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

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Key West or Saint Petersburg?

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

Should I visit Key West 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: Key West or Saint Petersburg?

Key West

Key West is both a city and an island as well as the southern most Florida Key. It is also the southern most city in the continental United States. The island is only about four miles long and one mile wide. The total land mass covers just 4.2 square miles. The most famous street in town is Duval Street, which runs just 1.1 miles from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean. There are 14 blocks. The size of the island doubled during the 1950s when many of the salt ponds along the eastern side of the island were filled in.

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 Key West?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Key West is $441, 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 Key West and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Key West $106
    Saint Petersburg $101
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Key West $212
    Saint Petersburg $202
Compare Hotels in Key West and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Key West 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 Key West


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: Key West Hotel Prices and Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Key West $41
    Saint Petersburg $38
Typical Local Transportation prices in Key West

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Key West:


  • Rental Car for One Day
    $38

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Key West

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Key West:

  • Private Airport Transfer in Key West, Florida: $209
  • Round-Trip Transfer: Fort Lauderdale to Key West: $198
  • Private Arrival Transfer: Key West Airport to Hotel: $116
  • Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Key West Airport: $116
  • Miami & One-Way Transfer by Motor Coach Bus: $54
  • Key West International Airport One Way Transfer: $53

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 Key West or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg and Key West 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
    Key West $308
    Saint Petersburg $39

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Key West

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

  • Key West Sunset Dinner Cruise with Tropical Buffet: $68
  • Sunset Cruise with Buffet Dinner and Open Bar: $90
  • Private Secret Food Tour of Key West: $103
  • Secret Food Tour of Key West w/ Private Tour Option: $221

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.
    Key West $26
    Saint Petersburg $11

Tours and Activities in Key West

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

  • 2 Hour Private Highlights of Key West Walking Tour: $99
  • 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise around Key West: $200
  • 2-Hour Private Sunset Cruise on Tiki Bar Boat in Key West: $457
  • 4-Hour Private Sand Bar Cruise on a Tiki Bar Boat in Key West: $565
  • 6th Sense Haunted Tour of Key West: $25
  • Adults only Champagne Celebration Sunset Cruise from Key West: $79
  • All-Inclusive Water Adventure Excursion in Key West: $129
  • Booze Cruise Key West Private Charter: $248
  • Cultural Walking Tour of Key West with Food and Drink Tastings: $240
  • Do It All Watersports Adventure with Lunch: $148
  • Easy Stroll Audio Tour Downtown Key West: $7.99
  • Florida Keys Afternoon Reef Snorkel & Sail Adventure: $69

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
    Key West $13
    Saint Petersburg $33

Sample the Local Flavors in Key West

Also in Key West, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Key West Haunted Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $23
  • Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl of Key West: $34
  • Key West Pub Crawl: $35

About these numbers

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


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

The summer brings many poeple to Key West as well as Saint Petersburg. The beaches, snorkeling, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Key West this time of year.

In July, Key West is generally around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg. Temperatures in Key West average around 84°F (29°C), and Saint Petersburg stays around 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Key West this time of the year. In the summer, Key West often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Key West gets 328 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 265 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. Key West usually gets less rain in July than Saint Petersburg. Key West gets 3.3 inches (83 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Key West 84°F (29°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Key West or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

Both Saint Petersburg and Key West are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Key West for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Key West is around the same temperature as Saint Petersburg in the autumn. The temperature in Key West is usually 80°F (27°C) in October, and Saint Petersburg stays around 76°F (24°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Key West. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during autumn. Key West gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 234 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It's quite rainy in Key West. In October, Key West usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Key West gets 5.1 inches (129 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Key West 80°F (27°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C)

Should I visit Key West or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

Both Saint Petersburg and Key West during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Key West in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

In the winter, Key West is a little warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Key West in January are around 70°F (21°C), and Saint Petersburg is about 59°F (15°C).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Key West. In the winter, Key West often gets more sunshine than Saint Petersburg. Key West gets 252 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Saint Petersburg receives 200 hours of full sun.

Key West usually gets less rain in January than Saint Petersburg. Key West gets 1.7 inches (43 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Key West 70°F (21°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C)

Should I visit Key West or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Key West and Saint Petersburg. Most visitors come to Key West for the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty during these months.

In April, Key West is generally a little warmer than Saint Petersburg. Temperatures in Key West average around 77°F (25°C), and Saint Petersburg stays around 73°F (23°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In Key West, it's very sunny this time of the year. Key West usually receives more sunshine than Saint Petersburg during spring. Key West gets 326 hours of sunny skies, while Saint Petersburg receives 299 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Key West usually receives less rain than Saint Petersburg. Key West gets 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Key West 77°F (25°C) 
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Key West

Key West Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 70°F (21°C) 1.7 inches (43 mm) 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm)
Feb 71°F (21°C) 1.4 inches (36 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm)
Mar 74°F (23°C) 1.7 inches (42 mm) 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm)
Apr 77°F (25°C) 0.8 inches (21 mm) 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm)
May 81°F (27°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm) 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm)
Jun 83°F (28°C) 4.5 inches (114 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm)
Jul 84°F (29°C) 3.3 inches (83 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm)
Aug 84°F (29°C) 3.9 inches (98 mm) 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm)
Sep 83°F (29°C) 5.7 inches (144 mm) 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm)
Oct 80°F (27°C) 5.1 inches (129 mm) 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm)
Nov 76°F (24°C) 2 inches (50 mm) 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm)
Dec 72°F (22°C) 1.4 inches (35 mm) 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Boca Raton vs. Key West
Boca Raton vs. Saint Petersburg
Cape Canaveral vs. Key West
Cape Canaveral vs. Saint Petersburg
Clearwater vs. Key West
Clearwater vs. Saint Petersburg
Cocoa Beach vs. Key West
Cocoa Beach vs. Saint Petersburg
Daytona Beach vs. Key West
Daytona Beach vs. Saint Petersburg
Destin vs. Key West
Destin vs. Saint Petersburg
Fort Lauderdale vs. Key West
Fort Lauderdale vs. Saint Petersburg
Gainesville vs. Key West
Gainesville vs. Saint Petersburg
Key West vs. Miami
Key West vs. Naples
Key West vs. Orlando
Key West vs. Panama City
Key West vs. Pensacola
Key West vs. Saint Augustine
Key West vs. Sarasota
Key West vs. Tallahassee
Key West vs. Tampa
Key West vs. West Palm Beach
Miami vs. Saint Petersburg
Naples vs. Saint Petersburg
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Key West vs. Saint Petersburg Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.