A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Destin vs. Saint Petersburg for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Destin or Saint Petersburg?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Destin and Saint Petersburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Destin or Saint Petersburg?

Destin

An upscale resort town located on the Florida Panhandle, Destin is best known for its white sand beaches and clear green waters, golfing opportunities, and world renowned fishing. The stretch of beach here (on a peninsula between the Gulf of Mexico and the Choctawhatchee Bay) is nicknamed Florida's Emerald Coast.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Destin?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Destin is $192, while the average daily cost in Saint Petersburg is $204. 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 Destin and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Destin $111
    Saint Petersburg $127
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Destin $222
    Saint Petersburg $254
Compare Hotels in Destin and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Destin 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 Destin


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: Destin Hotel Prices and Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Destin $50
    Saint Petersburg $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Destin or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Destin 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
    Destin $51
    Saint Petersburg $49

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Destin

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

  • 3 Hour Destin Dinner Cruise: Solaris Yacht in Miramar Beach: $121
  • Sunset Island Dinner -- A Top Ten Area Attraction: $575

Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:


  • Burger Dinner (for 2)
    $20
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $37
  • Gelato (for 2)
    $8.00
  • Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)
    $17

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Destin $17
    Saint Petersburg $13
Typical Entertainment prices in Destin

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Destin are as follows:


  • 1 Day Rental Umbrella and Chairs
    $40

Tours and Activities in Destin

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Destin are as follows:

  • TIKI Crab Island and Dolphin Cruise: $60
  • 1 Hour and 30 Minutes Harbor Sightseeing Cruise from Destin: $60
  • 2 Hours Guided Afternoon Dolphin Tour in Florida: $38
  • 30A Axe Throwing Experience in Santa Rosa Beach: $30
  • 4hr Crab Island Tour departing from Baytowne/Sandestin: $100
  • 90 Minutes Sunset Cruise in Destin Harbor: $77
  • Captained Crab Island Tiki Cruise: $60
  • Captained Tiki Boat Crab Island Sunset & Harbor Lights Tour: $60
  • Clear Kayak Adventure in Fort Walton Beach : $69
  • Clear Kayak Ecotour Destin Ft. Walton Beach: $69
  • Clear Kayaking Eco Adventure Tour in Marianna: $72
  • Crab Island Dolphin Jetski Adventure : $213

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Destin $49
    Saint Petersburg $41


When comparing the travel costs between Destin and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

Which is Bigger, Destin or Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg is bigger, and its population is about 20.3 times larger than the population of Destin. When comparing the population of Destin vs. 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 and the activities that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Destin 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 Destin or Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Destin as well as Saint Petersburg. The summer months attract visitors to Destin because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

Destin is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. Destin receives a lot of rain in the summer. Destin usually gets less rain in July than Saint Petersburg. Destin gets 7.4 inches (189 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Destin 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Destin or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

Both Saint Petersburg and Destin are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Destin this time of year.

In the autumn, Destin is cooler than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Destin in October average around 69°F (21°C), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 76°F (24°C).

It's quite rainy in Destin. In October, Destin usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Destin gets 4.2 inches (107 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Destin 69°F (21°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Destin or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

Both Saint Petersburg and Destin during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Destin for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In January, Destin is generally cooler than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Destin average around 50°F (10°C), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Destin. Destin usually gets more rain in January than Saint Petersburg. Destin gets 4.6 inches (117 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Destin 50°F (10°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Destin or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Destin and Saint Petersburg. Many visitors come to Destin in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Destin is cooler than Saint Petersburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Destin averages around 68°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

In April, Destin usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Destin gets 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Destin 68°F (20°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Destin

Destin Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 50°F (10°C) 4.6 inches (117 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 54°F (12°C) 5.4 inches (137 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 60°F (16°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 68°F (20°C) 3.4 inches (87 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 74°F (23°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 80°F (27°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 7.4 inches (189 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 7.4 inches (188 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 79°F (26°C) 5.3 inches (135 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 69°F (21°C) 4.2 inches (107 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 61°F (16°C) 3.5 inches (90 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 54°F (12°C) 4.3 inches (109 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)


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.
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Destin vs. Saint Petersburg Travel Comparison

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