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

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Should you visit Gainesville or Saint Petersburg?

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

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

Gainesville

Home to the University of Florida as well as Santa Fe College, the town of Gainesville has all of the shopping, entertainment, and restaurants that you could want in a college town - plus easy access to a number of outdoor adventures from canoeing, diving, and kayaking to birding, fishing, hiking, and biking. Some of the top features include the Butterfly Rainforest, the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Kanapaha Botanical Gardens, and Devil's Millhopper Geological State Park.

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 city is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Gainesville?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Gainesville is $172, while the average daily cost in Saint Petersburg is $163. 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. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Gainesville and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Gainesville $95
    Saint Petersburg $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Gainesville $190
    Saint Petersburg $202
Compare Hotels in Gainesville and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Gainesville 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 Gainesville


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: Gainesville Hotel Prices and Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Gainesville $32
    Saint Petersburg $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gainesville

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Gainesville:

  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando-Sanford (SFB) Airport: $676
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Port Canaveral: $658
  • Private Transfer from Gainesville to Orlando (MCO) Airport: $453

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar: $80
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89

Is it cheaper to fly into Gainesville or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Gainesville 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
    Gainesville $56
    Saint Petersburg $39
Typical Food prices in Gainesville

Some typical examples of dining costs in Gainesville are as follows:


  • Diner Breakfast for Two
    $17
  • Lunch at Chop Stix (for 2)
    $24

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

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:

  • 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
  • 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
  • Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups: $109
  • FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg: $150
  • Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff: $166
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup: $179
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar: $187
  • Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop: $188
  • Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch: $212

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Gainesville $16
    Saint Petersburg $11
Typical Entertainment prices in Gainesville

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


  • Manatee Tour for Two
    $98
  • Tour Guide Tip
    $5.00

Tours and Activities in Gainesville

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

  • Butterfly Rainforest at Florida Museum of Natural History Ticket: $14

Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Petersburg.

  • 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
  • 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
  • Mini-Group 2-Day Shore Excursion of St Petersburg Must-Sees and Boat Cruise: $25
  • Saint Petersburg Drawbridges Tour: $41
  • Half Day Walking Tour Well Courtyards Tour in Saint Petersburg: $44
  • Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56
  • 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
  • Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
  • Revolutionary Petersburg City Tour: $86

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Gainesville $39
    Saint Petersburg $33

About these numbers

When comparing the travel costs between Gainesville and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Gainesville 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.


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

The summer brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Saint Petersburg.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg in the summer. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 81°F (27°C) in July, and Saint Petersburg stays around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. Gainesville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Gainesville usually gets less rain in July than Saint Petersburg. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Gainesville 81°F (27°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

Both Saint Petersburg and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Gainesville is cooler than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October are around 71°F (22°C), and Saint Petersburg is about 76°F (24°C).

In October, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Gainesville 71°F (22°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

Both Saint Petersburg and Gainesville during the winter are popular places to visit.

In January, Gainesville is generally cooler than Saint Petersburg. Temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Saint Petersburg stays around 59°F (15°C).

Gainesville usually gets more rain in January than Saint Petersburg. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Gainesville 54°F (12°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Gainesville or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Saint Petersburg.

Gainesville is cooler than Saint Petersburg in the spring. The temperature in Gainesville is usually 69°F (20°C) in April, and Saint Petersburg stays around 73°F (23°C).

In April, Gainesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Saint Petersburg. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Gainesville 69°F (20°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Gainesville

Gainesville Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 54°F (12°C) 2.9 inches (75 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 57°F (14°C) 4.5 inches (115 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 63°F (17°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 69°F (20°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 75°F (24°C) 3.1 inches (79 mm) 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 80°F (26°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 81°F (27°C) 6.8 inches (174 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 81°F (27°C) 8.3 inches (211 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 78°F (26°C) 5.5 inches (139 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 71°F (22°C) 2 inches (51 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 63°F (17°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 56°F (14°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)


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Gainesville vs. Saint Petersburg Travel Comparison

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