Guide to Kyiv
Trip to Kyiv - the capital of independent Ukraine
Since 1991, Kyiv has proudly held the status of being the capital of Ukraine, a position it also held during the times of Kievan Rus, the UNR, and the USSR. Throughout its history, Kyiv has endured multiple enemy invasions and attempts at conquest, but it has consistently withstood these challenges, reviving itself time and again.
Kyiv boasts a history spanning over 1500 years. Legend has it that the city was founded by three brothers (Kiy, Shchek, Horiv) and their sister Lybed, and it was named after the eldest brother, Kiy.
The capital of Ukraine is a magnet for visitors due to its grandeur and warm hospitality. Tourists flock to explore this ancient city, visiting historical landmarks like Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, St. Andrew's Descent, and St. Vladimir's Cathedral, which are never overlooked by guests.
No tourist can leave Kyiv without savoring hearty dishes of Ukrainian cuisine, including borscht, varenyky, stuffed cabbage, and many others. The welcoming locals are always ready to create an unparalleled atmosphere of home comfort.
In addition to its numerous historical sites, Kyiv offers a plethora of entertainment options for both adults and children.
Photos of Kyiv
Tours to Kyiv
A city on a river, a city of a thousand churches, a city of chestnut alleys — Kyiv is known by many names. A true paradise for sightseeing, it offers the best tours all year round. No matter the season, you can always find a trip to Kyiv that suits your mood.
Try the famous Kyiv cake, stroll down the shady Khreshchatyk, climb the winding paths of Volodymyrska Hill, or explore the alleys near the Green Theater — all this and more awaits you in Kyiv. With a travel guide in hand, planning your own tourist route through the city is easy, as all major attractions are marked on the map.
Kyiv welcomes visitors year-round. And in this city, there is always something extraordinary to discover, regardless of the season.
If you're interested in this kind of trip, come and learn the legends of Lysa Hora or visit the house where Bulgakov once lived. Maybe you're curious to explore the Museum of Natural History or the Organ Hall? Many affordable tours around Kyiv — walking or by bus — include these and other attractions.
Interesting places in Kyiv
Kyiv is the oldest city in Ukraine and one of the oldest in Europe. The city holds many secrets, and thousands of tourists come to Kyiv every year to unravel them and learn about its majestic history. In addition to architectural monuments in Kyiv, there are wonderful, cozy recreation areas, which will especially appeal to young travelers. A Kyiv tourist guide will always tell you about the best places for relaxation. After a long walk, you can easily find a good cafe or restaurant for a snack or a full dinner.
Flight ticket prices
Due to the current situation in Ukraine, direct flights to Kyiv from European countries are temporarily suspended. Travelers now use combined routes, usually flying into nearby airports (e.g., Chișinău, Warsaw, Katowice, or Bucharest), and then continuing to Kyiv by land — by train, bus, or rental car.
The most convenient routes are via Poland and Moldova. One-way flights from Kraków, Warsaw, Wrocław, Prague, Budapest, Milan, or Paris to Chișinău or Bucharest cost from €50 to €120. From there, buses to Kyiv are available (starting at €25), and trains may also be an option. The full journey can take 12 to 20 hours depending on the origin. Always check the latest schedules in advance.
The best hotels in Kyiv
There are a lot of hotels in Kyiv and every guest of the capital can choose a suitable option, depending on his tastes and budget.
Luxury hotels are located in the center of Kyiv and offer their guests high-class service and exclusive services. Among them are international hotel chains such as InterContinental Kyiv, Hyatt Regency Kyiv, Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv, Hilton Kiev and others. Room price starts from 250 USD per night.
Middle-class hotels with a standard set of services (bathroom, refrigerator, TV, daily cleaning) will cost from 20-30 USD per room. Three-star hotels such as Verkhovyna, Tourist, Ambassador Plaza and Bratislava are among the best.
When choosing an inexpensive hotel should pay attention to areas away from the center. Hotels on the Left Bank are cheaper than on the Right Bank. Rates start at $5 USD per bed.
Travel budget
Compared to the capitals of other countries, vacationing in Kiev is considered to be quite inexpensive. Accommodation in Kiev is one of the most affordable in Europe. Hostels cost from 8 euros per night, inexpensive hotels - from 20 euros.
As for food, there are no problems with it in the capital of Ukraine. At every step you can find small cafes and cozy restaurants. You can eat in cozy cafes for 6-8 euros, and in more expensive restaurants - from 25 euros for dinner for two people.
Prices for city tours will depend on the duration of the Kiev tour and the number of people in the group.
| The budget for a trip to Kyiv | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Flight | From 3500 UAH | Accomodation | From 1200 UAH |
| Average check in a restaurant | From 350 UAH | Transportation fare | From 8 UAH |
| Excursion | From 300 UAH | ||
| Total: about 10000 UAH for four days | |||
Kyiv: tips for tourists
Visa to Kyiv
Citizens of some countries can visit Ukraine without a visa, for example:
EU, Switzerland, Norway, Great Britain, Israel, Turkey, USA, Canada, Japan, South Korea - visa-free for up to 90 days within 180 days.
Georgia and Moldova - can enter with an ID card.
Airport
Before the full-scale war began, Kyiv had two international airports — Boryspil and Kyiv (Zhuliany). Currently, their operations are suspended, and air traffic across all of Ukraine is temporarily halted due to security concerns. The resumption of air travel in the future will depend on regional security.
Transfer
There are many cab services in Kiev, including popular apps - Bolt, Uber and Uklon. You can order a car through the mobile app, choosing the type of car: from budget to comfort class. The cost of a trip around the city starts from 150 UAH depending on the distance, time of day and traffic. Airport transfer services, car rental with a driver and cashless payment are also available.
Car rental
If your budget for an independent trip to Kyiv is limited, you can rent an economy class car with a manual transmission at a low price (850 UAH per day).
Please note that you will not be able to rent a car in Kyiv without a deposit. The deposit amount depends on the class of the car and can range from 7,000 UAH to 70,000 UAH.
Transportation
The most convenient form of transport in Kyiv is the metro, as the metro stations are close to the main attractions and you will save yourself from standing in traffic jams. The metro operates from 6:00 to 23:00. The cost of one trip is 8 UAH.
No less popular public transport in the capital are minibuses, for which you will have to pay 15 UAH.
Safety
To avoid risking your safety, you should stay away from the outskirts of Kyiv and stay close to tourist areas. Especially in the dark. When walking around the city, don't take valuables with you. Change currency only in official exchange offices. Also in Kyiv you should beware of pickpockets and scammers.