Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Moscow?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Moscow or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Moscow and Philadelphia. 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.
Where Should I go: Moscow or Philadelphia?
Moscow
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayMoscow $63Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Moscow is $63, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personMoscow $40Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomMoscow $80Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Moscow and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Moscow or Philadelphia? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Moscow $6.18Philadelphia $28
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Moscow
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
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Two Metro Passes$1.47
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Wonorejo to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tengkerang Barat to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $40
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Rhu to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tanjung Alam to Padang Airport (PDG): $135
- Private Transfer from Tangkerang Utara to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Tampan to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Simpang Tiga to Pekanbaru Airport (PKU): $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tengkerang Tengah: $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tanjung Rhu: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Tangkerang Labuai: $40
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Sukajadi: $43
- Private Transfer from Pekanbaru Airport (PKU) to Sri Meranti: $68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $355
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Moscow or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayMoscow $14Philadelphia $49
Typical Food Prices in Moscow
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$6.00
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Lunch in the Center Market$3.27
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Breakfast for 2$11
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $61
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Moscow $16Philadelphia $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Moscow
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Theater Tickets$13
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Kremlin Entry (2)$11
Tours and Activities in Moscow
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Days Private Tour to See Bull Race and Raflesia Arnoldi Flower: $250
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Ben Franklin Yacht Brunch Cruise with Buffet: $65
- A Magical Christmas Tour in Philadelphia: $558
- Amazing Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Best of Philadelphia Small Group Walking Tour: $104
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $32
- Classic Philadelphia City Bike Tour: $75
- Cocktail Caravan: Philly Walking Bar Tour: $35
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $38
- Discovering Colonial Philadelphia Private Walking Tour: $250
- Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day): $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayMoscow $7.94Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Moscow and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia is more expensive. And not only is Moscow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Moscow is in Europe and Philadelphia is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Moscow or Philadelphia?
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Moscow and Philadelphia, 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 Moscow or Philadelphia?
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 Moscow or Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Moscow are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Moscow is cooler than Philadelphia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Moscow in July average around 19°C (67°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 77°F (25°C).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In July, Moscow usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Moscow gets 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyMoscow 19°C (67°F)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Moscow or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
Both Philadelphia and Moscow during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Moscow is generally much colder than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Moscow average around 6°C (43°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 56°F (14°C).
Moscow usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Moscow gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberMoscow 6°C (43°F)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Moscow or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Moscow and Philadelphia. Also, the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
It's quite cold in Philadelphia in the winter. The weather in Moscow can be very cold. Moscow is much colder than Philadelphia in the winter. The daily temperature in Moscow averages around -8°C (17°F) in January, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
In January, Moscow usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Moscow gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryMoscow -8°C (17°F)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Moscow or Philadelphia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Moscow as well as Philadelphia. Also, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
In the spring, Moscow is much colder than Philadelphia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Moscow in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 52°F (11°C).
Moscow usually gets less rain in April than Philadelphia. Moscow gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilMoscow 7°C (45°F)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Moscow
| Moscow | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.