Cheap flights to Ukraine

When is the best time to fly to Ukraine?

Peak season:

The peak season in Ukraine varies slightly depending on where in the country you are although the weather is generally best from May through to late September. You can expect temperatures to hover between 16°C to 25/26°C. July is by far the most expensive month of the year to visit making cheap flights to Ukraine very hard to find. Make sure you secure your flight tickets well in advance to make any kind of saving. April and May tend to be cooler and sometime wet although this is when the flowers begin to bloom and everything starts coming alive again which is a beautiful sight. Christmas and New Years’ tends to be busy, despite the very cold weather that grips the country. If you do manage to find cheap flights to Ukraine around Christmas then you won’t be disappointed thanks to the huge celebrations that take place, especially in Kiev. It’s worth noting down that the official Ukrainian Christmas isn’t celebrated until January 7th. May 9th is Victory Day, where the country celebrates victory over the Nazis. The whole county celebrates with Kiev seeing the main event. The last weekend of May also sees Kiev Day. It’s one of the biggest events of the year and is full of fireworks, concerts and late night celebrations. 

Off season:

Temperatures start to plummet from around late November, although it’ll be cold by October time. December, January and February are the coldest months however, with temperatures drifting into the minus figures and hovering at 0°C at the best of times. Snow is also very common and can sometimes last from November all the way through to March. If you’re not put off by the cold weather though you will find the cheapest flights to Ukraine with little effort.

When is the best time to book a flight to Ukraine?

The best time to book flights to Ukraine depends on whether you want experience or value for money. January and February are the downright winners in offering the cheapest flights to Ukraine, with return flight tickets available for less than £100 per person. You should aim to have your flight tickets booked at least four months before you want to travel, regardless of which month you are hoping to visit in. This is especially true for July which can be £200 more expensive than any other month. May to June make for the best months to book a flight if you’re interested in the events and festivals as most take place between then. If you are flexible with your dates and your ultimate location in Ukraine then you’ll find the cheapest flights to Ukraine are a lot easier to come by. Saying that, some airlines do have special offers on during school holidays so you can find discounted flight tickets if you plan ahead.

How long is the flight to Ukraine?

Flights from London to Kiev, Ukraine: 3 hours 10 minutes
Flights from London to Kiev, Ukraine: 4 hours 50 minutes
Flights from Birmingham to Kiev, Ukraine: 4 hours 45 minutes
Flights from Glasgow to Kiev, Ukraine: 5 hours 10 minutes

Which airlines operate flights to Ukraine?

Ukraine and British Airways offer direct, cheap flights to Ukraine from London and make the journey pleasant, especially as British Airways provide free food and drinks onboard all of their flights to Ukraine. If you’re flying from anywhere else in the UK you might find that direct flights are harder to come by. In this case you’ll more than likely fly with Lufthansa, KLM or Air France. Deciding on which airline to travel with will more than likely come down to your budget and your own preference. You can also find cheap flights to Kiev with Wizz Air, although they only really fly from London Luton to Kyiv Zhulyany (which is close to Kiev). Wizz Air is cheap but they are a budget airline, so expect basic comfort and service. You also don’t get to pick your seat so it’s a first-come first-served kind of experience.

How to get from the airport to the city centre?

The airport is around 30km away from the centre although getting there isn’t too difficult thanks to the reliable public transport options available. If’ you’re on a budget then the cheapest way would be to get a bus. The Sky Bus operates to and from the airport, with it terminating at Kiev Train Station before heading back to the airport. The bus also stops at the Kharkivska Metro Station. Despite being the cheapest option, the bus can be slightly problematic for first-time visitors to Ukraine as the train station isn’t nearby to any of the major hotels, meaning you’ll either need to get a taxi from the train station or jump off the bus at the metro station and then catch the metro towards your hotel. Your only other option is to get a taxi from the airport. This is probably your best method if you’re new to the city and all taxis are modern Hyundai vehicles. Make sure you agree on the fare before you set off though and don’t accept a lift from anyone hassling you as you leave the arrivals Terminal.

Ukraine insider information