Should you visit Cairo or Saint Petersburg?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Cairo and Saint Petersburg can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Cairo
Cairo is the chaotic capital city of Egypt. With a population of more than 16 million, it is one of the largest cities in both Africa and the Middle East. As a traveler, you're likely to arrive and leave from here and you'll get your first orientation to the area during the chaotic and congestion filled taxi ride from the airport.
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 Cairo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Cairo is $40, while the average daily cost in Saint Petersburg is $65. 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 Cairo and Saint Petersburg in more detail.
Accommodation
The average price for accommodation for two people in Cairo is $42. This is for two people sharing a typical double occupancy hotel room.
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $74 in Saint Petersburg For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Cairo costs travelers about $11 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.
Food in Saint Petersburg costs travelers about $19 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
Cairo $11
Saint Petersburg $19
Typical Food prices in Cairo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cairo:
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cairo
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cairo.
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From Dinner & Show at a Nile cruiser:
$12
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Dinner Cruise into the History:
$13
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Delicious food tour in Cairo:
$15
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From Dinner Cruise on the Nile River:
$16
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Enjoy a dinner on the boat in the River Nile.:
$19
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Enjoy a dinner on the boat in the River Nile:
$19
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Cairo 2-Hour Nile River Cruise with Dinner and Pickup:
$20
-
Cairo dinner cruise includes dinner belly dancing show pickup & all transfers:
$21
-
Dinner on a boat in Luxor Nile Cruise with oriental dance:
$21
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Dinner on the river nile and party:
$23
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Nile Cruise Dinner at the Nile with Oriental Show:
$24
-
Dinner on the River Nile with Pick-up:
$25
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
-
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
-
Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour:
$103
-
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
-
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
The cost of a taxi ride in Cairo is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $7.20 per person, per day, on local transportation in Cairo.
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 $7.46 on transportation in Saint Petersburg on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Cairo
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Cairo are as follows:
-
Metro Ride
$0.25
-
Taxi Ride
$0.95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cairo
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cairo:
-
private transfer from Cairo Airport:
$15
-
private pick up or drop off Transfer from Cairo airport to hotel in Cairo or Giza by private ac vechile:
$35
-
pick up from Cairo airport transfer to your request hotel or return:
$44
-
one private transfer from Cairo airport to Cairo or Giza hotel:
$35
-
cairo airport transfer:
$15
-
VIP Meet and Assist upon arrival at Cairo Airport- (with Hotel Private Transfer):
$32
-
Ultra - Private Airport Transfer from Cairo city centre to Cairo Airport CAI:
$8.73
-
Transfers from Cairo to Marsa alam Airport:
$332
-
Transfers From Cairo Airport To Giza City:
$30
-
Transfer your private departure from your hotel to Cairo Airport:
$15
-
Transfer to Cairo Int. Airport:
$21
-
Transfer from hotel in Cairo to Alexandria:
$65
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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Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar:
$80
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Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan:
$39
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Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car:
$61
-
Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED):
$28
-
Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center:
$36
-
Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace:
$37
-
St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car:
$63
-
St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car:
$103
-
St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van:
$89
-
St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED:
$84
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St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED):
$68
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St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer:
$36
Is it cheaper to fly into Cairo or Saint Petersburg?
Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Cairo 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
Entertainment and activities in Cairo typically cost an average of $14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing expenses in Saint Petersburg, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $19 per day, per person.
Typical Entertainment prices in Cairo
Here are a few typical costs in Cairo for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Tours and Activities in Cairo
Here are a few actual costs in Cairo for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
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(Memphis Sakkara, Dahshur Pyramids, Imhotep Museum) Private Tour - From Cairo:
$90
-
01 Day Cairo tour Islamic and Coptic Cairo:
$143
-
01 Day Tour To Giza Pyramids Egyptian Museum And Bazaar:
$217
-
01 Day Tour to Alexandria from Cairo:
$246
-
01 Day Tour to Pyramids Of Giza Memphis And Sakkara:
$86
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01 Day Tour to the Giza Pyramids & Great Sphinx:
$69
-
03 Days Budget tours Cairo Giza Alexandria:
$290
-
04 Days Egypt Royal Tour in Cairo:
$674
-
05 Days Egypt Budget Tour Cairo & Alexandria:
$860
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06 Days Egypt Classic Tour Cairo and Sharm El Sheikh:
$1,543
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06 Nights cruise on The Oberoi Philae (Aswan to Luxor):
$5,965
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07 Days Egypt Classic Tour Cairo, Luxor, Alexandria:
$1,486
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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2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg:
$20
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1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures:
$25
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Mini-Group 2-Day Shore Excursion of St Petersburg Must-Sees and Boat Cruise:
$25
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Saint Petersburg Drawbridges Tour:
$41
-
Half Day Walking Tour Well Courtyards Tour in Saint Petersburg:
$44
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Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison:
$56
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Private Tours:
$64
-
Half Day Bike City Tour in Saint Petersburg:
$75
-
Private Tour of "Erarta" Galleries:
$76
-
St Petersburg Communist walking tour + Museum of Russian political history:
$77
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Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included:
$86
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Revolutionary Petersburg City Tour:
$86
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Cairo may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $2.83 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typically, people visiting Saint Petersburg spend on average $9.92 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cairo and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Cairo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Cairo is in Africa and Saint Petersburg is in Europe, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Cairo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cairo 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 Cairo.
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