A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Big Pine Key vs. Saint Petersburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key 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: Big Pine Key or Saint Petersburg?

Big Pine Key

If you are yearning for a slice of paradise without the hustle and bustle of an ever-growing tourist population, the calm, turquoise waters and the untouched sands of Big Pine Key will surely do. Located 100 miles south of Miami and 30 miles north of Key West, this small community huddled in the family of Florida keys is often overlooked by many. However, Big Pine Key is truly a gem for all who seek a tropical vacation as activities like boating, fishing, scuba diving and snorkeling are found throughout the town. Besides its oceanic wonders, Big Pine Key also boasts in containing some of the United States' best seafood restaurants. Enjoy the aquatic wonders of the Keys and stop at Big Pine Key!

Saint Petersburg

Located at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula of Florida, Saint Petersburg is a city known for its pleasant weather, coastal activities, and downtown arts scene. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City," Saint Petersburg is also a popular location for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing in addition to the usual entertainment options to be found in a thriving city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America, The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, and The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Big Pine Key and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Big Pine Key much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Big Pine Key would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Big Pine Key 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Big Pine Key.

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

Which is Bigger, Big Pine Key or Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Big Pine Key. When comparing the sizes of Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key 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 Big Pine Key or Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Big Pine Key and Saint Petersburg. Also, many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Big Pine Key is generally around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In Big Pine Key, it's very sunny this time of the year. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during summer. Big Pine Key gets 328 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

Saint Petersburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Big Pine Key gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Big Pine Key as well as Saint Petersburg. Also, most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene during these months.

Big Pine Key is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Big Pine Key averages around 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Big Pine Key this time of the year. In the autumn, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Big Pine Key gets 258 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 234 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Big Pine Key usually gets more rain in October than Saint Petersburg. Big Pine Key gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

Both Saint Petersburg and Big Pine Key are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In the winter, Big Pine Key is a little warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Big Pine Key in January average around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Big Pine Key. Big Pine Key usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during winter. Big Pine Key gets 252 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Big Pine Key usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Big Pine Key gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Big Pine Key or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

Both Saint Petersburg and Big Pine Key during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the beaches are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year.

In April, Big Pine Key is generally a little warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Big Pine Key average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Big Pine Key. In the spring, Big Pine Key often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Big Pine Key gets 326 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 299 hours of full sun.

Big Pine Key usually gets less rain in April than Saint Petersburg. Big Pine Key gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Big Pine Key