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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Giverny?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Giverny? 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 Giverny?

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.

Giverny

Giverny (pronounced jee-vair-knee) is a commune in Northern France. It sits on the right bank of the River Seine where it meets the River Epte. This area has been a settlement since Neolithic times and the town has various monuments from many periods of its long existence. Beginning around 1887, a number of American Impressionist artists settled to work in Giverny, drawn by the landscapes, the overall atmosphere, and the presence of Monet. It has now become a place of pilgrimage for many art lovers. It was here that Claude Monet lived for 43 years, until his death at the age of 86 in 1926. Although his house is now prized by connoisseurs of 19th-century interior decoration, it's his garden, with its Japanese-inspired water-lily pond and bridge, that remains the high point for many, as it is a 5-acre, three-dimensional Impressionist painting where you can stroll around at leisure. Most make this a day trip, but Giverny has some lovely lodgings, so you could also overnight here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Giverny?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 7160 times larger than the population of Giverny. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Giverny, 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 Giverny?

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 Giverny in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Giverny. Also, the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Giverny this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Giverny in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Giverny fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Giverny this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Giverny during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Giverny. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Giverny in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Giverny. Also, many travelers come to Giverny for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Giverny. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Giverny averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Giverny. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 127 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Giverny in the Winter?

Both Giverny and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Giverny in the winter for the museums and the cuisine.

Giverny can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Giverny. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Giverny fluctuates around 5°C (40°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Giverny during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Giverny receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Giverny. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Giverny in the Spring?

Both Giverny and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Giverny for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Giverny in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Giverny fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Giverny. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Giverny receives 172 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Giverny. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Giverny receives 50 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Giverny and Saint Petersburg