A Travel Price Comparison for Florida Everglades National Park vs. Saint Petersburg for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg can help you decide which place is right for you.

Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park is a adventure-filled, unique, and natural national park. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include hiking.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. It's also popular because of the shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg: Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Good for hiking
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
  • Good for backpackers and budget travelers
Things to Consider
  • Less museums and historical sights
  • Less popular for food
  • Less popular for nightlife
  • Less popular for shopping
Pros
  • Popular museums and historical sights
  • Popular for food and cuisine
  • Active nightlife
  • Nice resorts
  • Popular beach
  • Fun shopping
  • Family-friendly
  • Good for couples and romance
Things to Consider
  • Less popular with backpackers


Is there more to do in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Petersburg than Everglades National Park, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Petersburg is better known for its museums, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Everglades National Park is more popular for its hiking and impressive beauty. Everglades National Park is well known for its unique habitats and wildlife such as the friendly manatees. Saint Petersburg is well known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach.

How is Everglades National Park different from Saint Petersburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Saint Petersburg and Everglades National Park. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its historical sights. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Saint Petersburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

Everglades National Park offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. It's worth checking out the Museum of the Everglades, but most visitors prefer to spend their time outdoors exploring the habitats.


Is the Food Better in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Petersburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Everglades National Park offers some easy restaurants to choose from. There are a few casual eateries near the park. The options include taquerias and grills. You'll also find some farm fresh fruit stands on the side of the road and it's definitely worth stopping to pick up a snack.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Nightlife?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is very good for its evening party scene. However, Everglades National Park is not known for nightlife.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Petersburg has a few options to choose from. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

People don't go to Everglades National Park for the nightlife. There are a couple of grills outside of the park, but the nightlife scene is very limited.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Resorts?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is very good for its luxury resorts. However, Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.

Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Everglades National Park is not a resort destination.


Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Beaches?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is an unbeatable place for the beach. However, Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Saint Petersburg is a very popular vacation destination. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Everglades National Park is not a beach destination.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Hiking?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Everglades National Park is great for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Everglades National Park for the hiking trails. The trails take you through a variety of habitats and range in length from short nature walks to longer, in depth hikes. Do be aware that the insects can be brutal. Mosquitos and biting flies are both common.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is very good for its shopping areas. However, Everglades National Park is not known for shopping.

Saint Petersburg has a variety of shopping areas worth visiting. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Everglades National Park has some shopping areas for those that seek them out. There's a park store, but otherwise the shopping is very limited.


Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Families?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Petersburg. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

Everglades National Park is a family-friendly place to visit. An airboat ride is a highlight for many kids. There's also hiking, kayaking, and even Junior Ranger programs. Do be on the lookout for mosquitoes, which can be relentless in the park.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Couples?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for couples. Also, Everglades National Park is not as popular, but is still a nice national park for romance.

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Everglades National Park is a nice destination for couples. Hiking and enjoying a bit of nature makes for a nice romantic getaway. Go kayaking or take an airboat ride and then enjoy some time exploring the natural setting.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Everglades National Park is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Everglades National Park is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are two drive-in campgrounds (Long Pine Key Campground and Flamingo Campground) that you can reach from the Homestead entrance to the park.

Saint Petersburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but budget travelers will appreciate the affordable accommodation around town.


Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Everglades National Park is not known for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Everglades National Park. There is no real public transportation to the park so an organized tour is your best option if you don't have a vehicle.

Is Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg a more walkable city?

Everglades National Park
Saint Petersburg

Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg are respectable when it comes to walkability.

Everglades National Park is generally not a very walkable national park. While there are hiking trails, to really explore the park you'll want to have a car or take an organized tour.

Saint Petersburg is generally not very walkable. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

For even more information, also check out Is Everglades National Park Worth Visiting? and Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Saint Petersburg or Everglades National Park?

How long in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Everglades National Park, and 2-4 days is enough time in Saint Petersburg.

Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Everglades National Park. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Petersburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Everglades National Park. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Petersburg that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Everglades National Park if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Petersburg.


  • How many days in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg? Ideal Length of Stay
    Everglades National Park 2-3 
    Saint Petersburg 2-4

One day in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

You'll find around the unique destination of Everglades National Park. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This national park offers a variety of activities to choose from.

With food and shopping around the underrated coastal city of Saint Petersburg, there's plenty to do. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.


A weekend in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

You'll find around the unique national park of Everglades National Park. If you have a weekend, this national park makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

With shopping and museums around the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg, there's plenty to do. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. If you have a weekend, this coastal city makes for a great vacation.A weekend is usually enough time to experience most activities. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Five days in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

Everglades National Park is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled coastal city of Saint Petersburg. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people come for the beaches. One of the main draws to the area is the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

Everglades National Park is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Saint Petersburg is a great place to explore. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.


For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Everglades National Park?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Everglades National Park is $146, 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 Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Everglades National Park $80
    Saint Petersburg $127
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Everglades National Park $160
    Saint Petersburg $254
Compare Hotels in Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park


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: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Everglades National Park $56
    Saint Petersburg $47

Is it cheaper to fly into Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Everglades National Park 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
    Everglades National Park $31
    Saint Petersburg $49

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.
    Everglades National Park $28
    Saint Petersburg $13

Tours and Activities in Everglades National Park

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Everglades National Park.

  • 2 Hour Chokoloskee Island Kayak Tour: $80
  • 4 Hour Everglades Kayak Tour: $120
  • 6 Hour Everglades Mangroves Kayak Tour: $200
  • Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour (2 hours): $120
  • Everglades National Park Small Group Guided Boating & Walking Tour Expedition: $200
  • Flamingo Everglades Boat Tours: $48
  • Small Group Boat, Kayak and Walking Guided Eco Tour in Everglades National Park: $200
  • Small-Group Everglades Boating Kayaking and Walking Eco Tour: $200
  • Two-Hour Everglades National Park Dolphin, Birding and Wildlife Boat Tour: $120

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Everglades National Park $7.86
    Saint Petersburg $41


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Everglades National Park much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Everglades National Park would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park.

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



When is the best time to visit Everglades National Park 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 Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

Both Saint Petersburg and Everglades National Park are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Everglades National Park because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year.

In the summer, Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Everglades National Park in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during summer. Everglades National Park gets 316 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. It's quite rainy in Everglades National Park. In July, Everglades National Park usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Everglades National Park gets 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Everglades National Park 82°F (28°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

Both Saint Petersburg and Everglades National Park during the autumn are popular places to visit. The hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Everglades National Park this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene.

In October, Everglades National Park is generally around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Everglades National Park average around 78°F (26°C), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 76°F (24°C).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Everglades National Park. In the autumn, Everglades National Park often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Everglades National Park gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 234 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Everglades National Park. Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in October than Saint Petersburg. Everglades National Park gets 5.6 inches (143 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Everglades National Park is the hurricane season. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Everglades National Park 78°F (26°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Everglades National Park and Saint Petersburg. Many travelers come to Everglades National Park for the museums and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Everglades National Park is a little warmer than Saint Petersburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Everglades National Park averages around 67°F (19°C) in January, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In Everglades National Park, it's very sunny this time of the year. Everglades National Park usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during winter. Everglades National Park gets 243 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 200 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Everglades National Park usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Petersburg. Everglades National Park gets 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Everglades National Park 67°F (19°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Everglades National Park or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Everglades National Park as well as Saint Petersburg. Many visitors come to Everglades National Park in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches during these months.

In the spring, Everglades National Park is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Everglades National Park in April average around 74°F (24°C), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Everglades National Park this time of the year. In the spring, Everglades National Park often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Saint Petersburg. Everglades National Park gets 300 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 299 hours of full sun.

Everglades National Park usually gets more rain in April than Saint Petersburg. Everglades National Park gets 3.1 inches (78 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Everglades National Park is June to November. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Everglades National Park 74°F (24°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Everglades National Park

Everglades National Park Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 67°F (19°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 68°F (20°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 71°F (22°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 74°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (162 mm) 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 81°F (27°C) 9.4 inches (238 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 5.9 inches (149 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 83°F (28°C) 7.5 inches (191 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 82°F (28°C) 7.6 inches (194 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 78°F (26°C) 5.6 inches (143 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 73°F (23°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 69°F (21°C) 1.9 inches (48 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)