Which place is cheaper, Kiev or Vilnius?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vilnius or Kiev?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius 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.
Where Should I go: Vilnius or Kiev?
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayVilnius €94Kiev €24
The average daily cost (per person) in Vilnius is €94, 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 Vilnius and Kiev in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVilnius €42Kiev €16
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVilnius €84Kiev €32
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Kiev
Looking for a hotel in Vilnius 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Vilnius Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vilnius €8.30Kiev €0.96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:
- Airport Bus Transfer to/from Central Bus Station: $3.23
- Riga: Bus Transfer to/from Vilnius: $20
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Riga: $24
- Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer: $27
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Warsaw: $36
- Arrival Transfer from Vilnius VNO Airport to Vilnius by Minivan: $46
- Vilnius Airport Transfer: $52
- Vilnius Airport (VNO): Bus Transfer to/from Gdansk: $52
- Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $54
- Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $215
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $215
- Transfer from Kaunas Airport to Vilnius: $215
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiev
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiev:
- Private Arrival Transfer From Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
- Private Departure Transfer To Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP): $24
- Private Arrival Airport Transfer from Kyiv Boryspil Airport: $30
- Private Transfer: From Kyiv city to Kyiv Boryspil International Airport : $37
- Private Transfer from Zhulyany (Kyiv International Airport) to Kyiv: $42
- VIP Airport Transfer Service in Kiev: $43
- Private transfer: Boryspil International Airport to Kyiv: $48
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $55
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV in Business Car: $55
- Kiev Airport Transfers : Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City in Luxury Van: $61
- Kiev Arrival Private Transfers from Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV to Kiev City: $61
- Kiev Departure Private Transfers from Kiev City to Kiev Zhulhany Airport IEV: $61
Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Kiev?
Prices for flights to both Kiev and Vilnius 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 dayVilnius €40Kiev €6.77
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:
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Dinner for Two€13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vilnius.
- Private National Dinner with Folk Show: $60
- Dinner in local family: $74
- Flavors of Vilnius - Private Walking Food Tour: $191
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
- Kyiv Restaurant Food Tour: Ukrainian Cuisine Tasting: $113
- Private Gastro/Food Tour In Kyiv : $144
- Cooking master class: $226
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Vilnius €9.72Kiev €1.90
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:
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Walking Tour€5.79
Tours and Activities in Vilnius
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.23
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.46
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.46
- Vilnius Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.56
- Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $7.50
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line: Europos Parkas, Open-Air Museum Ticket Vilnius, Lithuania: $12
- Vibrant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $19
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $19
- Private Europos Parkas Tour with Entrance Ticket: $19
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $19
Tours and Activities in Kiev
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kiev are as follows:
- Underground Tunnels Exploration Tour: $34
- Kyiv Underground Tour: $35
- Panoramic Kyiv by Night Driving Tour with Private Guide: $38
- Kyiv Podil District Private Walking Tour with Local Guide: $38
- 2 Hours Private Walking Tour to Kiev Pechersk Lavra : $39
- Private Street Art Walking Tour with Local Guide - Best of Kyiv Murals: $39
- Sunrise in Kyiv Private Tour: $39
- Kyiv Metro Private Tour – Highlights of the Subway Stations: $39
- Soviet Kiev - 2 hours Walking Tour: $42
- Kiev Open Tour - History & Modern Life in 3 hours: $43
- Mysteries of Baikove Cemetery Private Guided Tour: $45
- Kiev Best Sights Private Half-Day Tour : $46
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVilnius €6.38Kiev €5.97
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:
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Beer€4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius
Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer degustation at Bear & Boar Brewery Taproom: $43
- Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $46
Sample the Local Flavors in Kiev
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Kiev:
- Kiev Pub Crawling | Private Beer Tasting Tour: $77
- Speakeasy Bar Crawl: $135
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vilnius and Kiev, we can see that Vilnius 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 Vilnius would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vilnius 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 Vilnius Expensive? and Is Kiev Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Kiev?
Kiev has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Vilnius. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Kiev?
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 Vilnius or Kiev in the Summer?
Both Kiev and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vilnius is cooler than Kiev. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vilnius in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Kiev averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In July, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Kiev. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVilnius 18°C (65°F)Kiev 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Kiev in the Autumn?
Both Kiev and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Vilnius is generally cooler than Kiev. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 8°C (46°F), and Kiev fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Vilnius usually gets more rain in October than Kiev. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVilnius 8°C (46°F)Kiev 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Kiev in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Kiev. Most visitors come to Vilnius for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Kiev can be very cold. Vilnius can be very cold during winter. Vilnius is cooler than Kiev in the winter. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Kiev fluctuates around -4°C (24°F).
In January, Vilnius usually receives less rain than Kiev. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVilnius -5°C (23°F)Kiev -4°C (24°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Kiev in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Kiev. The spring months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Vilnius is cooler than Kiev. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vilnius in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Kiev averages at about 10°C (51°F).
Vilnius usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Kiev. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiev receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVilnius 7°C (45°F)Kiev 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Kiev and Vilnius
| Vilnius | Kiev | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (26°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (33°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.