Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Bologna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bologna? 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 Bologna?
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.
Bologna
Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Bologna $170
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Bologna is $170. 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 Bologna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Bologna $93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Bologna $186
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Bologna
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Bologna? 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: Bologna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Bologna $22
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 Bologna
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
- Tour Ferrari, Lambo, Parmesan, Vinegar, Wine with Transfer: $503
- Siena: Private Round-Trip Transfer from/to Bologna Airport: $690
- Ravenna/Cruise Port to Torcello (water taxi) - Arrival Transfer: $178
- Ravenna port to Ravenna hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $92
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Venice,Piazzale Roma Roundtrip Transfer: $240
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Venice + water taxi - Arrival Transfer: $159
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Murano + water taxi -RoundTrip Transfer: $300
- Ravenna or Cruise Port to Burano + water taxi - Arrival Transfer: $163
- Ravenna city or Cruise Port to Bologna Airport(BLQ) - Departure Private Transfer: $113
- Ravenna Port to Ravenna Hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
- Ravenna Cruise Port to Venice + water taxi- Round Trip Transfer: $290
- Ravenna Cruise Port to Rome Hotels Arrival Private Transfer: $288
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Bologna?
Prices for flights to both Bologna 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 $18Bologna $42
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
- Virtual Cooking Class: Ravioli variations with classic tomato sauce: $35
- Bologna Food Tour including Tagliatelle, Mortadella, Wine: $57
- Bologna Traditional Home Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner: $73
- Exclusive Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $74
- Exclusive Bologna Cooking Class - Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu & Spritz: $75
- Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal: $80
- Traditional Recipes Cooking Class with Local Wines: $82
- Hands on Home Cooking Class: $84
- Walking Food Tour with a Local Guide: $84
- Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit: $84
- Tastes & Traditions of Food Tour with Market Visit: $86
- Bologna traditional food tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $92
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Bologna $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
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Food Tour (for 2)$34
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Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)$123
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Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)$72
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National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)$13
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Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)$13
Tours and Activities in Bologna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
- the red medieval pearl and its delicious food (private tour): $284
- 2 Hours Bologna Guided Private Tour for Kids and Families : $179
- 2-Hour Bike Tour to Discover Bologna's Squares and Monuments: $147
- 2-Hour Walking Tour Discovering the "Musical" Side of Bologna: $71
- 2.5-hour Bologna City and University Walking Tour: $131
- 3 hours walking tour with tastings: Bologna "La Grassa": $185
- Art and taste tour: from Magnani Rocca to Parma ham: $210
- BOLOGNA FOOD WALKING TOUR (morning or evening PRIVATE tour): $207
- Best of Private & Personalised Walking Experience: $81
- Best walking tour of Bologna: $158
- Bike Tour Bologna: $142
- Bologna - Old Town Private Historic Walking Tour: $374
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Bologna $30
Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
- Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $38
- From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $53
- Monte San Pietro: Montevecchio Isolani Tour & Wine Tasting: $53
- Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $69
- Wine Tasting Tour in One of the Oldest Inns: $70
- Bologna Wine Tasting in One of the Oldest Inns: $71
- Small-Group Half-Day Wine Tour with Tasting in Dozza Village: $102
- Taste the real Bologna Food and Wine tour: $107
- Wine Tasting Experience with a Local Guide: $118
- Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting: $131
- Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with a local guide : $138
- Italian Wine Tasting on the Panoramic Terrace in Bologna: $163
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Bologna?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Bologna, 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 Bologna?
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 Bologna in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Bologna. Additionally, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. 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 Bologna. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Bologna 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bologna in the Autumn?
Both Bologna and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Bologna. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Bologna 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bologna in the Winter?
Both Bologna and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bologna can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Bologna 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bologna in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Bologna. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Bologna. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bologna 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)Bologna 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Bologna and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Bologna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 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.