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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Carcassonne?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Carcassonne? 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 Carcassonne?

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.

Carcassonne

Carcassonne is a hilltop town in southern France. Inhabited since the Neolithic period, Carcassonne is located in the Aude plain between historic trade routes, linking the Atlantic to the Mediterranean sea and the Massif Central to the Pyrenees. The Romans recognized its strategic importance and occupied its hilltop until the demise of the Western Roman Empire and was later taken over in the fifth century by the Visigoths who founded the city. Its desirable location led successive rulers to expand its fortifications until the Treaty of the Pyrenees in 1659. It is famous for its medieval citadel, La Cite, which has numerous watchtowers and double-walled fortifications. The first walls were built in Gallo-Roman times, with major additions made in the 13th and 14th centuries. With its position on a rocky hilltop, zigzag battlements, stout walls and spiky turrets, the fortified city of Carcassonne looks like something out of a children's storybook when it's seen from afar. A Unesco World Heritage Site since 1997, it's most people's idea of the perfect medieval castle. It attracts over four million visitors every year, peaking in high summer. Time your visit for late in the day (or even better in spring or fall) to truly appreciate the old town's medieval charm.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in France, and The Best Historical Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Carcassonne?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Carcassonne. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Carcassonne, 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 Carcassonne?

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 Carcassonne in the Summer?

Both Carcassonne and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Carcassonne because of the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Carcassonne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Carcassonne during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Carcassonne. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Carcassonne in the Autumn?

Both Carcassonne and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Carcassonne this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Carcassonne in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Carcassonne fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Carcassonne. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 161 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Carcassonne. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 90 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Carcassonne in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Carcassonne. Also, many travelers come to Carcassonne for the museums and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Carcassonne. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Carcassonne averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Carcassonne during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Carcassonne receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Carcassonne. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Carcassonne in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Carcassonne. Also, many visitors come to Carcassonne in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Carcassonne. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Carcassonne fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Carcassonne. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Carcassonne receives 178 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Carcassonne. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Carcassonne receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Carcassonne and Saint Petersburg