Which place is cheaper, Dresden or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Dresden?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dresden? 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 Dresden?
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.
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Dresden $145
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Dresden is $145. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Dresden in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Dresden $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Dresden $132
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Dresden
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Dresden? 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.
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: Dresden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Dresden $11
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
- Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $158
- Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City: $83
- One-Way Transfer from Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden: $146
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - First Class: $136
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - Business Van: $77
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Dresden?
Prices for flights to both Dresden 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $18Dresden $33
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Dresden
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.
- Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $51
- Winterlights Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Dinner-Show "INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION": $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Dresden $10
Tours and Activities in Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour GDR Walking Tour in Dresden: $44
- 2 Hour Historical Walking Tour in Dresden: $44
- 2 day ticket Grand City Tour Hop on Hop off 22 stops: $24
- 3H Private Walking Tour: Dresden city centre and Old Masters Painting Gallery: $300
- Astonishing Dresden - Guided Walking Tour: $427
- Bad Schandau Scooter Tour in Saxon, Switzerland: $52
- Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden - Hiking Tour: $171
- Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Fantasy Tour: $171
- Best of Bohemian and Saxon Switzerland Day Trip from Dresden- Winter Tour: $171
- Bicycle tour of Dresden: $32
- Big Sightseeing Tour in Dresden with Liveguide: $21
- Big city tour hop on hop off 22 stops: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Dresden $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
- Dresden Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $53
- Radeberger Brewery Tour in German: $57
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Dresden, we can see that Dresden 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 Dresden would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Dresden 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 Dresden Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Dresden?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Dresden. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Dresden, 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 Dresden?
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 Dresden in the Summer?
Both Dresden and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Dresden this time of year.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Dresden. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Dresden averages at about 20°C (68°F).
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Dresden. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Dresden 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dresden in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Dresden. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Dresden. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Dresden 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dresden in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Dresden. Additionally, many visitors come to Dresden in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Dresden can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Dresden in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Dresden. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Dresden 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Dresden in the Spring?
Both Dresden and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the activities around the city during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Dresden. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Dresden averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Dresden. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Dresden 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Dresden and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Dresden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.