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

Should you visit Chania or Saint Petersburg?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Chania 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: Chania or Saint Petersburg?

Chania

Chania is a city on the northwest coast of the Greek island of Crete. Chania is Crete's most evocative city, with its pretty Venetian quarter, crisscrossed by narrow lanes, culminating at a magnificent harbor. At the harbor entrance is a 16th-century lighthouse with Venetian, Egyptian, and Ottoman influences. On the other side, the Nautical Museum has model ships, naval objects and photographs. The former monastery of St. Francis houses the Archaeological Museum of Chania. Remnants of Venetian and Turkish architecture abound, with old townhouses now transformed into atmospheric restaurants and boutique hotels. Although all this beauty means the old town is packed with tourists in summer, it's still a great place to unwind. The Venetian Harbor is super for a stroll and a coffee or cocktail. Plus it’s got a university and a modern area to the city, which means that it retains its charm in winter. Indie boutiques and an entire lane dedicated to leather products provide good shopping and, with a multitude of creative restaurants, you’ll likely have some of your best meals on Crete here.

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 Adventure Tours to Greece, and The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Greece.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Chania?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Chania is €93, 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 Chania and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Chania 46
    Saint Petersburg 34
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Chania 92
    Saint Petersburg 68
Compare Hotels in Chania and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Chania 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 Chania


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: Chania Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Chania 15
    Saint Petersburg 6.84

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Chania

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Chania:

  • VIP transfer from Chania to Rethymno: $104
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Paleochora up to 3 or vise versa: $198
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Kolymbari up to 3 or vise versa: $104
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Georgioupolis up to 3 : $105
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Elafonisi up to 3 or vise versa: $222
  • Transfer from Chania airport to Agia Marina up to 3 customers: $70
  • Samaria Gorge: Private Transfer Tour: $202
  • Private Transfers from Chania Airport to Rethymno center one way : $145
  • Private Transfer from Georgioupolis to Heraklion Airport: $126
  • Private Transfer from Chania city Hotels to Heraklion Cruise Port: $76
  • Private Transfer from Chania Hotels to Chania Souda Cruise Port: $23
  • Private Transfer minivan transport in Creta: $614

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    1.26

Is it cheaper to fly into Chania or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Chania 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
    Chania 32
    Saint Petersburg 17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Chania

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Chania.

  • The Delicious Chania PRIVATE Street Food Tour : $87
  • CHANIA WALKING FOOD TOURS – 3 HOUR WALKING TOUR: $107
  • CHANIA CRETE COOKING CLASSES – 3 HOURS: $107
  • Chania Cooking Class-The Authentic: $117
  • Guided Walking Food Tour with Tasting: $123
  • From The Ultimate Food Tour Of Chania Villages: $123
  • Wine, Food, and Sunset Tour with 3-Course Dinner: $127
  • From Agioi Theodoroi Catamaran Dinner Cruise: $127
  • Sunset Craft Beer & Food Tour - Chania: $130
  • Eat & Crete - Food Tour [out of the box]- Chania White Mountains: $195
  • Horse riding,falasarna sunset,dinner in a tavern,drone video: $213

Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    4.32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Chania 21
    Saint Petersburg 17

Tours and Activities in Chania

Here are a few actual costs in Chania for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cretan Night Show Tour From Rethymnon: $53
  • Private Tour to Elafonisi and Falasarna: $130
  • Seitan Limania - Marathi private Jeep tour with SUP & lunch: $173
  • 6-Hours Safari Tour in Damnoni and Skinaria Beach, from Plakias: $37
  • All Day Family Tour to Rethymno & Kournas Lake | JMP Tours: $351
  • All Inclusive Full-day Private Tour of Crete Villages from Chania: $276
  • Amazing Crete - Elafonisi, Day Tour: $555
  • Authentic Wine & Food Tastings - PRIVATE Walking Tour with Lunch: $157
  • Avra, full day sailing cruise: $746
  • Avra, half - day sailing cruise: $533
  • Balos & Falassarna Beach - Jeep Tour with Loungers and Lunch: $163
  • Chania Alternative Sunset Bike Tour: $47

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Chania 18
    Saint Petersburg 9.09

Sample the Local Flavors in Chania

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Chania:

  • Cretan wine tasting, hosted in French: $91
  • Milia Mountain Tour w/Lunch Olive Oil/Wine Tastings: $144
  • Wines, Olives, and History: A Private Wine Tour from Chania: $788


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Chania and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Chania 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 Chania would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Chania 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 Chania Expensive? and Is Saint Petersburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Chania or Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Chania. When comparing the sizes of Chania 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 Chania or Saint Petersburg?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Chania or Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Chania as well as Saint Petersburg. Many visitors come to Chania in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Chania is generally a little warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 26°C (80°F), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Chania this time of the year. In the summer, Chania often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Chania gets 380 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 267 hours of full sun.

Chania usually gets less rain in July than Saint Petersburg. Chania gets 1 mm (0 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Chania 26°C (80°F) 
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Chania or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

Both Saint Petersburg and Chania are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Chania for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, and the shopping scene during these months.

Chania is much warmer than Saint Petersburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Chania averages around 20°C (68°F) in October, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Chania usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during autumn. Chania gets 198 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 70 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Chania usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Chania gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Chania 20°C (68°F) 
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Chania or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

Both Saint Petersburg and Chania during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Chania because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Chania is much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Chania in January average around 12°C (54°F), and Saint Petersburg averages at about -8°C (18°F).

In the winter, Chania often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Chania gets 118 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 22 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Chania. Chania usually gets more rain in January than Saint Petersburg. Chania gets 142 mm (5.6 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Chania 12°C (54°F) 
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)

Should I visit Chania or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Chania and Saint Petersburg. The beaches and the activities around the city are the main draw to Chania this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Chania is generally much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Chania average around 17°C (62°F), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In Chania, it's very sunny this time of the year. Chania usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during spring. Chania gets 237 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Chania usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Petersburg. Chania gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Chania 17°C (62°F) 
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Chania

Chania Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 12°C (54°F) 142 mm (5.6 in) -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in) -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 14°C (56°F) 81 mm (3.2 in) -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 17°C (62°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
May 20°C (69°F) 13 mm (0.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 25°C (76°F) 5 mm (0.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 26°C (80°F) 1 mm (0 in) 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Aug 26°C (79°F) 2 mm (0.1 in) 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 24°C (75°F) 19 mm (0.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 20°C (68°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 17°C (62°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 14°C (57°F) 94 mm (3.7 in) -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)