Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Sochi or Kiel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Sochi or Kiel? 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: Sochi or Kiel?
Sochi
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
Kiel
Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySochi $60Kiel $148
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $60, while the average daily cost in Kiel is $148. 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 Sochi and Kiel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSochi $14Kiel $72
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSochi $28Kiel $144
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Kiel
Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Kiel? 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: Kiel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Sochi -Kiel $58
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Kiel?
Prices for flights to both Kiel and Sochi 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 daySochi $17Kiel $41
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Sochi $112Kiel $20
Tours and Activities in Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
- SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
- City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
- Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySochi -Kiel $13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Kiel, we can see that Kiel is more expensive. And not only is Sochi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sochi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sochi 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 Kiel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kiel than you might in Sochi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Sochi or Kiel?
Sochi has a larger population, and is about 41% larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Kiel, 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 Sochi or Kiel?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Sochi or Kiel in the Summer?
Both Kiel and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.
Sochi is a little warmer than Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
In July, Sochi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySochi 23°C (73°F)Kiel 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Kiel in the Autumn?
Both Kiel and Sochi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Sochi is much warmer than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in October than Kiel. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSochi 16°C (60°F)Kiel 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Kiel in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Kiel. Furthermore, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sochi is generally much warmer than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In January, Sochi usually receives more rain than Kiel. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySochi 6°C (44°F)Kiel 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Sochi or Kiel in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Kiel. Additionally, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Sochi is much warmer than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Sochi receives a lot of rain in the spring. Sochi usually gets more rain in April than Kiel. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSochi 13°C (55°F)Kiel 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Kiel and Sochi
| Sochi | Kiel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.