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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Annecy?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Annecy? 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: Saint Petersburg or Annecy?

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.

Annecy

Annecy is an alpine town in southeastern France, where Lake Annecy feeds into the Thiou River. It's known for its Vieille Ville (old town), with cobbled streets, winding canals and pastel-colored houses. Annecy is situated on a stunning aqua clear lake between the Northern alps of France. Only thirty minutes away from Geneva, Switzerland, this French-Swiss town is unlike any other. Another nickname for this city is the Venice of France because the small center of the city is filled with water passages lined with beautiful flower boxes. The city is romantic because the waterways filled with lights that illuminate the bricks and you feel as if you are in a whole other world with no one around you. The purity of the lake and the beauty of its setting compels Anneciens outdoors - in good weather it seems everyone is hanging out in pavement cafes, mountain-gazing along the lakefront, swimming in the lake, or just aimlessly cycling around it.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Annecy?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Annecy. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Annecy, 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 Saint Petersburg or Annecy?

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 Saint Petersburg or Annecy in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Annecy. Furthermore, many travelers come to Annecy for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Annecy in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Annecy fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Annecy this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Annecy. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Annecy in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Annecy. Additionally, many visitors come to Annecy in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Annecy. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Annecy averages at about 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Annecy. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 127 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Annecy. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Annecy in the Winter?

Both Annecy and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Annecy for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Annecy can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Annecy. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Annecy fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Annecy during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Annecy receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Annecy. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Annecy in the Spring?

Both Annecy and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Annecy because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Annecy in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Annecy fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Annecy. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Annecy receives 174 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Annecy. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Annecy receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Annecy and Saint Petersburg