A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Charleston for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Charleston?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Charleston can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Charleston?

Saint Petersburg

Located at the base of the Tampa Bay peninsula of Florida, Saint Petersburg is a city known for its pleasant weather, coastal activities, and downtown arts scene. Nicknamed the "Sunshine City," Saint Petersburg is also a popular location for golfing, boating, fishing and beachgoing in addition to the usual entertainment options to be found in a thriving city.

Charleston

Charleston is a beautiful, southern city and seaport town in South Carolina. It has a wonderful, historic downtown area that the city government works hard to maintain. Located on a peninsula that is created by two rivers, the city is a stunning setting with much character. It is a popular place to visit for its culture, architecture and cuisine. In recent years Charleston has gained popularity and it continues to grow as both a regional and international travel destination. With its rising popularity comes increasing costs. Travel costs continue to go up as restaurants and hotels raise their prices, particularly during the peak travel season and holiday periods.

Which city is cheaper, Charleston or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $163, while the average daily cost in Charleston is $136. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Charleston in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $101
    Charleston $72
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $202
    Charleston $144
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Charleston

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Charleston? 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Charleston


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: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Charleston Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $38
    Charleston $26

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39
  • Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar: $80
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Charleston

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Charleston:

  • Private transfer: Charleston to Charleston Airport (CHS): $622
  • Charleston city to Charleston Airport (CHS) - Departure Private Transfer: $124
  • Private Departure Transfer to Charleston Airport (CHS): $52

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Charleston?

Prices for flights to both Charleston 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 day
    Saint Petersburg $39
    Charleston $46
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:


  • Burger Dinner (for 2)
    $20
  • Indian Food Dinner (for 2)
    $37
  • Gelato (for 2)
    $8.00
  • Breakfast at Piper's Patio (for 2)
    $17

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Enjoy Russian Delicacies in St Petersburg: Cooking Demo and Meal with a Local: $80
  • Private Dining: Russian dinner in a traditional St. Petersburg apartment: $91
  • Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max): $92
  • Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour: $103
  • Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg: $107
  • Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups: $109
  • FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg: $150
  • Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff: $166
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup: $179
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar: $187
  • Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop: $188
  • Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch: $212

Typical Food prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of dining costs in Charleston are as follows:


  • Lunch in downtown Charleston for two
    $21
  • Breakfast
    $26

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Charleston

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Charleston.

  • Downtown Charleston Culinary Walking Food Tour: $73
  • Savor the Flavors of Charleston Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Charleston's Savor the Flavors of Upper King Street Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Charleston Chef's Kitchen Guided Walking Food Tour: $75
  • Charleston Harbor: Luxury Dinner Cruise: $77
  • Savor the Flavors Upper King Street Food Tour: $95
  • Private Tour: Secret Food Tours Charleston: $129
  • Undiscovered 1/2 Day Food, Wine & History Tour with Cooking Class: $154
  • 3-Hour Secret Food Tour in Charleston w/ Private Tour Option: $277

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $11
    Charleston $17

Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Saint Petersburg.

  • 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
  • 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
  • Mini-Group 2-Day Shore Excursion of St Petersburg Must-Sees and Boat Cruise: $25
  • Saint Petersburg Drawbridges Tour: $41
  • Half Day Walking Tour Well Courtyards Tour in Saint Petersburg: $44
  • Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56
  • Private Tours: $64
  • Half Day Bike City Tour in Saint Petersburg: $75
  • Private Tour of "Erarta" Galleries: $76
  • St Petersburg Communist walking tour + Museum of Russian political history: $77
  • Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
  • Revolutionary Petersburg City Tour: $86

Typical Entertainment prices in Charleston

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Charleston are as follows:


  • Patriots Point (for 2)
    $60

Tours and Activities in Charleston

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Charleston are as follows:

  • 2-Hour Guided Kayaking Eco Tour in Charleston: $48
  • 2-Hour Paddle Board Eco Tour of Charleston Lowcountry: $48
  • 90-Minute Historic Walking Tour of Charleston: $25
  • Amazing Ladies of Charleston Walking Tour: $35
  • Best of Historic Charleston Walking Tour: $35
  • Boone Hall Plantation Admission & Tour with Transportation from Charleston: $61
  • Bruce Knows Insider Walking Tour of Downtown: $26
  • Car Service: Airport to / from Cruise Port: $130
  • Charleston Attraction & Tour Pass for 1, 2, or 3 Days: $73
  • Charleston Boo Hag & Brews Walking Ghost and Bar Tour: $29
  • Charleston Chicora Walking Tour: $26
  • Charleston City Bus Tour with Charleston Museum Admission: $32

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $33
    Charleston $28

Sample the Local Flavors in Charleston

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Charleston:

  • Charleston Bar Hunt: Charleston Chase Bar Crawl: $12
  • Ghost Walking Tour and Pub Crawl in Haunted Charleston: $27
  • Haunted Pub Crawl of the Market: $37

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Charleston, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Charleston much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Charleston would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Charleston 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Charleston.


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Charleston?

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 Charleston in the Summer?

Both Charleston and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Charleston for the beaches, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Charleston. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Charleston stays around 82°F (28°C).

In Charleston, 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 Charleston. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 293 hours of full sun.

Charleston gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Charleston. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 6.9 inches (176 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C) 
    Charleston 82°F (28°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charleston in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Charleston. Also, many visitors come to Charleston in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Charleston in the autumn. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 76°F (24°C) in October, and Charleston stays around 67°F (19°C).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 197 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Charleston. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C) 
    Charleston 67°F (19°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charleston in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Charleston. Also, most visitors come to Charleston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Charleston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January are around 59°F (15°C), and Charleston is about 47°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charleston. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charleston receives 188 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Charleston. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 3.3 inches (85 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C) 
    Charleston 47°F (9°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charleston in the Spring?

Both Charleston and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Charleston because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Charleston. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Charleston stays around 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Charleston. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Charleston during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Charleston receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Charleston. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Charleston receives 2.7 inches (69 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C) 
    Charleston 64°F (18°C)

Typical Weather for Charleston and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Charleston
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 47°F (9°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 50°F (10°C) 3.3 inches (85 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 58°F (14°C) 4.3 inches (110 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 72°F (22°C) 4.2 inches (106 mm)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 78°F (26°C) 6.4 inches (163 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 82°F (28°C) 6.9 inches (176 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 81°F (27°C) 7.1 inches (181 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 76°F (25°C) 4.8 inches (121 mm)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 67°F (19°C) 2.9 inches (74 mm)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 58°F (15°C) 2.5 inches (63 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 51°F (10°C) 3.1 inches (78 mm)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Charleston Travel Comparison

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