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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Flam?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Flam? 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 Flam?

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Flam, we can see that Flam 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 Flam would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Flam 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 Flam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Flam?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8080 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Flam. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Flam. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Flam. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Flam. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Flam. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Flam. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Saint Petersburg