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City guide

Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine

Kyiv, also spelt Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both banks of the Dnieper River.

Type City

Why go

  • Capital and largest city of Ukraine.
  • Served by Bila Tserkva Air Base.

History

Kyiv, also spelt Kiev, is the capital and most populous city of Ukraine. Located in the north-central part of the country, it straddles both banks of the Dnieper River. As of January 2022, the population of Kyiv was 2,952,301, making it the seventh-most populous city in Europe. Kyiv is an important industrial, scientific, educational, and cultural center. It is home to high-tech industries, higher education institutions, and historical landmarks. The city has an extensive public transport system, which includes the Kyiv Metro.

Airports

Kyiv Boryspil International Airport (KBP) 28 km to the centre
Boryspil, 32, UA — You board from the indoor waiting area — no need to plan for the weather. ✈ 33 airlines (Ukraine International Airlines, AlMasria Universal Airlines, S7 Airlines, ZABAIKAL AIRLINES…) · direct flights to 62 destinations incl. Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Baku, Prague, Alma-ata… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 33 airlines, 62 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor
Igor Sikorsky Kyiv International Airport (Zhuliany) (IEV) 7.8 km to the centre
Kyiv, 30, UA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 9 airlines (Wizz Air Ukraine, Motor Sich, Transaero Airlines, Wizz Air…) · direct flights to 20 destinations incl. Barcelona, Moscow, Athens, Bergamo, Budapest… (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 9 airlines, 20 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Hostomel Airport 30 km to the centre
Kiev, 32, UA — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day.
Indoor | Outdoor
Gogoliv Airfield 37 km to the centre
Gogoliv (Kiev), 32, UA
Outdoor
Nalyvaikivka Airfield 57 km to the centre
Nalyvaikivka, 32, UA
Outdoor
Svyatoshyn Airport 11 km to the centre
Kyiv, 30, UA
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry terminal
Ferry terminal · 7.5 km from the centre
Outdoor
Човникова переправа
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

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Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Bila Tserkva Air Base; 14 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By water: 1 ferry terminal within 20 km; routes include Човникова переправа.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Kyiv (Kiev), Ukraine. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Trains & rail

Rail operator
Rail operator

Private aviation

On-demand charter, jet cards and the semi-private scheduled carriers that serve this city.

Broker · Any aircraft via operators worldwide · Global charter broker with 30+ offices; private jets, group charters and cargo.
FBO, charter, management · Managed fleet · FBO network and management across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.
Fractional, jet card · Embraer Praetor, Bombardier Challenger & Global, Gulfstream · Fractional ownership and jet cards in North America and Europe.
Charter, management · Large-cabin & VIP airliners · Geneva-based operator known for large-cabin and VIP airliner charters.
Charter, management, FBO, MRO · Managed fleet worldwide · General Dynamics company: charter, completions and FBOs in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and the US.