Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Athens or Saint Petersburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Saint Petersburg. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Saint Petersburg?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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 10-Day Tours in Greece, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €127Saint Petersburg €59
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €127, while the average daily cost in Saint Petersburg is €59. 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 Athens and Saint Petersburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Saint Petersburg €34
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Saint Petersburg €68
Compare Hotels in Athens and Saint Petersburg
Looking for a hotel in Athens 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.
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: Athens Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Saint Petersburg €6.84
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 8 persons: $141
- VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 4 persons: $89
- VIP High Class Limos & Chauffeurs Transfer to Athens: $65
- VIP Ferry Ticket from Piraeus Port To Mykonos & Private Transfer included: $249
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Athens HTL-APT (ATH): $63
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Athens APT-HTL (ATH): $63
- Transfer from/to Piraeus Port and Athens city centre hotel: $40
- Transfer from/to Athens International Airport to city centre: $125
- Transfer from/to Athens Airport and Athens City Centre: $196
- Transfer from RAFINA PORT to ALL ATHENS & PIRAEUS HOTELS, up to 4 customers: $97
- Transfer from Piraeus port to Athens Airport and Vice Versa 22:30PM - 06:29AM: $123
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to PIRAEUS HOTELS, up to 8 customers: $88
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes€1.26
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Saint Petersburg?
Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Athens 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
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Food Meals for one dayAthens €37Saint Petersburg €17
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $24
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $26
- Street Food Tour Market & City Centre: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $46
- Greek Street Food Tour: $51
- Middle-eastern Cuisine Cooking Class with Meal: $52
- Street Food Tour with Local Guide and 7 Tastings: $57
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $60
- Greek Traditional Vegan Cooking Class with Meal: $63
- Alternative, truly authentic food tour in secret Athens: $63
- Oriental Kitchen Cooking Classes in Athina: $64
- Street Food Tour with 7 Tastings: $64
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two€4.32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Saint Petersburg €17
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Ancient Corinth Canal Epidavrous Nafplio Private Tour 8Hours: $180
- Apostle Paul's Footsteps in Athens Christian Private Tour 5Hours: $150
- Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruiser: $75
- Athens Private Day Tour Best place to visit: $272
- DELPHI and THERMOPYLAE: Full Day Private Tour Visit Arachova 8 H: $203
- EPIDAURUS & NAFPLIO : Private Full Day Tour From Athens 6 Hours : $173
- Essential Athens Highlights Half-Day Private Tour with Flexible Options: $259
- Highlights Athens History Tour: $36
- Layover Private Tour in Athens: $245
- Mycenae Lions Gate Epidaurus & Nafplio Full Day Private Tour 8H : $191
- Private Full Day Tour in Delphi: $212
- Self-Guided Tour at the Romantic Island of Hydra from Athens: $283
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Saint Petersburg €9.09
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $17
- Greek Wine Tasting: $23
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Pub Crawl: $26
- Athens Speakeasy & Alternative Bar Crawl: Discover Hidden Gems: $38
- Greek Wine Tasting Experience with a Sommelier: $43
- Old Town Athens Wine Tasting: $52
- Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $52
- Greek food and wine tasting: $53
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $53
- Wine Tasting with a Sommelier under the Acropolis: $59
- Wine Tasting and Storytelling in a Historical Square in Athina: $60
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $61
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Athens and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Athens is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Athens would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Athens than you might in Saint Petersburg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Athens Expensive? and Is Saint Petersburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Saint Petersburg?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Athens. When comparing the sizes of Athens 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.
When is the best time to visit Athens or Saint Petersburg?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Athens or Saint Petersburg in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Saint Petersburg. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
In July, Athens is generally much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In Athens, it's very sunny this time of the year. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 267 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Athens or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Athens as well as Saint Petersburg. Many travelers come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Athens is much warmer than Saint Petersburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 70 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in October than Saint Petersburg. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Athens or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?
Both Saint Petersburg and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Saint Petersburg averages at about -8°C (18°F).
Athens usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 22 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)
Should I visit Athens or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?
Both Saint Petersburg and Athens during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In April, Athens is generally much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 180 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Saint Petersburg. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Athens
| Athens | Saint Petersburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
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.