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

North America / Comparisons /
Jump to  down-arrow

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Columbus?

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

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Columbus?

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.

Columbus

The capital city of Ohio, Columbus sits at the meeting point of America's Rust Belt, Bible Belt, Appalachia, and the Plains. It is also home of Ohio State University, which is a major financial and economic force in the city. You'll likely need a car to navigate the city, although there is a bus system, COTA, which can take you to some of Columbus' highlights.

Which city is cheaper, Columbus 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 Columbus is $126. 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 Columbus in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $101
    Columbus $58
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $202
    Columbus $116
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Columbus

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Columbus? 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 Columbus


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 Columbus Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $38
    Columbus $40

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

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

  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • 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
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Columbus

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

  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $174
  • Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) to Columbus - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
  • Columbus to Columbus John Glen Airport (CMH) - Departure Private Transfer: $87

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Columbus?

Prices for flights to both Columbus 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
    Columbus $39
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
    Columbus $37

Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg

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

  • 1-Day Visa-Free Tour in St Petersburg with Faberge Collection: $265
  • 1-day private Visa-Free tour in St Petersburg with Peterhof: $257
  • 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
  • 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
  • 3 Hour Photo Shoot Tours St. Petersburg, Russia: $564
  • Basic 2-day tour in St Petersburg for cruise passengers: $425
  • Catherine Palace and Park: Private tour to Tsarskoe Selo: $120
  • Classic 2 Day Tour of St Petersburg Russia.No hidden costs.9 years of experience: $349
  • Daily Canon Shot at Peter and Paul Fortress + Museum of Revolution Private Tour: $162
  • Essential 2-Day Visa-Free Tour for Cruise Ships in St Petersburg: $465
  • Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
  • Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56

Tours and Activities in Columbus

For Columbus, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Central Park Bike Tour: $53
  • Columbus Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $21
  • LEGOLAND Discovery Center Columbus Ticket: $21
  • New York City: 3-Hour City Highlights Guided Bike Tour: $60
  • Unique Scavenger Hunt Experience in Columbus: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $33
    Columbus $16

About these numbers

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


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

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 Columbus in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Columbus.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Columbus in the summer. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 82°F (28°C) in July, and Columbus stays around 77°F (25°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Columbus 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 Columbus during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 254 hours of full sun in the summer.

Columbus receives a lot of rain in the summer. Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Columbus. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 82°F (28°C) 
    Columbus 77°F (25°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbus in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Columbus.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Columbus. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October are around 76°F (24°C), and Columbus is about 57°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 179 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Columbus. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (55 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 76°F (24°C) 
    Columbus 57°F (14°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbus in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Columbus. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Columbus. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Columbus stays around 30°F (-1°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Columbus during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Columbus receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Columbus. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 2.2 inches (56 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg 59°F (15°C) 
    Columbus 30°F (-1°C)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Columbus in the Spring?

Both Columbus and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Columbus in the spring. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 73°F (23°C) in April, and Columbus stays around 54°F (12°C).

It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Columbus. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbus receives 200 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Columbus. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Columbus receives 3.2 inches (81 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 73°F (23°C) 
    Columbus 54°F (12°C)

Typical Weather for Columbus and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Columbus
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 59°F (15°C) 2.3 inches (59 mm) 30°F (-1°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm)
Feb 62°F (17°C) 2.9 inches (73 mm) 33°F (1°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Mar 67°F (20°C) 3.9 inches (99 mm) 45°F (7°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Apr 73°F (23°C) 2.1 inches (53 mm) 54°F (12°C) 3.2 inches (81 mm)
May 78°F (25°C) 2.4 inches (61 mm) 65°F (18°C) 4.1 inches (105 mm)
Jun 82°F (28°C) 6.5 inches (165 mm) 73°F (23°C) 4 inches (102 mm)
Jul 82°F (28°C) 8.4 inches (214 mm) 77°F (25°C) 4.4 inches (112 mm)
Aug 82°F (28°C) 8 inches (203 mm) 75°F (24°C) 3.7 inches (95 mm)
Sep 81°F (27°C) 6.3 inches (161 mm) 69°F (20°C) 3 inches (76 mm)
Oct 76°F (24°C) 2.6 inches (65 mm) 57°F (14°C) 2.2 inches (55 mm)
Nov 69°F (20°C) 1.8 inches (45 mm) 47°F (8°C) 3.2 inches (82 mm)
Dec 62°F (17°C) 2.2 inches (56 mm) 35°F (2°C) 2.8 inches (72 mm)


Budget Your Trip

Budget Your Trip has average travel costs for thousands of cities around the world, all provided by other travelers. You can also register to organize your spending by category and location with graphs, maps, charts, and tables.
Sign Up

More City Comparisons
Washington vs. Saint Petersburg
Washington vs. Columbus
Clearwater vs. Saint Petersburg
Clearwater vs. Columbus
Fort Lauderdale vs. Saint Petersburg
Fort Lauderdale vs. Columbus
Gainesville vs. Saint Petersburg
Gainesville vs. Columbus
Jacksonville vs. Saint Petersburg
Jacksonville vs. Columbus
Miami vs. Saint Petersburg
Miami vs. Columbus
Orlando vs. Saint Petersburg
Orlando vs. Columbus
Saint Petersburg vs. Tallahassee
Saint Petersburg vs. Tampa
Saint Petersburg vs. Atlanta
Saint Petersburg vs. Savannah
Saint Petersburg vs. New Orleans
Saint Petersburg vs. Baltimore
Saint Petersburg vs. Kansas City
Saint Petersburg vs. Saint Louis
Saint Petersburg vs. Asheville
Saint Petersburg vs. Charlotte
Saint Petersburg vs. Durham
Saint Petersburg vs. Greensboro
Saint Petersburg vs. Raleigh
Saint Petersburg vs. Winston-Salem
Share This Page
Pin This Page
Saint Petersburg vs. Columbus Travel Comparison

Some of the links on this website are sponsored or affiliate links which help to financially support this site. By clicking the link and making a purchase, we may receive a small commission, but this does not affect the price of your purchase.