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

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia?

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 Columbia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Columbia?

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.

Columbia

Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.

Which city is cheaper, Columbia 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 Columbia is $0.00. 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 Columbia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $101
    Columbia -
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $202
    Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Columbia

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Columbia? 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 Columbia


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 Columbia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $38
    Columbia -

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Columbia?

Prices for flights to both Columbia 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
    Columbia $4.02
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $11
    Columbia -

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

Tours and Activities in Columbia

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

  • Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
  • Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
  • Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
  • Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
  • Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
  • Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $33
    Columbia $70

Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia

Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30

About these numbers

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Columbia, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.


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

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 Columbia in the Summer?

Both Columbia and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia is about 82°F (28°C).

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

Columbia 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 Columbia. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Columbia.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 76°F (24°C), and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbia 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 Columbia during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Columbia. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C) 
    Columbia 64°F (18°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Columbia.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Columbia in the winter. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 59°F (15°C) in January, and Columbia stays around 45°F (7°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Columbia. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Columbia. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C) 
    Columbia 45°F (7°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbia in the Spring?

Both Columbia and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

In the spring, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April are around 73°F (23°C), and Columbia is about 64°F (18°C).

It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Columbia during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Columbia. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain each month for the spring.


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

Typical Weather for Columbia and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Columbia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.7 inches (93 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 48°F (9°C) 3.5 inches (88 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 56°F (13°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 64°F (18°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 72°F (22°C) 3 inches (77 mm)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 78°F (26°C) 3.5 inches (89 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 82°F (28°C) 4.6 inches (116 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 81°F (27°C) 5.8 inches (147 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.3 inches (84 mm)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 64°F (18°C) 3 inches (75 mm)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 56°F (13°C) 2.1 inches (54 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 48°F (9°C) 2.6 inches (67 mm)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Columbia Travel Comparison

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