Flights To Kyiv Guide

Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine, is served by two main airports: Boryspil International Airport (KBP) and Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) (IEV).

The Boryspil International Airport (KBP) is located to the east of Kyiv’s centre. It stands to be the busiest and the biggest airport in the city and provides amenities like duty-free shops, lounges, eateries, and WiFi. Major air carriers like British Airways, Ryanair, and Ukraine International Airlines offer flights from the UK to Boryspil.

Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) (IEV) is situated in the southwestern part of Kyiv. Although this airport is sizeably smaller than Boryspil, it puts forth the same facilities for passengers. This airport only facilitates regional and low-cost airlines, and some domestic flights. 

The flight duration from the UK to Kyiv’s airports falls anywhere between 3 and 3.5 hours. To facilitate your journey with absolute convenience, Woking Travel presents transportation services from the airport to your hotel upon arrival. For more information and to book a transfer for your trip, visit our Transfers page.

Woking Travel has a range of accommodations to choose from in Kyiv. You can explore a variety of hotels by visiting our Hotels page at Hotels-Woking Travel or take a look at our holiday packages at Packages-Woking Travel.

Here is a list of top 10 hotels in Bucharest, spanning from 5-stars to 3-stars, to suit every visitor:

1. Fairmont Grand Hotel Kyiv: This 5-star hotel presents refined luxury to its guests. Its beautifully constructed structure, flawless service, and impeccable dining experiences, along with a prime location is what lures tourists to visit and stay.
   
   
2. InterContinental Kyiv: Protruding opulence and sophistication, this 5-star hotel offers customers with spacious and luxuriously furnished rooms, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, a variety of dining options, and top-notch customer service. 
   
   
3. 11 Mirrors Design Hotel: This lavish and modern 4-star hotel is rated highly for its stylish and comfortable rooms, a dynamic rooftop bar, a spa, and an exceptional restaurant.
   
   
4. Opera Hotel: This 4-star hotel is a refined property that emphasises on exhibiting the true essence of Kyiv’s cultural heritage. With an on-site restaurant, a spa, a fitness facility, and luxurious accommodations, this hotel is one of the top rated hotels in the city.
   
   
5. Hyatt Regency Kyiv: This upscale 4-star hotel has a pleasant atmosphere and offers comfortable rooms, an indoor swimming pool, business facilities, and other standard amenities. 
   
   
6. Premier Palace Hotel Kyiv: Putting forth imperial elegance, this 4-star hotel provides its customers with richly furnished rooms along with all basic amenities, including free WiFi, a lavish swimming pool, and remarkable customer service.
   
   
7. City Hotel: This 4-star hotel, sitting in a prime location, offers customers modern and functional rooms with all standard amenities. The restaurant also has a beautiful terrace, an on-site restaurant, and a bar.
   
   
8. Hotel Ukraina: Merging old and new together, 3-starred Hotel Ukraina brings out the historic charm of Kyiv. Offering all standard amenities, this hotel provides a comfortable experience to its customers.
   
   
9. Pechersk Plaza Hotel: With a rating of 3-star, this apartment hotel offers all basic amenities to its customers at a reasonable price. Located near the city centre, this hotel further facilitates its customers with tourism convenience in the city.
   
   
10. Khreshchatyk City Centre Hotel: Rated 3-stars, this hotel offers a modern and vibrant atmosphere with all basic comforts. The hotel has an eatery, a fitness facility, and is suitable for business conferences, as well.

Kyiv has a multitude of transportation options such as the Kyiv metro, trams, buses, trolleybuses, and more. Here is detailed information on the most popular transit choices in Kyiv:

• Kyiv Metro: Kyiv’s transportation system predominantly depends upon the metro network. This network is swift, efficient and budget-friendly. Tickets can be booked from the Kyiv Digital app, which is available in English.

• Buses, Trolleybuses, and Trams: Buses, trolleybuses, and trams travel to regions where the metro does not touch. Tickets can be purchased at vending machines.

• Marshrutkas: These privately operated minibuses are quite popular in Kyiv and run faster than regular buses. However, marshrutkas can get crowded, at times.

• Funicular: The Kyiv Funicular is a short railway travelling from Podil to the Upper Town. This mode of transportation offers relatively affordable rides.

• Taxis: Taxis can be sighted throughout the city, ready to be hailed. However, they can fall on the pricier side. 

• Ride-sharing Services: Ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are extensively operational in Kyiv and comparatively less costly than hailing taxis.

1. Kyiv Pechersk Lavra: The UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, is an ancient Orthodox Christian monastery complex with breathtaking architecture, underground caves, and religious relics.
   
   
2. Park Landscape Alley: This park’s fanciful sculptures and colourful mosaic walls create a distinct creative atmosphere for tourists.
   
   
3. Kyiv Funicular: The Kyiv Funicular offers stunning vistas and is convenient for moving between lower and upper Kyiv.
   
   
4. Ukrainian Motherland Monument: At 102 metres tall, this renowned memorial honours Ukraine’s fighters and gives panoramic views of the city from its observation platform.
   
   
5. National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War: Explore exhibitions on Ukraine’s role in WWII, including artefacts, documents, and interactive displays.
   
   
6. St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery: This Monastery is a significant religious and cultural attraction in Kyiv, with its stunning golden domes and exquisite construction.
   
   
7. St. Andrew’s Church: Perched atop a hill, this Baroque-style church gives breathtaking views of the city and is famous for its exquisite design and historical significance.
   
   
8. Taras Shevchenko Park: Named after Ukraine’s national poet, Taras Shevchenko Park offers a calm getaway with lush foliage, picturesque walks, and monuments honouring his legacy.
   
   
9. Mariinsky Palace: This neoclassical palace, located in the heart of Kyiv, is the official residence of Ukraine’s President for ceremonies and events.
   
   
10. National Museum of Folk Architecture and Life of Ukraine: Discover traditional Ukrainian culture and architecture through exhibits of ancient buildings, crafts, and cultural artefacts.

1. Terracotta: Terracotta is a fine dining place where visitors can enjoy the picturesque views of the stunning city of Kyiv while savouring flavourful European cuisine.
   
   
2. Kanapa: Kanapa serves a blend of classic Ukrainian cuisine with a modern twist. Tourists can enjoy the authentic flavours of Ukraine, produced by local ingredients, and relax in a cosy and intimate ambience.
   
   
3. Musafir: Musafir is a famed chain of restaurants in Kyiv that serves Crimean Tatar delicacies, including chebureks (fried pastries), lagman (noodle soup), and yantyk (dumplings). The traditional yet lively ambience of the restaurant captivates visitors towards it.
   
   
4. Ostannya Barykada: Merging art, history, and scrumptious local cuisine, this restaurant offers visitors with an authentic Ukrainian experience.
   
   
5. Hutorets na Dnipri: Tourists can view the stunning river scenery while enjoying traditional Ukrainian delicacies along with the facility of an extensive selection of vodkas.
   
   
6. O’Panas: A traditional restaurant that facilitates visitors with outdoor seating and pleasant terrace and park views. Tourists can truly experience Ukrainian folklore with the menu featuring classic dishes of the region.
   
   
7. Under Wonder: With a beautiful seating arrangement surrounded by stained glass on a terrace, this restaurant offers international flavours to its visitors. The chic and beautiful terrace setting is what makes this restaurant stand out.
   
   
8. Chicken Kyiv: A restaurant built in a casual setting that is popular for serving the traditional dish of Kyiv, Chicken Kyiv. Along with Chicken Kyiv, the restaurant serves other classics like Varenyky and borscht.
   
   
9. Vino E Cucina: This elegant eatery serves exceptional Italian cuisine made with high quality products along with Italian wine. The warm lighting and the cosy ambience of the restaurant makes it a local and tourist favourite.
   
   
10. BAO Modern Chinese Cuisine: With a dynamic ambience, this Chinese restaurant serves dim sum, seafood platters and Peking duck, along with cocktails and dessert.

1. Explore the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra: Visit the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra, a UNESCO World Legacy Site with spectacular monasteries, chapels, and caves that showcase Ukraine’s religious and architectural legacy.
   
   
2. Take a stroll along Khreshchatyk: Take a leisurely walk along Khreshchatyk, Kyiv’s main thoroughfare, lined with stores, cafes, and historical buildings. It is ideal for people-watching.
   
   
3. Visit the Motherland Monument: This towering statue celebrates Ukraine’s past and those who struggled for freedom.
   
   
4. Discover St. Sophia’s Cathedral: Visit St. Sophia’s Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with breathtaking Byzantine architecture and mosaics that provide insight into Kyiv’s history.
   
   
5. Enjoy the Park Landscape Alley:  Visit Park Landscape Alley, a fanciful park with colourful mosaics, sculptures, and playgrounds that provide a peaceful getaway from the busy city streets.
   
   
6. Marvel at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery: Visit St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery, known for its shining golden domes and beautiful murals. It provides a peaceful environment for thought and research.
   
   
7. Explore the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War: This Large Museum complex offers a chance to learn about Ukraine’s role in WWII through artefacts, exhibits, and memorials.
   
   
8. Take a ride on the Kyiv Funicular: The Kyiv Funicular connects Upper and Lower Town along the Dnieper River and offers panoramic city views.
   
   
9. Enjoy a day at the Kyiv Zoo: Visit the Kyiv Zoo, which is ideal for families and animal enthusiasts. The zoo features a diverse range of species worldwide and offers informative and enjoyable activities for visitors of all ages.
   
   
10. Visit the Oleg Antonov State Aviation Museum: This Museum showcases Ukraine’s aviation history with many old planes, helicopters, and military jets.

The climate in Kyiv is described as temperate continental hence, it experiences all four seasons. Here is a breakdown of Kyiv’s weather throughout the year.

• Spring (March to May): Average temperatures in spring range from 5°C (41°F) to 18°C (64°F) with moderate rainfall of 40-50mm in a month. Tourists can immerse in the pleasant weather while strolling in parks like Khreshchatyckyi Park or Mariinskyi Park. Tour historical monuments like Saint Sophia Cathedral or peek at the street art in Podil.

• Summer (June to August): With highs averaging 22-27°C (72-81°F), summer stands to be the warmest time of the year with the least rainfall. Tourists can visit the Dnieper River for a quick swim or unwind on one of Kyiv’s pristine beaches. Outdoor activities like attending concerts, summer festivals, and visiting amusement parks are also popular among tourists.

• Fall (September to November): Temperatures in fall range between 13-18°C (55-64°F) with increasing rainfall. Fall hues paint the city in fiery foliage and rustic tones, providing a beautiful backdrop for city exploration. Tourists can plan a day trip to the outback of the city, visit Kyiv’s museums and archaic establishments, or catch a visual performance at the opera or ballet.

• Winter (December to January): Winter is characterised by the lowest temperatures of around -2°C to 2°C (28-36°F) along with snowfall. In Kyiv’s winter wonderland, visitors can bundle up and partake in winter sports like ice skating or skiing outside the city. Spend New Year’s Eve at Kyiv’s bustling main square, Maidan Nezalezhnosti, or visit one of the city’s many exuberant Christmas markets.
  
  

For up-to-date information on Kyiv’s weather conditions, you can visit Kyiv’s Weather Guide to stay informed and plan accordingly for your trip.

• GMT: Kyiv is 2 hours ahead of the UK in GMT.

• BST: Kyiv is 2 hours ahead of the UK in BST, as well.

Currency: 

• The currency of Kyiv is the Ukrainian hryvnia (UAH) or symbolised as ₴.
  Kyiv is actively making it easier for tourists and locals to pay with credit/debit cards everywhere, bringing a trend of cashless payments to the city. Moreover, cash is yet extensively accepted in almost every kind of transaction. Visitors are advised to carry both when touring the city to avoid any trouble with payments.

Language:

• The main language spoken in Kyiv is Ukrainian. However, those working in Kyiv’s hospitality sector also speak English to facilitate tourists and international communication.

Local Customs:

Kyiv provides an unparalleled experience in hospitality to visitors. Warm homes and welcoming tables are open to guests, with food and drink offered generously. To extend greetings, handshakes are held forth with eye contact, or a peck on the cheek. Customarily, men wait for women to initiate a handshake first. Moreover, the elderly people hold immense respect in Ukrainian culture. For attire, people opt for Vyshyvanka shirts on special events and dress casually yet fashionably on a daily basis.

Laws:

To stay informed about any important laws and regulations pertaining to tourists or people, in general, visit the websites mentioned below for assistance:

• UK Government’s Travel Advice for Ukraine

• Official Website of Ukraine

• Visit Ukraine’s Service Portal

Kyiv is the proud capital of Ukraine, having withstood the Mongol Empire, World War II, and Chernobyl. Ukraine’s cultural hub is the city of Kyiv, which is home to several theatres, museums, sacred places, contemporary structures, and historic ruins. Two notable examples of World Heritage Sites are the Saint Sophia Cathedral (1037) and the Monastery of the Caves (1015). With breathtaking views of the city, the Museum of the Great Patriotic War is crowned by the enormous Motherland Statue.

Book your flight to Kyiv with Woking Travel and enjoy a truly enriching travel experience!