Which place is cheaper, Geneva or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Geneva?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Geneva? 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 Geneva?
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.
Geneva
Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Geneva $210
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Geneva is $210. 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 Geneva in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Geneva $145
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Geneva $290
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Geneva
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Geneva? 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: Geneva Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Geneva $9.38
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 Geneva
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Geneva:
- VIP Transfer: $72
- Private Transfer: Geneva Airport to Zermatt Tasch Station: $689
- Private Transfer from Nice to Geneve: $2,567
- Private Transfer from Nice to Geneve: $2,214
- Private Transfer from Geneva Hotels to Geneva Airport: $86
- Private Transfer from Geneva Cornavin station CFF to Hotels: $108
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airpot to Geneva City: $108
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Verbier: $576
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Samoens: $291
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Geneva Hotels : $86
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to City Centre: $157
- Private Transfer from Geneva Airport to Annemasse: $117
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Geneva?
Prices for flights to both Geneva 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 $18Geneva $52
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 Geneva
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Geneva.
- Geneva City Tour with Cooking Class: $144
- City Tour and Fondue Cooking Class: $185
- Food tour in Geneva: $2,406
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Geneva $30
Tours and Activities in Geneva
Here are a few actual costs in Geneva for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- (KTG210) - Geneva City Tour and Yvoire: $176
- (KTG353) - Winter Tour: Gruyeres, chocolate tour from Geneva: $169
- (STTG04) - Sightseeing Cruise at Geneva with Wine and Aperitif: $32
- 2-Hour Small-Group Bike Guided Tour in Geneva: $34
- 3 Days 2 Nights Tour Package To Siwa Oasis From Cairo: $394
- 3 Hour Private Chocolate and Watch Walking Tour of Geneva: $168
- 3-Hour Private Walking Tour in Geneva: $283
- Activé Geneva Urban Art Tour 3h on a bike or ebike: $198
- Annecy - Venice of the Alps - Tour from Geneva: $84
- Annecy Private Guided Tour from Geneva: $354
- Audioguided sightseeing cruise of Geneva: $21
- Best Intro Tour of Geneva with a Local: $156
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Geneva $22
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Geneva, we can see that Geneva 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 Geneva would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Geneva 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 Geneva Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Geneva?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Geneva. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Geneva, 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 Geneva?
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 Geneva in the Summer?
Both Geneva and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 22°C (71°F).
In Geneva, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Geneva. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Geneva 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)Geneva 22°C (71°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Geneva in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Geneva. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Geneva in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Geneva. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Geneva 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Geneva in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Geneva. Additionally, many travelers come to Geneva for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Geneva averages at about 4°C (39°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Geneva. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Geneva 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Geneva in the Spring?
Both Geneva and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Geneva. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Geneva 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Geneva and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Geneva | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 85 mm (3.4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.