Which place is cheaper, London or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and London. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $62, while the average daily cost in London is $236. 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 Moscow and London in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Moscow or London? 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.
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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both London and Moscow 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.
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and London, we can see that London is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Moscow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Moscow 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London than you might in Moscow.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Moscow Expensive? and Is London Expensive?.
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 40% larger than the population of London. When comparing the sizes of Moscow and London, 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.
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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and London. Also, many visitors come to London in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Moscow is generally around the same temperature as London. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 19°C (67°F), and London fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).
In July, Moscow usually receives more rain than London. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Moscow as well as London. Also, most visitors come to London for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Moscow is much colder than London in the autumn. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Moscow usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as London. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both London and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to London because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in London can be very cold. Moscow can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Moscow is much colder than London. Typically, the winter temperatures in Moscow in January average around -8°C (17°F), and London averages at about 4°C (40°F).
In January, Moscow usually receives less rain than London. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
Both London and Moscow during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to London this time of year.
In April, Moscow is generally cooler than London. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 7°C (45°F), and London fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Moscow usually gets less rain in April than London. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
Moscow | London | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |