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

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Helsinki?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Helsinki? 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 Helsinki?

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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.

Which city is cheaper, Helsinki or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $62, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is $120. 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 Helsinki in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $35
    Helsinki $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $70
    Helsinki $126
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Helsinki

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Helsinki? 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Helsinki


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: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Helsinki Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.14
    Helsinki $19
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Petersburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:


  • Metro Passes
    $1.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • 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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki

Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • VIP car Airport Transfer Helsinki: $56
  • VIP Transfer in Helsinki: $71
  • VIP Transfer Helsinki Airport: $53
  • VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $102
  • VIP Airport transfers by new cars in Helsinki: $102
  • Ultra - Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Port to City Centre: $8.71
  • Ultra - Helsinki Private Transfer from City Centre to Helsinki Cruise Port: $8.71
  • Private arrival OR departure transfer in Helsinki (airport or hotel pick up): $185
  • Private Transfer: Helsinki-Malmi Airpor (HEM) to Helsinki: $622
  • Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL): $622
  • Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki-Malmi Airpor (HEM): $622
  • Private Departure Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Vantaa Airport: $40

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Helsinki?

Prices for flights to both Helsinki 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Helsinki $29
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $5.64

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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki

For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $137

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Helsinki $23

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 Helsinki

For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2 Days tour to Moominworld and Turku Castle from Helsinki: $955
  • 2-Hour Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Helsinki: $274
  • 2-Hours Helsinki Professional Photography Walking Tour: $70
  • 2-Hours Photogenic Helsinki Walking Tour with a Local: $67
  • 3.5 Hour Helsinki Highlights Private Tour: $350
  • 5-hour sightseeing in Helsinki and Winterworld: $199
  • 90-minute Helsinki Boat Sightseeing on Beautiful Canal Route: $28
  • Architecture Tour of Helsinki with a city planner: $68
  • Artificial Intelligence City Tour of Helsinki: $37
  • Central Helsinki Tour: $84
  • City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop On Hop Off Tour: $37
  • City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.49
    Helsinki $13

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Helsinki?

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 Helsinki in the Summer?

Both Helsinki and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Helsinki in the summer. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 18°C (64°F) in July, and Helsinki stays around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Helsinki. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

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


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Helsinki 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Helsinki in the Autumn?

Both Helsinki and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Helsinki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October are around 6°C (42°F), and Helsinki is about 6°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Helsinki. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 90 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Helsinki. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Helsinki 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Helsinki in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Helsinki. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.

It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Helsinki. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Helsinki stays around -6°C (21°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Helsinki during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Helsinki. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Helsinki -6°C (21°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Helsinki in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Helsinki. Also, many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Helsinki in the spring. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 4°C (40°F) in April, and Helsinki stays around 3°C (37°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 183 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Helsinki. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Helsinki 3°C (37°F)

Typical Weather for Helsinki and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Helsinki
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -6°C (21°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -3°C (27°F) 34 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 17°C (62°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (51°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -4°C (26°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Helsinki Travel Comparison

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