Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Budapest? 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 Budapest?
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.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Budapest $89
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Budapest is $89. 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 Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Budapest $49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Budapest $98
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Budapest? 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: Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Budapest $10
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 Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride$6.91
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Metro Pass$3.79
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Vienna to Budapest: $702
- T72 Tank Driving with Hummer Transfer: $1,571
- Private transfer from Budapest to Zagreb: $926
- Private transfer from Budapest to Vienna: $585
- Private transfer from Budapest to Prague: $1,054
- Private transfer between Budapest and Vienna: $468
- Private Transfer in Budapest: $76
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Zagreb with 2 hours for sightseeing: $267
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Zadar, Hotel-to-hotel, English-speaking driver: $282
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing, Local Driver: $234
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing: $217
- Private Transfer from Budapest to Vienna with 2h of Sightseeing: $234
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest 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 $18Budapest $23
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 Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch$3.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour / Local delights: $57
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $73
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $85
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $90
- Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
- Hungarian Cooking Class - Foodapest: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Budapest $22
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two$6.77
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- Danube Bend Private All Day Tour with Lunch, with entrance fees and cruise: $163
- E-ticket to Vajdahunyad Castle with Audio Tour on Your Phone : $19
- Private Budapest city tour with a daytime Danube river cruise: $239
- 2 Hours Buda Castle Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $38
- 2 Hours Jewish Heritage Walking Tour - Walk with a Historian: $49
- 2 Hours Private Scenic Photo Tour Around Budapest: $156
- 2-Hour Private Budapest Castle Walking Tour: $126
- 2-Hour Private Market Tour in Budapest With Free Tastings: $59
- 2-Hour Private Night Tour of Budapest: $264
- 22 Dog-statues in Budapest - an unusual tour: $25
- 3 Cocktail Cruise Budapest : $38
- 3 Hours Budapest Segway Grand City Tour Buda, Margaret and Pest: $93
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Budapest $18
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $27
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
- Budapest - Opera Gin Distillery Tour: $51
- Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest with T-shirt Included: $53
- All You Can Drink Pub Crawl Through The Ruin Bars in Budapest: $59
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Budapest, we can see that Budapest 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 Budapest would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Budapest 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 Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Budapest?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Budapest. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Budapest, 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 Budapest?
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 Budapest in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Budapest. Also, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Budapest in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Budapest this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Budapest. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Budapest in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Budapest. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Budapest averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Budapest. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Budapest can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Budapest fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Budapest. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Budapest in the Spring?
Both Budapest and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Budapest in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Budapest. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.