Due to the ongoing military conflict in the Ukraine, along with sanctions and boycotts, it is not recommended to travel to Russia.
How much does it cost to travel to Saint Petersburg?
You should plan to spend around $63 (₽5,904) per day on your vacation in Saint Petersburg. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.
Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:
- $18 (₽1,708) on meals
- $7.29 (₽680) on local transportation
- $72 (₽6,696) on hotels
A one week trip to Saint Petersburg for two people costs, on average, $886 (₽82,656). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.
All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.
Independent Travel
Traveling Independently to Saint Petersburg has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.
All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.
Is Saint Petersburg expensive to visit?
Saint Petersburg is a reasonably affordable place to visit. Located in Russia, which is a reasonably affordable country, visitors will appreciate the relatively low cost of this destination. It is in the top 10% of cities in the country for its overall travel expenses. If you're traveling on a budget, then this is a good destination with affordable accommodation, food, and transportation.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Saint Petersburg is a reasonably affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 25% of cities in Europe for its affordability. You can find more affordable cities such as Novi Sad, but there are also more expensive cities, such as Avignon.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Saint Petersburg Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Saint Petersburg?
The average Saint Petersburg trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Saint Petersburg travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.
|
Category
|
Cost
|
|
Accommodation 1
(Double Occupancy)
|
₽6,696
($72)
|
|
Local Transportation 1
|
₽680
($7)
|
|
Food 2
|
₽1,708
($18)
|
|
Entertainment 1
|
₽1,692
($18)
|
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|
Alcohol 2
|
₽452 -
1,355
($5 - 15)
|
Accommodation Budget in Saint Petersburg
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid for one person for accommodation in Saint Petersburg is $36 (₽3,348). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in Saint Petersburg is $72 (₽6,696). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
Transportation Budget in Saint Petersburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The cost of a taxi ride in Saint Petersburg is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.29 (₽680) per person, per day, on local transportation in Saint Petersburg.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$7.29
₽680
How much does it cost to go to Saint Petersburg? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Saint Petersburg will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Typical prices for Transportation in Saint Petersburg are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Saint Petersburg, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Food Budget in Saint Petersburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While meal prices in Saint Petersburg can vary, the average cost of food in Saint Petersburg is $18 (₽1,708) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in Saint Petersburg should cost around $7.32 (₽683) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Saint Petersburg is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$18
₽1,708
Typical prices for Food in Saint Petersburg are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in Saint Petersburg, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.
Entertainment Budget in Saint Petersburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Entertainment and activities in Saint Petersburg typically cost an average of $18 (₽1,692) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$18
₽1,692
Alcohol Budget in Saint Petersburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
The average person spends about $9.68 (₽904) on alcoholic beverages in Saint Petersburg per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
-
Alcohol2
Drinks for one day
$9.68
₽904
Water Budget in Saint Petersburg
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, people spend $0.65 (₽61) on bottled water in Saint Petersburg per day. The public water in Saint Petersburg is considered safe to drink.
-
Water2
Bottled water for one day
$0.65
₽61
Saint Petersburg On a Budget
St. Petersburg, Russia
Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.
St. Petersburg has a humid continental climate. It can snow as late as April or even May and it is not uncommon to see sludge that lingers from the melted snow. June is the peak of the tourist season because it is famous for the White Nights when the sun sets for only a short period of time and the streets stay active throughout the night. During the latter part of the month there are performances, concerts, and festivals. The weather is warmest between the months of July and early September. Rain is not uncommon during this time. Winters are cold, but the advantage is that there are almost no tourists during these months. The snow can be beautiful but the temperatures often drop to -25 degrees Celsius with a cold wind chill.
Sights
While some of the best experiences in Saint Petersburg involve simply getting lost in the city, there are some true highlights that you shouldn't miss. Definitely make a point of visiting the
Hermitage Museum, with its many fascinating items and stories. There is also the Russian Museum, the Peter and Paul Fortress, and the Admiralty which is not open to visitors, but worth viewing from the outside none the less. Also make a point of heading to the astern end of Nevskiy Prospekt next to the River Neva to visit Alexander Nevskiy Monastery. Here you will find Tikhvin Cemetery, which has tombs for some of the world's greatest composers. If you want to see a traditional Russian style church head to the Church of the Saviour on Spilled Blood. It was built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated in 1881 and inside you will find some elaborate and impressive mosaics. For more information and details on all of this, check out these
travel tips for Saint Petersburg.
Neighborhoods
At the historical heart of St. Petersburg is Palace Square. Other neighborhoods of interest for tourists in St. Petersburg include Nevsky Prospekt, the Square of the Arts and the Summer Gardens, the Taurida Gardens, the area referred to as "North of Nevsky" and "South of Nevsky", Vasilevsky Island and New Holland.
Activities
There are countless activities and festivals you can enjoy around St. Petersburg. Of particular interest are the opera or ballet. Russia is famous for these arts and the Mariinsky Theater has world class performances regularly. Other options include Mikhailovskiy Theater, St. Petersburg Opera, and the Conservatory Theater. Also look into other music concerts and films while you're in town.
Popular festivals in the city include the White Nights in June, NAVI day in July and New Years, which is the largest holiday in Russia. You can expect large crowds and lots of celebrations at this time of year.
St. Petersburg is also a popular destinations for cruises, especially river cruises. If this is your plan, check out this
Viking River Cruises packing list and tips to make sure that you are prepared for your trip.
Food and Dining
Food in Saint Petersburg is generally expensive, but there are some cheaper options available. If your accommodation has a kitchen, you could also pick up some groceries and save money by preparing your own meals. One local specialty that you should definitely try is the hot Russian crepes with any of a number of toppings including caviar, mushrooms, caramel, or berries. They are typically served with a cup of tea. If you're in town during the winter, then this is particularly good.
Budget restaurant options include cafes that serve pirogies, or Russian style dumplings, several fast food chains, and sandwich cafes that are usually open at lunch. Affordable local chains include Chainaya Lozhka, Yolki-Palki Traktir, Kroshka Kartoshka, and Teremok, among others.
Transportation
The easiest, and probably the fastest way to travel around Saint Petersburg is by subway. The system is quite impressive and many visitors consider it an experience in and of itself. The stations are often elaborately decorated making it more than just a commuter rail. In the past, patrons were not allowed to take pictures, but recently those restriction have been lifted. It is still best to confirm that photography is allowed before you pull out your camera. The subway is the second largest underground rail system in Russia, after Moscow, and the trains are efficient and frequent. If you have to transfer trains then be prepared for a long walk in between.
The tram provides a better view, but is slower than the subway. The price is cheap but it is not the most efficient way to get around the city. Several lines have recently been removed as well.
Buses and trolleybuses are frequent and cheap. They travel to parts of the city that the metro doesn't cover as well as further into the suburbs. The main routes can become quite crowded, particular during rush hour.
Route taxis offer an efficient way to travel somewhere. They're white or yellow in color and marked with the letter K and the route number. They do not have regular stops so you have to let the driver know when you want off. You can wave one down from the road as well.
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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.