According to Mercer's Cost of Living information report Kiev is ranked as one of the most expensive cities in the World. There are only 47 cities across six continents where the traveler will spend more money during a trip than in the capital of Ukraine. This survey is based on comparison of more than 200 goods and services in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment, and carefully chosen vendors reflect only those outlets where expatriates can buy goods and services of international quality.
Of course, each city can be relatively divided in two parts: one is for foreigners or better to say for reach locals and foreigners and the other one is for local people only. The first part of Kiev is very easy to find – it’s described in all guide books. Actually you don’t even need a guide-book for that – a detailed map of down-town is enough – all the most expansive places are marked there.
The “local”- part of the city is much cheaper and definitely much more interesting. Unfortunately you won’t find it on the map. You will need a personal guide that will show it to you! Yes, you are absolutely right, that’s much easier to say then to do! So here are few tips how you can save money, time and efforts during your staying in Kiev.
First of all: book accommodation in advance. Don’t count on finding the place to stay upon arrival. Don’t forget that Kiev is a business center of Ukraine and during events of international meaning (big exhibition, sport events etc.) all the hotels are over booked, which means that you will be charged for an “emergency”. And you might not even find an alternative accommodation like flat or bed in hostels. Best way is to book any kind of accommodation (room in hotel, apartment or bed in hostel) not later than one week before arrival. If you don’t want to spend on accommodation more than 20$ per night than you should look for hostels on the internet. If you are willing to pay a bit more but get a high level of comfort, than you should check apartments for daily rent in the center. Here the price starts from 80$ per night. But if you want to stay in a hotel, then you should think about booking at least two weeks before time (price starts from 90$ per night for a room in a 3 star hotel).
Think about the way you are going to get from airport to the accommodation. In the airport you will be offered a taxi for 70-100$ while if you order an airport transfer in advance from one the Ukrainian travel companies for the same money for both ways: a driver will pick you up on the day of arrival and will take you back to the airport on the day of departure. If you can’t effort transfer then you should obtain more specific information from hostel/hotel on how you can get there from airport by city transport. And don’t count on finding English speaking bus driver – better have an address printed or written down (in Russian/Ukrainian preferably).
And one more thing: at the end of the day it will be cheaper to use services of travel agencies at least for two reasons: they have special rates for accommodation that are 5-15% lower than rack rates plus good travel managers will answer all questions like :
Where to find the best exchange rates
Where you can try local cuisine at the lowest costs
Where you can go out
How to get a taxi for real price (up to 10$ for ride within downtown)?
Plus some companies like MJ-Tour offer to their clients mobile assistance. You will be given a mobile phone with local simcard for the whole duration of your staying free of charge. So whenever you need it “your personal guide” will be only one phone-call away!
For more information on travel tips, upcoming events and other useful information please visit http://www.mj-tour.kiev.ua