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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Hvar?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hvar? 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 Hvar?

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.

Hvar

Hvar is a Croatian island full of mountains, vegetation, beaches, vineyards, shops, restaurants, and also people! Hvar Town is the main city on the island, but there are many other small villages throughout. The best time to visit Hvar is between May and September, although keep in mind it can get busy during this period.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Croatia, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Croatia.


Which place is cheaper, Hvar or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Hvar is $109. 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 Hvar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Hvar $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Hvar $80
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Hvar

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Hvar? 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 Hvar


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: Hvar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Hvar $50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hvar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hvar:

  • Speedboat Transfer from Hvar Town to Split Airport: $535

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Hvar?

Prices for flights to both Hvar 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
    Hvar $41
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hvar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Hvar.

  • Hvar Charming Abandoned Village Small Group Tour and Local Dinner: $180
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $187
  • Hvar Hidden Gems Small Group Half Day Tour with Lunch or Dinner: $202
  • Hvar Abandoned Village Tour with Local Dinner: $214
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour with Traditional Dinner: $234
  • Food Tour: Traditional Flavours and Food Sampling on Hvar: $262
  • The Best of Hvar in a Day with Wine tasting and Local Dinner: $273
  • Hvar Small Group Wine Tour and Authentic Dalmatian Dinner: $273

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Hvar $7.99

Tours and Activities in Hvar

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Hvar are as follows:

  • BLUE CAVE & 5 islands tour from Hvar: $98
  • 1-Hour Battle Archery Game in Hvar Adventure Park: $22
  • 1-Hour Private Paintball Adventure in Park Hvar Jelsa: $23
  • 3-Hour Lavender Tour from Hvar: $150
  • Adventurous Blue and Green Cave group tour: $86
  • Back to the Roots - Ancient Island Interactive Experience: $141
  • Beach bar Laganini and Hula Hula half-day Private Boat Tour: $918
  • Blue & Green cave tour with yacht from town Hvar: $229
  • Blue Cave & Vis Island speedboat tour from Hvar: $109
  • Blue Cave and Pakleni Islands group Tour from Hvar: $107
  • Blue cave group tour with swimming and snorkelling from Hvar: $76
  • Blue cave tour with speed boat from town Hvar: $196

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Hvar $9.80

Sample the Local Flavors in Hvar

Also in Hvar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Hvar Wine Tasting Experience: $118
  • Hvar Wine tasting small group experience: $131
  • Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour : $142
  • Wine Tasting Tour: $157
  • Chocolate and Wine Tasting Small Group Tour from Hvar: $175


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Hvar?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 1090 times larger than the population of Hvar. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Hvar, 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 Hvar?

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 Hvar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Hvar. Also, most visitors come to Hvar for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Hvar in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Hvar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Hvar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 345 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Hvar. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Hvar 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hvar in the Autumn?

Both Hvar and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Hvar because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Hvar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Hvar averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Hvar. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Hvar. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Hvar 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hvar in the Winter?

Both Hvar and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Hvar this time of year.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Hvar. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Hvar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Hvar. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hvar receives 128 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Hvar. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Hvar 8°C (47°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hvar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Hvar. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hvar for the beaches and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Hvar in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Hvar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hvar this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Hvar during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Hvar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Hvar. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hvar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Hvar 15°C (59°F)

Typical Weather for Hvar and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Hvar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 8°C (47°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 9°C (48°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 20°C (67°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (74°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (80°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 18°C (64°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 108 mm (4.3 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 10°C (49°F) 100 mm (3.9 in)