Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg? 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 Gothenburg?
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.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Gothenburg $97
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Gothenburg is $97. 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 Gothenburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Gothenburg $40
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Gothenburg $80
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Gothenburg
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg? 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: Gothenburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Gothenburg $18
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 Gothenburg
Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $144
- Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $32
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg city to Goteborg Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer from Gothenburg Airport (GOT) to Goteborg Port: $50
- Private Transfer from Goteborg Port to Gothenburg Airport (GOT): $50
- Private Transfer from Goteborg Cruise Port to Gothenburg City: $64
- Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $101
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $504
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $119
- Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
- Ostersund Private Transfer from Ostersund (OSD) airport to central Ostersund: $174
- Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg?
Prices for flights to both Gothenburg 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 $18Gothenburg $38
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Gothenburg $15
Tours and Activities in Gothenburg
For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Days Private Tour in Gothenburg: $300
- 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $31
- Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $39
- Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $112
- City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
- Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $222
- Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $778
- Eila's Time Travels: A Lycksele Family Walking Tour Game: $9.26
- Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $37
- Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $64
- Fascinating Gothenburg Walking Tour for Couples: $255
- Fatbike Experience in Sorsele: $112
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Gothenburg $20
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Gothenburg, we can see that Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Gothenburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg?
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 Gothenburg in the Summer?
Both Gothenburg and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Gothenburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg in the Autumn?
Both Gothenburg and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Gothenburg. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Gothenburg. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Gothenburg.
Gothenburg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Gothenburg during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Gothenburg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Gothenburg.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Gothenburg. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)
Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Gothenburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 84 mm (3.3 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 75 mm (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.