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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Havana?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Havana? 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 Havana?

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.

Havana

The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).

This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Havana, we can see that Havana is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Even though Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Havana is in Caribbean Islands, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.

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 Havana Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Havana?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 87% larger than the population of Havana. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Havana, 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 Havana?

Saint Petersburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Havana experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Havana in the Summer?

Both Havana and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Havana year-round.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Havana. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Havana averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Havana. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Havana in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Havana. Havana attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Havana. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Havana fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Havana. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Havana receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Havana in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Havana. The warm climate attracts visitors to Havana throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Havana in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Havana fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Havana. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Havana receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Havana in the Spring?

Both Havana and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Havana because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Havana. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Havana averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Havana. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Havana receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Havana and Saint Petersburg