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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Bonn?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bonn? 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 Bonn?

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.

Bonn

Bonn was the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany (previously, West Germany) and it has a population of about 315,000 people. It sits on the Rhine River just twenty kilometers away from Cologne. Many people travel to Bonn for conferences and business, but Bonn also has a lot of cultural and historical sights to offer visitors. The city is also famous as the birth place of Ludwig van Beethoven. There's a strong student culture in the city as well, and it actually shares many characteristics with Italian cities because of its many cafes and restaurants which line the streets. Outdoor beer gardens are popular and Bonn is a particular good summer destination when the weather is pleasant and you can enjoy the outdoor setting. The city's location also makes it a great base for day trips to Cologne, Dusseldorf, and the Rhine and Eifel regions.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Bonn?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Bonn. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Bonn, 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 Bonn?

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 Bonn in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Bonn. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bonn this time of year.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Bonn. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Bonn during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 191 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Bonn. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bonn in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Bonn. Additionally, many travelers come to Bonn for the shopping scene.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bonn in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Bonn fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Bonn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 109 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Bonn. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bonn in the Winter?

Both Bonn and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bonn in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bonn can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bonn. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Bonn averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Bonn during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Bonn receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Bonn. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bonn in the Spring?

Both Bonn and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Bonn. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Bonn fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Bonn. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bonn receives 145 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Bonn. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bonn receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bonn and Saint Petersburg