Which place is cheaper, Kiev or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Kiev?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg 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: Saint Petersburg or Kiev?
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
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.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Kiev $26
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, 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 Saint Petersburg and Kiev in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Kiev $17
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Kiev $34
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Kiev
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Kiev $1.03
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
-
Metro Passes$1.34
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 Saint Petersburg or Kiev?
Prices for flights to both Kiev and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $18Kiev $7.23
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.61
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.Saint Petersburg $18Kiev $2.03
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 daySaint Petersburg $9.68Kiev $6.37
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 Saint Petersburg and Kiev, we can see that Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg Expensive? and Is Kiev Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Kiev?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 61% larger than the population of Kiev. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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.
When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Kiev in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Kiev.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Kiev. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Kiev averages at about 21°C (70°F).
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Kiev. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Kiev 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiev in the Autumn?
Both Kiev and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Kiev. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Kiev fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Kiev. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Kiev 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiev in the Winter?
Both Kiev and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit.
Kiev can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Kiev in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Kiev fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Kiev. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Kiev -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiev in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Kiev.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Kiev. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Kiev averages at about 10°C (51°F).
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Kiev. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Kiev 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Kiev and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Kiev | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 52 mm (2 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.