Which place is cheaper, Bucharest or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Bucharest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bucharest? 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 Bucharest?
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.
Bucharest
Bucharest is the capital and largest city in the country of Romania. With about 2 million residents living in the city and about 2.4 million in the surrounding urban area, it is also one of the largest cities in Southeastern Europe. As such, it is the economic, industrial and commercial center for the country. As a visitor, you will likely enter Romania by arriving in Bucharest. The city continues to grow and change, and there are ongoing infrastructure projects that continue to modernize the city. It is not uncommon to find historic churches on the same block as modern office buildings and Communist style apartment buildings. There are also many sights around town and the city continues to grow as a trendy and fascinating city.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Romania.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Bucharest $137
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Bucharest is $137. 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 Bucharest in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Bucharest $63
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Bucharest $126
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Bucharest
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Bucharest? 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: Bucharest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Bucharest $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
-
Metro Passes$1.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bucharest
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bucharest:
- Tulcea Bucharest Private Transfer: $172
- Transfert Privat București: $60
- Transfers to Danube Port: Bucharest - Navrom Tulcea: $130
- Transfer from Otopeni Airport to Bucharest: $29
- Transfer from Bucharest to Brasov: $163
- Transfer and Full Access All Day at Therme Spa Bucharest : $108
- Transfer Bucharest Otopeni Airport (OTP) to/from Brasov: $244
- Transfer Bucharest Airport to Brasov: $286
- Transfer Airport Otopeni - Bucharest: $43
- Transfer Aeroport Otopeni: $64
- Transfer & Access for 4.5-Hour at Therme Bucuresti: $59
- Therme-entrance ticket and transfer pick-up/drop-off Bucharest: $59
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Bucharest?
Prices for flights to both Bucharest 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
-
Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $18Bucharest $58
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
-
Lunch for Two$4.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bucharest
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bucharest.
- Dinner at the Museum of Communism - Traditional Food Tour: $53
- Bohemian Bucharest Markets and Mahallas Traditional Food Tour: $60
- Street Food Tour with a Local Guide: $62
- Cooking Class traditional food: $65
- Unhealthy Food Tour of Bucharest – 4 hours: $75
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner: $84
- Bucharest Evening Tour and Traditional Dinner - 3 hours: $86
- Private Walking Food Tour - Culture, History & Traditions: $108
- 4-Hour Walking Food Tour in the Old Town: $201
- Bucharest City Tour & Traditional Home-made Cooking Experience: $227
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Bucharest $15
Tours and Activities in Bucharest
Here are a few actual costs in Bucharest for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Bears Sanctuary, Dracula's Castle, Brasov Day Trip Private Tour from Bucharest: $248
- Bucharest Panoramic Sightseeing - Private City Tour: $92
- 1 Day 4x4 Tour in Carpathian Mountains: $172
- 1 Day Castles Tour - Sinaia and Bran: $137
- 100 Bears Sanctuary and Dracula's Castle, Private Tour: $167
- 10h Bucharest City Tour & Snagov Monastery (Dracula's Grave): $257
- 14 Days Private Tour in Romania, Moldova & Transnistria: $4,708
- 2 Days Private Tour - The Romanian Caves from Bucharest: $556
- 2 Hour Photoshoot Experience Near Bucharest Architectural Charms: $98
- 2-Day Medieval Transylvania with Brasov,Sibiu and Sighisoara Tour from Bucharest: $249
- 2-Day Transylvania Short Tour from Bucharest: $445
- 2-Hour Private Walking Tour in Bucharest: $22
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Bucharest $9.17
Sample the Local Flavors in Bucharest
Also in Bucharest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekend Pub Crawl: $23
- Bucharest Pub Crawl in the Old Town: $25
- Pub Crawl Bucharest Top experience in Bucharest: $32
- Bachelors Party in Custom Bar Crawl: $37
- Private Bar Crawling in Bucharest Old City: $42
- Private Wine Tasting in Bucharest: $43
- From Romanian Wine Tasting Tour: $45
- Pub Crawl in the Old CIty and Rooftop Hopping in Bucharest: $47
- Bucharest VIP Bar Crawl in Lipscani 'Old Town': $59
- Wine Tasting in Bucharest long version: $65
- Bucharest City Tour and Wine Tasting: $84
- Wine Tasting Tour at First Wine Bar: $85
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Bucharest, we can see that Bucharest 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 Bucharest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bucharest 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 Bucharest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Bucharest?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Bucharest. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Bucharest, 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 Bucharest?
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 Bucharest in the Summer?
Both Bucharest and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bucharest because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Bucharest in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Bucharest fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Bucharest, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Bucharest. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 289 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Bucharest. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Bucharest 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bucharest in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Bucharest. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Bucharest this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bucharest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Bucharest averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Bucharest during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Bucharest. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Bucharest 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bucharest in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Bucharest. Also, many travelers come to Bucharest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Bucharest. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Bucharest. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Bucharest fluctuates around -1°C (29°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Bucharest. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bucharest receives 71 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Bucharest. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Bucharest -1°C (29°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Bucharest in the Spring?
Both Bucharest and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bucharest in the spring for the activities around the city.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Bucharest in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Bucharest fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bucharest during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Bucharest receives 185 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Bucharest. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bucharest receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Bucharest 12°C (54°F)
Typical Weather for Bucharest and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Bucharest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -1°C (29°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 43 mm (1.7 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.