Should you visit Athens or Saint Petersburg?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare 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. So, let's dig into it.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Athens?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €103, while the average daily cost in Saint Petersburg is €54. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Athens and Saint Petersburg in more detail.
Accommodation
For a normal double-occupancy room in Athens, €102 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Athens, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €51, such as in a hostel.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about €62 in Saint Petersburg For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
In Athens travelers spend around €30 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
Food in Saint Petersburg costs travelers about €16 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
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Food
Meals for one day
Athens €30
Saint Petersburg €16
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:
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Online 1hr Cooking Class: Santorini Tomato Fritters:
$6.22
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Greek Meatballs Private Online Cooking Class:
$27
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Withlocals the 10 Tastings: Athens Private Food Tour with a Local:
$42
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Online Cooking Class: Greek mini cheese pies:
$45
-
Street Culture & Food Tour:
$56
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Afternoon Food Tour:
$56
-
Athens walking and tasting food tour.:
$60
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4-Hour Cooking Class with Market Visit:
$69
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Homemade Gyros cooking class and dinner in Athens for private groups:
$75
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The Classic Food Tour:
$76
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Taste of Half-Day Small Group Food Tour:
$77
-
Greek Phyllo and Pie Cooking Class in Athens:
$77
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Enjoy Russian Delicacies in St Petersburg: Cooking Demo and Meal with a Local:
$80
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Private Dining: Russian dinner in a traditional St. Petersburg apartment:
$91
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Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max):
$92
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Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour:
$103
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Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg:
$107
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Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups:
$109
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FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg:
$150
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Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff:
$166
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Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup:
$179
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Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar:
$187
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Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop:
$188
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Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch:
$212
Local Transportation
Athens's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend €22 per person, per day on transportation in Athens.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Saint Petersburg than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €6.25 on transportation in Saint Petersburg on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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iMove Transfers Services Athens:
$75
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VIP VAN Piraeus Port Transfer 1 - 8 persons or Alimos Kalamaki Marina to Athens:
$61
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VIP VAN Athens Airport Transfer 1 - 4 persons:
$101
-
VIP VAN Airport Transfer 5 - 8 persons:
$105
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VIP Ferry Ticket from Piraeus Port To Mykonos & Private Transfer included:
$167
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VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included:
$174
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VAN Piraeus Port Transfer 1 - 8 persons or Alimos Kalamaki Marina to Athens:
$39
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Ultra - Private Transfer from Athens City Centre to Piraeus Cruise Port:
$9.41
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Ultra - Athens Private Airport Transfer from City Centre to Athens Airport ATH:
$9.41
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Transfers around Athens and city tours:
$373
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Transfers and Guided Tours in all over Greece, sightseeing and Private hire!!:
$106
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Transfer to Loutraki/Corinth from Athens:
$166
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg
Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car:
$103
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St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van:
$89
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St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED:
$84
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Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar:
$80
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St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED):
$68
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St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car:
$63
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Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car:
$61
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Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan:
$39
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Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace:
$37
-
Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center:
$36
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St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer:
$36
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St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer:
$36
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Athens can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around €28 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Sightseeing expenses in Saint Petersburg, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €16 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
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"A Must-See" Anc. Epidaurus, Mycenae & Nafplion Premium Full Day Tour By Locals:
$411
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"Athens city tour":
$270
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"Private tour in Athens":
$243
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''Tour in Athens'':
$118
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1 Day Private Tour Corinth, Cave of Lakes at Kalavrita & Journey by Cog Railway:
$264
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1 Day Private tour to Meteora, visit the Monasteries are lying on the cliffs.:
$317
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1 Day Saronic Islands Cruise:
$168
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10 Day Greek Island Tour: Mykonos, Santorini-Volcano, Crete, Delos, Knossos,:
$2,457
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10 Day Ultimate Ancient Greece Tours Experience:
$2,411
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10 Day to Explore the Best Historical Gems in Greece and tour in Santorini:
$1,798
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10 Days Private Tour: North Greece:
$2,706
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10 Days Private Tour: Peloponnese:
$2,706
Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1-Day Visa-Free Tour in St Petersburg with Faberge Collection:
$265
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1-day private Visa-Free tour in St Petersburg with Peterhof:
$257
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1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures:
$25
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2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg:
$20
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3 Hour Photo Shoot Tours St. Petersburg, Russia:
$564
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Basic 2-day tour in St Petersburg for cruise passengers:
$425
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Catherine Palace and Park: Private tour to Tsarskoe Selo:
$120
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Classic 2 Day Tour of St Petersburg Russia.No hidden costs.9 years of experience:
$349
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Daily Canon Shot at Peter and Paul Fortress + Museum of Revolution Private Tour:
$162
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Essential 2-Day Visa-Free Tour for Cruise Ships in St Petersburg:
$465
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Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included:
$86
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Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison:
$56
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Athens, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €18.
Typically, people visiting Saint Petersburg spend on average €8.31 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
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Athens Walking Tour with Food and Wine Tasting:
$37
-
Virtual Greek Wine Tasting:
$87
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Athens Food and Wine Tasting Tour:
$96
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Wine tasting tour:
$131
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Wine Tasting and Athens Trikke Combo Tour:
$133
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The Best Winery & Tasting Tour in Nemea.Enjoy a unique all day wine tasting tour:
$140
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Private Wine Tasting Experience of Greek Awarded Wines in Athens:
$148
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Premium Wine Tour in Peloponnese -Ancient Corinthos, Nemea - the Land of Myth:
$148
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Athens Private Wine Tasting Tour - Dionysian Grapes:
$149
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Ancient Corinth & Nemea Wine Tasting (up to 15 in a Luxurious Mercedes Minibus):
$151
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Greek Private Wine Tasting:
$166
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Mercedes Private Full-Day Tour, Nafplio, Corinth Canal and Wine Tasting:
$168
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.
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