Which place is cheaper, Barcelona or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Barcelona?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Barcelona? 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 Barcelona?
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.
Barcelona
Barcelona is the second largest city in Spain with a population of over 1.5 million people. It's also the capital of Catalonia and is located on the northeastern part of the Mediterranean coast. Barcelona is one of the country's most popular travel destinations because of its rich history, interesting architecture, and vibrant culture. Barcelona hosted the 1992 Summer Olympic games and that had a strong influence over tourism in the area. Many different neighborhoods were renovated and rebuilt. Modern design became the norm in many parts of the city, although there is still an old city feel and many efforts at preservation.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Spain, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Barcelona $169
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Barcelona is $169. 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 Saint Petersburg and Barcelona in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Barcelona $104
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Barcelona $208
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Barcelona
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Barcelona? 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: Barcelona Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Barcelona $21
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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10 Trip Metro Ticket$8.45
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Airport Bus$5.42
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Metro$2.27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Barcelona
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Barcelona:
- transfer with wheelchair Accessible from Bcn airport/ port/city: $283
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in Barcelona APT-HTL (BCN): $55
- Transfers from the Airport to the hotel in Barcelona: $53
- Transfers from cruise port to barcelona sants station Private: $35
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Main Train Station( Sants Train Station): $33
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $40
- Transfers From Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $41
- Transfers From Barcelona Sants Train Station to Hotel bcn: $31
- Transfers From Barcelona Cruise Port to Barcelona Airport: $40
- Transfer to Montserrat Monastery from Barcelona: $27
- Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona City - Barcelona Airport (BCN): $33
- Transfer in private vehicle from Barcelona Airport (BCN) - Barcelona City: $33
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Barcelona?
Prices for flights to both Barcelona and Saint Petersburg 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 daySaint Petersburg $18Barcelona $35
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
Typical Food Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of dining costs in Barcelona are as follows:
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Hot Cocoa & Churro$4.50
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Sandwich$1.84
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Baguette & Horchata$4.12
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Tapas on the beach$8.97
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Gelatto$2.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Barcelona
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Barcelona.
- Barcelona Guided Street Food Tour and Gothic Quarter Visit: $21
- Barcelona Street Food Tour with Local Market & City Center Visit: $21
- Flamenco at El Patio Andaluz with Optional Dinner: $27
- Walking Tour + Flamenco + Tapas Dinner (choose options): $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Barcelona with Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Tasty Barcelona Street Food Tour With Local Market Visit : $31
- La Barceloneta: Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Barcelona Street Food Tour: Local Market & Gothic Quarter with Expert Guide: $43
- Barcelona street food tour La Boqueria Market: $50
- Valencia: Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $58
- Wine Tasting and Tapas 5-Course Pairing Dinner: $59
- Paella Cooking Experience & Wine: $59
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Barcelona $36
Typical Entertainment Prices in Barcelona
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Barcelona are as follows:
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Picasso Walking Tour and Museum Pass$45
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Souvenir Gaudi Book$9.26
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Admission to Museo Picasso$6.50
Tours and Activities in Barcelona
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Barcelona are as follows:
- Barcelona Christmas Walking Tour: $29
- Barcelona Sunset Sailing Experience : $129
- Cruise into Barcelona? Get the Most out of Your Visit!: $99
- Girona and Costa Brava with Lunch: VIP Small Group Tour: $189
- Montserrat Mountains Half - Day Private Tour - From Barcelona : $259
- Private Guides Barcelona Tour with Skip The Line in Cathedral: $216
- Private Mountain Bike Tour in Barcelona: $33
- Sagrada Familia "Fast Track" Guided Tour in Barcelona: $105
- Sagrada Familia Comedy Tour: $3.27
- Self-Guided Audio Tour - Legends of the Gothic Quarter: $10
- Skip The Line - Early Picasso Museum and Born Neighborhood: $56
- Sunset Sailing Tour in Barcelona: $75
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Barcelona $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Barcelona
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Barcelona:
- Original Pub Crawl: $13
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Nightlife Party Experience: $16
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by King - The Best Night Out Experience: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery Guided Tour with Tasting: $16
- Night Pub Crawl Tour in Barcelona: $16
- Barcelona Pub Crawl by KING - Free shot and VIP Entry: $16
- Estrella Damm Brewery in El Prat de Llobregat tour with Tasting: $16
- Barcelona Bar Crawl: 4+ Venues, Free shots, Free Club Entry: $19
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Tour with Tasting: $21
- Estrella Damm Old Brewery Barcelona Guided Tour with Beer Tasting: $22
- Nightlife Tour - Barcelona Bar Crawl with Flamingos: $23
- Go out like a local, pub Crawl / Tour in Raval - Barcelona: $24
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Barcelona, we can see that Barcelona 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 Barcelona would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Barcelona 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 Barcelona Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Barcelona?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Barcelona. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Barcelona, 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 Barcelona?
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 Barcelona in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Barcelona. Additionally, most visitors come to Barcelona for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Barcelona. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 308 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Barcelona. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Barcelona 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Barcelona in the Autumn?
Both Barcelona and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Barcelona because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Barcelona in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Barcelona fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 181 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Barcelona 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Barcelona in the Winter?
Both Barcelona and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Barcelona this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Barcelona. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Barcelona averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Barcelona. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Barcelona receives 146 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Barcelona. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Barcelona 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Barcelona in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Barcelona. Also, many travelers come to Barcelona for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Barcelona. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Barcelona fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Barcelona this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Barcelona during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Barcelona receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Barcelona. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Barcelona receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Barcelona 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Barcelona and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Barcelona | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
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.