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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Bamberg?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bamberg? 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 Bamberg?

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.

Bamberg

Amidst the rolling green hills and clear blue skies, you find yourself in a town that holds a certain magic in the air that leaves you in an intoxicated languor. Quaint, picturesque, charming - from its medieval and baroque architecture to its breathtaking gardens, the romantic flair of Bamberg, Germany is simply spell-binding. One of Europe's largest intact old town centers, Bamberg is located in northern Bavaria, established over 7 hills where the rivers of the Regnitz and Main conjoin. Preserving structures from the 11th to 19th centuries, Bamberg was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1993. The town is filled to the brim with arts and culture, holding the world-renowned Bamberg Symphony Orchestra as well as such festivities as the international magician and street performers' festival. A gorgeous countryside town, Bamberg also provides its guests with many metropolitan amenities such as restaurants, cafes, malls, and antique shops. Whether it be beer gardens or nature parks, Bamberg has it all!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, and The Best Cultural Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Bamberg?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Bamberg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Bamberg, 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 Bamberg?

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 Saint Petersburg or Bamberg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Bamberg. Additionally, many visitors come to Bamberg in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Bamberg. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Bamberg fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bamberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Bamberg. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bamberg receives 217 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Bamberg. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bamberg receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bamberg in the Autumn?

Both Bamberg and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Bamberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bamberg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Bamberg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Bamberg during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Bamberg receives 107 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Bamberg. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bamberg receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bamberg in the Winter?

Both Bamberg and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bamberg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bamberg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bamberg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Bamberg averages at about 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Bamberg. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bamberg receives 42 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bamberg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Bamberg. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bamberg this time of year.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Bamberg. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Bamberg fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Bamberg during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Bamberg receives 156 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Bamberg. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bamberg receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bamberg and Saint Petersburg