Which city is cheaper, Flam or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Flam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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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.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $76Flam $113
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $76, while the average daily cost in Flam is $113. 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 Flam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $43Flam $59
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $86Flam $118
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Flam
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Flam? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $8.79Flam $17
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$1.62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg
Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
- St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
- St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
- Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar: $80
- St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
- St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
- 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
- Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
- Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
- St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Flam?
Prices for flights to both Flam 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 $22Flam $36
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$5.56
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $22Flam $17
Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 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 Flam
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Flam.
- Cruise Special - Flåm private tour: $501
- PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: World Heritage Fjord Landscape tour from Flam, 4 hours: $1,488
- PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: World Heritage Fjord Landscape tour, from Flåm, OFF-SEASON: $729
- PRIVATE GUIDED TOUR: World Heritage Fjord Landscape – Viking Special – from Flåm: $776
- Sognefjord Private Yacht Cruise from Flam by classic Grand Banks: $1,003
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $12Flam $3.75
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.
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.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Flam. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Flam stays 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Flam 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Flam in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Flam.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Flam in the autumn. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 6°C (42°F) in October, and Flam stays 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Flam 9°C (48°F)
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.
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 are around -8°C (18°F), and Flam is 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Flam 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Flam in the Spring?
Both Flam and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Flam. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Flam stays 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Flam 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Flam and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Flam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 in) |
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