Cheap Flights to Kyiv

Discover Kyiv

Cheap Flights to Kiev, Ukraine

Why visit Kiev?

The capital of Ukraine is more than the sum of its parts, having been an important cultural centre of Eastern Europe for over 1000 years, Kiev is a formidable, beautiful city that dominates the Dnipro River on which it sits with its stately and impressive architecture. Walk the streets of this historical city and be swept up in its cultural heft.

Things to do in Kiev

First things first: the most popular attraction in Kiev is the extraordinary Pechersk Lavra, or the Caves Monastery, a series of Orthodox golden-domed churches, and clustered on a hilltop in 28 acres of lush greenery, and it should be number one on your list of things to see in the city. Beyond the gorgeous architecture of the monastic buildings and churches, there is a wonderful Museum of Historical Treasures which displays the precious ecclesiastical items collected over hundreds of years.

Then see the famed 11^th century Golden Gates that once were part of the city walls, or stand beneath the shadow of the Motherland Monument, a huge stainless steel sculpture put in place to honour the Soviet Union when it still held thrall over Ukraine. Then make your way to Independence Square and see the towering monument there, celebrating the country becoming a republic once more.

Tour the city’s lovely parks and gardens, such as Khreschatyk Park, or the city’s Botanical Gardens. Otherwise, you can head to the brilliant Besarabsky Market, where you can buy food of all kinds, and take pictures of the colourful stalls. Nearby, you can walk down the city’s most famous avenue of Khreschatyk, with lots of shops, and restaurants at your disposal.

Best time to visit Kiev

· Weather-wise, May through to September are the best months to fly to Kiev, as average highs are between 20-25°C. Prepare for the higher crowds if you visit in July or August.

· Winter isn’t a bad time to go to Kiev unless you hate the cold, as in the middle of the season you will feel the mercury dip to -4°C.

Best time to book

· European holidays are best organised at least seven months ahead of when you intend to fly. This will give you the best prices available for this route.

Expect to pay

· Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH).

· Pick up a delicious coffee every morning for 21UAH ($1.15).

Arriving in Kiev by plane

· You’ll find that there are two aviation facilities that service the city of Kiev. The first is Borispol (Boryspil) International Airport (KPB), situated 30km from the downtown area. The second is the Kiev Zhulhany International Airport (IEV) which is the closer of the two, sitting 10km from the city centre. Airlines travelling to these airports include Lufthansa, KLM, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, Austrian Airlines, British Airways, Air France, Belavia, Air Serbia and Air Canada.

· Both airports have cafes, currency exchange booths, free WiFi, and currency exchange services available for their transiting passengers.

· Flights are often routed via an Asian hub and then a European one. Expect these stops to be in Hong Kong (HKG), Singapore (SIN), Frankfurt (FRA) or Istanbul (IST).

Visa requirements

· You will need to apply for, and purchase a visa to enter Ukraine, and typically these grant a stay of up to 15 days. Conditions of entry can change at short notice, so please be advised to read the Foreign Affairs smart traveller page on Ukraine to ensure you are travelling with the correct paperwork.

Transportation to city centre

· A taxi from Borispil (KBP) into Kiev will start at about 100 and rise to potentially 200UAH ($5-10), and 50UAH ($2.60) from the closer hub of Zhulhany (IEV).

· Arrange an airport transfer to meet you when you land, or hop on a bus into the city if you’d prefer not to take a taxi.

· Cars are easily rented within either airport, but if you want a particular transmission or model, then book a car online with us.

Where to stay in Kiev

· For nightlife, you will want to book a hotel in Pecherskyi, or the Solomenskyi neighbourhoods, particularly Percherskyi, which is the centre of the city.

· Podol is perfect for exploring the old part of the city, with lots of pretty squares and restaurants.

· For views, try Obolon, a neighbourhood right by the river, and with fairly modern buildings and hotels.

Useful tips before you go

· Generally it is recommended to drink from bottled water over the tapped sources in the city.

· Tipping is pretty standard now in Kiev. Tip around 15% in the restaurants, and 10% for taxi drivers.

Please note that the information provided above is accurate as of June 2016