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

Should you visit Hydra or Saint Petersburg?

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

Should I visit Hydra or Saint Petersburg? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Hydra or Saint Petersburg?

Hydra

The island of Hydra is located in the Aegean Sea between the Saronic and Argolic Gulfs. Named for its natural springs, the island now has most of its freshwater imported from the mainland. The real gem of the place is the absence of motorized vehicles. Car and scooters are nowhere to be seen by the narrow marble-cobbled lanes, rocks, and sea. Such vehicles have been outlawed and so the way to navigate the island is by donkey, water taxi, or on foot.

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 Historical Tours in Greece, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece.

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

Which is Bigger, Hydra or Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 1770 times larger than the population of Hydra. When comparing the sizes of Hydra 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 Hydra 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 Hydra or Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Hydra as well as Saint Petersburg. The summer months attract visitors to Hydra because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Hydra is much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Hydra in July average around 27°C (81°F), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 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 Hydra this time of the year. In the summer, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Hydra gets 357 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 267 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets less rain in July than Saint Petersburg. Hydra gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

Both Saint Petersburg and Hydra are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Hydra this time of year.

In October, Hydra is generally much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Hydra average around 19°C (67°F), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hydra. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during autumn. Hydra gets 206 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 70 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Hydra usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Hydra gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Hydra or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

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

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Hydra is much warmer than Saint Petersburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Hydra averages around 10°C (51°F) in January, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around -8°C (18°F).

In the winter, Hydra often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Hydra gets 143 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 22 hours of full sun.

Hydra usually gets more rain in January than Saint Petersburg. Hydra gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Hydra or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Hydra and Saint Petersburg. Many visitors come to Hydra in the spring for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Hydra is much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Hydra in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 4°C (40°F).

In Hydra, it's very sunny this time of the year. Hydra usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during spring. Hydra gets 226 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Hydra usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Hydra gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Hydra