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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Christchurch?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Christchurch? 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 Christchurch?

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.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.

The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.

Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Christchurch, we can see that Christchurch is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Christchurch is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Christchurch would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Christchurch 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 Christchurch Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Christchurch?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Saint Petersburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Christchurch in the Summer?

Both Christchurch and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Christchurch in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

In Christchurch, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin January. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Christchurch in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Christchurch. Also, many travelers come to Christchurch for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in April.

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Christchurch in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Christchurch. Also, many visitors come to Christchurch in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Christchurchin July. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin July. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Christchurch in the Spring?

Both Christchurch and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Christchurch in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.

It's quite sunny in Christchurch. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Christchurchin October. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Saint Petersburg