Airbnb is an online marketplace that lets people rent out their properties or spare rooms to guests. They have a huge selection of properties in Kiev and throughout Ukraine.
Places to rent in Kiev include complete apartments, spare rooms, hostels, and shared rooms.
Discount Voucher – Coupon Code 2020
In 2020, new account holders can get up to $45 in credit when making their first booking. If you don’t have an Airbnb account, get a discount by signing up here.
The discount/voucher link above works for Airbnb stays anywhere in the world, not just Kiev.
Airbnb properties in Kiev are cheap to rent. The discount can often be worth 1 night’s free stay in an apartment. If you decide to stay in a shared room or hostel the discount can often give you 2 or 3 night’s free accommodation.
Airbnb Tips for Kiev
Book a City Centre Location or Near a Metro Station
Kiev can be a daunting place for many first time visitors. Finding your way around the city isn’t particularly easy if you don’t speak Ukrainian or Russian. Road signs are written in Ukrainian and finding a local that speaks English and willing to help with directions can be tricky.
We’d advise booking an Airbnb in Kiev city centre. Fortunately, there are plenty to choose from and most western visitors will find prices very reasonable.
Khreshchatyk is the main street in central Kiev. Book any place near here (or Independence Square) and you’ll be within easy walking distance of most of the city’s tourist attractions and most popular bars and restaurants.
Check out our interactive map of Kiev to see where all the sights are located.
If you’re on a tight budget and want to save money you can stay in the suburbs. We’d advise booking an Airbnb close to a Kiev Metro station. The Kiev Metro is extremely cheap and runs every day of the week until late. Our interactive map shows the location of all stations. Alternatively, look for an ‘M’ icon on the Airbnb map.
Book with an Airbnb Superhost
Many of the hosts on Airbnb are classified as Superhosts. Booking with a Superhost will give you extra peace of mind.
To qualify as a Superhost, property owners need to satisfy strict criteria including:
- Consistently high guest ratings
- Extremely low cancellation rates
- High response rates to guest messages and queries
If a Superhost fails to meet these criteria, they’ll lose their Superhost status (and consequently bookings/revenue).
Superhosts have a great incentive to provide you with a good stay, not cancel your booking at the last moment, and promptly answer any questions you may have.
Get a Place with Washing Facilities, Wifi, and Air Conditioning
There are few commercial laundries in Kiev. If you’re staying for an extended amount of time and want to wash your clothes, we’d suggest choosing accommodation with a washing machine.
If you’re in Kiev for just a few days you probably won’t want to bother buying a local SIM card and signing up for an internet service (although it is very cheap).
If you need to stay connected book an apartment that has Wifi. Most of the Airbnb apartments in Kiev have Wifi. If so, it will state this in Amenities section of the individual Airbnb property listing.
Kiev can get very hot in the summer months. For a comfortable stay, ensure the property you book has air conditioning.
Book a Place with a Kitchen
Most places in Kiev have a kitchen or a kitchenette. It’s always useful to have cooking facilities, especially if you’re staying in Kiev for an extended period.
Having said that, there’s a huge choice of extremely cheap restaurants in Kiev. Eating out in the city isn’t much more expensive than home cooking.
Read Reviews
Before booking a property read reviews from previous guests. You’ll find out detailed information about potential problems such as poor Wifi connections, noisy neighbourhoods, lack of cleanliness etc.
A problem for one guest may be a positive point for another. Being next to a noisy nightclub could be problematic for an elderly guest, but could be a plus point if you’re a younger traveller.
Get an English Speaking Host
You’ll need to meet your Airbnb host at some point, even if it’s just a quick meeting to pick up the keys.
Not all hosts speak good English. We’d recommend getting an Airbnb host that can speak reasonable English. If you have any problems finding the property or are running late at least you’ll be able to call them and explain your situation.
Don’t rule out the importance of this advice. Many apartments in Kiev are quite difficult to find. The actual entrance may be in a courtyard or around the back of the building. If you’re having problems gaining access or have another problem (delayed flight etc.), it’s best to have a host that can actually understand you.
Use Instant Book to Save Time
Airbnb hosts approve guests before finalising bookings. Many listings are Instant Book. For these properties, most bookers don’t require approval and can book straight away.
Ask for a Discount
If you’re not in a rush and looking to save money, it’s perfectly acceptable to contact the host before booking and ask for a discount.
You’re likely to have more success if some of the following criteria apply:
- The property is new to Airbnb and has few/no reviews
- It’s not peak tourist season (i.e. winter)
- You’re planning an extended stay
- The property is located outside Kiev city centre
- You’re a return visitor and visit Kiev frequently
As return visitors that stay for extended periods, we’ve managed to negotiate discounts on many of our stays in Kiev.
Check the Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policies vary by property and host. Some are more flexible than others regarding notice periods and refunds.
Pay close attention to the property’s cancellation policy, particularly if you think there’s a chance your travel plans may change.
Airbnb Plus
For the ultimate Airbnb experience choose an Airbnb Plus property. These are high-end rentals aimed at the type of traveller that would usually stay in a hotel.
They have extensive facilities and have passed an Airbnb inspection. There are some excellent Airbnb Plus properties in Kiev and prices are extremely reasonable.