

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 Mamaia or Kiev in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Mamaia as well as Kiev.

In the summer, Mamaia is around the same temperature as Kiev. Typically, the summer temperatures in Mamaia in July average around 22°C (72°F), and Kiev averages at about 21°C (70°F).

Mamaia usually gets less rain in July than Kiev. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Mamaia 22°C (72°F) 
    Kiev 21°C (70°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Kiev in the Autumn?

Both Kiev and Mamaia are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In October, Mamaia is generally a little warmer than Kiev. Daily temperatures in Mamaia average around 14°C (56°F), and Kiev fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In October, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Kiev. Mamaia gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Mamaia 14°C (56°F) 
    Kiev 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Kiev in the Winter?

Both Kiev and Mamaia during the winter are popular places to visit.

Kiev can be very cold during winter. Mamaia can get quite cold in the winter. Mamaia is much warmer than Kiev in the winter. The daily temperature in Mamaia averages around 1°C (33°F) in January, and Kiev fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).

Mamaia usually gets less rain in January than Kiev. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Mamaia 1°C (33°F) 
    Kiev -4°C (24°F)

Should I visit Mamaia or Kiev in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Mamaia and Kiev.

In the spring, Mamaia is around the same temperature as Kiev. Typically, the spring temperatures in Mamaia in April average around 10°C (51°F), and Kiev averages at about 10°C (51°F).

In April, Mamaia usually receives less rain than Kiev. Mamaia gets 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Mamaia 10°C (51°F) 
    Kiev 10°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Kiev and Mamaia

Mamaia Kiev
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 1°C (33°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) -4°C (24°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Feb 2°C (36°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -3°C (27°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Mar 5°C (41°F) 26 mm (1 in) 2°C (36°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 10°C (51°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 16°C (60°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 17°C (62°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (67°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 22°C (72°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 21°C (70°F) 88 mm (3.5 in)
Aug 22°C (72°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 20°C (69°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Sep 19°C (65°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 14°C (56°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 10°C (49°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Nov 8°C (47°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (38°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Dec 4°C (38°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -1°C (30°F) 52 mm (2 in)