Which place is cheaper, Kiev or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Kiev. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $62, 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 Moscow and Kiev in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Moscow 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
Prices for flights to both Kiev and Moscow 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.
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kiev.
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kiev:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Kiev, we can see that Moscow 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 Moscow would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Moscow 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 Moscow Expensive? and Is Kiev Expensive?.
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Kiev. When comparing the sizes of Moscow and Kiev, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Kiev.
In July, Moscow is generally around the same temperature as Kiev. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 19°C (67°F), and Kiev fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
Moscow usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Kiev. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Kiev and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Moscow is much colder than Kiev in the autumn. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Kiev fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In October, Moscow usually receives more rain than Kiev. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Kiev and Moscow during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Kiev can be very cold. Moscow can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Moscow is much colder than Kiev. Typically, the winter temperatures in Moscow in January average around -8°C (17°F), and Kiev averages at about -4°C (24°F).
Moscow usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Kiev. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Kiev.
In April, Moscow is generally cooler than Kiev. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 7°C (45°F), and Kiev fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).
In April, Moscow usually receives less rain than Kiev. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Moscow | Kiev | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |