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

Should you visit Santorini or Kiev?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Santorini or Kiev, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Santorini or Kiev?

Santorini

Santorini is a volcanic island that is part of the Cyclades group of the Greek Islands. It has some spectacular views, beautiful sunsets, and excellent beaches. As one of the most popular of the Greek Islands to visit, Santorini sees many tourists every year. However, it's for a good reason, as the famous white-washed buildings that spill down the hill, some with blue domes that match the gorgeous color of the water, are set against the beautiful mountainous backdrop of one of the most scenic areas of the Mediterranean. Home to several of these small and scenic towns such as Oia, Kamari, Perissa, and Fira, visitors can explore the large island, enjoy delicious food, swim at the beaches, hike the hills, and sail the blue waters.

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 Luxury Tours to Greece, and The Best Budget Tours to Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Kiev or Santorini?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Santorini is €175, while the average daily cost in Kiev is €24. 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 Santorini and Kiev in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Santorini 93
    Kiev 16
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Santorini 186
    Kiev 32
Compare Hotels in Santorini and Kiev

Looking for a hotel in Santorini 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 Santorini


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.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Santorini Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Santorini 28
    Kiev 0.96

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Santorini

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

  • One-Way Transfer to/from the Port or Airport: $15
  • Economy Roundtrip Transfer Santorini Airport ( Max 4 stop ): $15
  • Santorini Private Transfer From or To Airport: $16
  • Shared Transfer From Airport and Port to Santorini: $17
  • Santorini Private Transfer Services: $20
  • Shuttle Transfers From or To Santorini Port: $21
  • Private Transfer Santorini: $22
  • Private Arrival Transfer From Santorini Airport To All Destinations: $22
  • Departure Shared Transfer in Santorini Island: $22
  • Santorini shared transfer: $22
  • Private Transfers To/From Airport, Port & Hotels: $22
  • Departure Private Transfer Santorini to Santorini Airport JTR by Sedan Car: $23

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:

  • Private Transfer Kyiv Boryspil International Airport to Zhytomyr.: $173
  • Strategic Missile Forces Base: Round-Trip Transfer from Kyiv& Museum Guided Tour: $145
  • Luxury Arrival 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 Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $67
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $60
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Boryspil Airport KBP: $60
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP in Business Car: $60
  • Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Boryspil Airport KBP to Kiev City in Business Car: $60
  • Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $60
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $60
  • Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $55

Is it cheaper to fly into Santorini or Kiev?

Prices for flights to both Kiev and Santorini 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
    Santorini 48
    Kiev 6.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Santorini

For Santorini, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Romantic Sunset Caldera Cruise with Dinner: $70
  • Santorini Caldera: Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $70
  • Volcanic Sunset Cruise with Dinner: $80
  • Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music: $91
  • Volcano and Hot Springs Sunset Dinner Cruise: $96
  • Cooking Class in Traditional cave house in Santorini!: $120
  • Sunset Cruise with Swim Stops, Dinner, and Drinks: $120
  • Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour With Tastings: $123
  • Half-Day Sunset Wine Tasting Tour in Santorini with dinner: $123
  • Luxury Sunset Cruise with Dinner & Open Bar: $128
  • Sunset Sea Kayak with Light Dinner: $128
  • Hands on Cooking Class with a Chef: $134

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.
    Santorini 36
    Kiev 1.90

Tours and Activities in Santorini

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Santorini.

  • Authentic A Self-Guided Audio Tour of Oia: $6.99
  • Megalochori: Lost Atlantis 9D Experience Museum Entry Ticket: $15
  • Skip the Line Lost Atlantis Experience Ticket: $15
  • E-Ticket to Akrotiri with Audio Tour on your Phone: $15
  • Akrotiri Archaeological Site Entry Ticket: $16
  • Refundable Ticket for Akrotiri Archaeological Site : $20
  • Santorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port: $27
  • Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit: $28
  • Santorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia): $33
  • Santorini Volcano Tour: $37
  • Santorini Volcano & Hot Springs Tour : $40
  • Santorini Volcano Half Day Tour: $44

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
    Santorini 26
    Kiev 5.97

Sample the Local Flavors in Santorini

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

  • Half Day Simply Santorini Tour with Wine Tasting: $60
  • Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset: $63
  • Fira Town Walking Tour with Wine Tasting: $75
  • Top Sights of Santorini with Wine Tasting and Sunset in Oia: $75
  • Notos Day Tour through History & Wine Tasting: $98
  • Santorini 4 Hour Private Oia Tour & Wine Tasting : $105
  • Wine Tour with Sunset in Oia: $106
  • Santorini Highlights Small-Group Tour with Wine Tasting from Fira: $109
  • 5 towns in 5 hours: Santorini Most Popular Tour with Wine tasting: $117
  • Wine Tour Santorini: $118
  • Wine tasting and Carving lesson in Santorini: $131
  • Santorini 4-Hour Private Tour including Wine Tasting, Shore Excursion: $136

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


Which is Bigger, Santorini or Kiev?

Kiev has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Santorini. When comparing the sizes of Santorini 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.