Which place is cheaper, Basel or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Basel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Basel? 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 Basel?
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.
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Basel $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Basel 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 Saint Petersburg and Basel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Basel $143
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Basel $286
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Basel
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Basel? 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: Basel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Basel $45
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Round Trip Private Transfer From Basel EuroAirport to Feldberg: $87
- Private transfer from Basel to Strasbourg with a local driver: $233
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Lucerne with a local driver: $177
- Private Transfer: Basel Airport BSL to Zurich in Luxury Van: $261
- Private Transfer from Basel to Zurich with 3h Sightseeing Stops: $251
- Private Transfer From Basel To Bern With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $224
- Private One-way Transfer From Basel to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $186
- Private Direct Transfer from Basel to Zurich: $205
- ONE WAY: Basel Train Station (ZDH) to / from Basel transfer: $88
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Car: $157
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $108
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Basel?
Prices for flights to both Basel 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 $18Basel $61
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Basel $37
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Alpine Majesty: Basel to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $821
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Basel: $650
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Basel : Old Town Walking Tour: $107
- Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- Basel Adventure Tour - The city quiz: $37
- Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour: $27
- Basel City: Private guided Segway Tour: $196
- Basel Family Adventure: Exploring Historic & Artistic Gems: $543
- Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
- Basel History Tour for Groups: $328
- Basel Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Basel $33
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Meet People and Hidden Bars and Clubs: $33
- Pinot Noir & Pinot Wine Tour to Baden-Württemberg: $279
- Fantastic, full day, private wine tour to Alsace!: $285
- Half Day Private Cheese & Wine Tasting in Vineyard in Basel: $289
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Basel, we can see that Basel 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel 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 Basel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Basel?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Basel, 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 Basel?
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 Basel in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Basel. Also, many visitors come to Basel in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Basel. 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 Basel. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Basel 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Basel in the Autumn?
Both Basel and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Basel 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Basel in the Winter?
Both Basel and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Basel because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Basel can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Basel. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Basel 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Basel in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Basel. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Basel this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Basel. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Basel 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Basel and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Basel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.