A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Addis Ababa vs. Saint Petersburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Addis Ababa or Saint Petersburg?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Addis Ababa or Saint Petersburg, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Addis Ababa or Saint Petersburg?

Addis Ababa

Addis Ababa is the capital city of Ethiopia and also the nation's largest when ranked by its population of over three million. There are also more than 120 international missions and embassies in Addis Ababa, making the city a hub for international diplomacy concerning Africa. Other draws include its thriving marketplaces, spicy food, and rich coffee.

Saint Petersburg

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in Ethiopia, and The Best Adventure Tours to Ethiopia.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Addis Ababa?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Addis Ababa is $68, while the average daily cost in Saint Petersburg is $63. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Addis Ababa and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Addis Ababa $44
    Saint Petersburg $36
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Addis Ababa $88
    Saint Petersburg $72
Compare Hotels in Addis Ababa and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Addis Ababa or Saint Petersburg? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Addis Ababa


Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Addis Ababa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Addis Ababa $7.85
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Addis Ababa

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Addis Ababa are as follows:


  • Short Taxi Ride
    $0.53

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Addis Ababa

Also for Addis Ababa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Lalibela Full Day Tour with Guide and Transfer: $175
  • City/Airport Transfers-Addis Ababa: $26
  • City/Airport Transfer in Addis Ababa - Shuttles: $21
  • Addis Shuttles: On-Time & Reliable, Airport Transfers: $19
  • 4 Hours Addis Airport Transfer with Ethiopian Cultural Tour: $299

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Is it cheaper to fly into Addis Ababa or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Addis Ababa change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Addis Ababa $18
    Saint Petersburg $18
Typical Food Prices in Addis Ababa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Addis Ababa:


  • Slice of Cake
    $0.12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Addis Ababa

For Addis Ababa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Half Day Food Tour Addis Ababa With Airport pickUp And Drop-Off: $70
  • Local Ethiopian Food Tour: $75
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa tastever with lunch: $108
  • Private Ethiopian Home Cooking Class in Addis Ababa with Transfer: $124
  • HALF DAY + DINNER Addis Ababa City Tour: $140
  • Half Day + Dinner Addis Ababa City Tour: $150
  • Ethiopian Cooking Class and Coffee Ceremony with a Local in Addis with transfers: $154
  • Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Coffee Ceremony at a Home in Addis Ababa: $168
  • Food Tour in Addis Ababa: $205
  • Food tours in Addis Ababa Ethiopia: $238

Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Addis Ababa $8.10
    Saint Petersburg $18

Tours and Activities in Addis Ababa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Addis Ababa.

  • Airport Layover Tour | Addis highlights, National Palace, Coffee Ceremony: $200
  • 2 Days Awash National Park Safari Tours: $280
  • 3 Day Private Meskel Festival, Addis Ababa City and Debre Libanos Monastery Tour: $300
  • 3 Days Visiting Harar and Dire Dawa Tours: $480
  • 4 Hour Addis Cuisine Tasting Tour: $57
  • 4 Hours Addis Ababa highlights city tour from Bole airport: $75
  • 9 Days Omo Valley and Danakil Danakil Depression tour: $3,831
  • A guided tour of Addis Abeba that includes a city viewpoint: $59
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day City Tour: $180
  • Addis Ababa - Half Day Cultural Experience : $100
  • Addis Ababa Authentic Private City Tour: $75
  • Addis Ababa Bole Airport Culinary and Walking Tour : $69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Addis Ababa $6.69
    Saint Petersburg $9.68

Sample the Local Flavors in Addis Ababa

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Addis Ababa:

  • Pub-crawl Tour ( locally crafted beer and wine tasting ): $58
  • The Pub Crawl Royale: A Battle of the Best Drinks: $64
  • Night Tour Addis Ababa beer and wine tasting: $69


When comparing the travel costs between Addis Ababa and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Addis Ababa is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Addis Ababa is in Africa and Saint Petersburg is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Addis Ababa Expensive? and Is Saint Petersburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Addis Ababa or Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 46% larger than the population of Addis Ababa. When comparing the sizes of Addis Ababa and Saint Petersburg, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.