Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Interlaken?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Interlaken? 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 Interlaken?
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.
Interlaken
Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts with plenty of hiking, skiing, paragliding, and other activities in the region.. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys, too. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Interlaken $231
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is $231. 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 Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Interlaken $133
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Interlaken $266
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Interlaken? 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: Interlaken Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Interlaken $13
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
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Cable Cars (for 2)$66
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
- Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken 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 $18Interlaken $64
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
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Tea at Interlaken$33
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
- Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $733
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Interlaken $104
Tours and Activities in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Hidden gems e-bike tour with picnic at Lake Brienz : $212
- Iseltwald, Aare Gorge and Lake Brienz Experience in Switzerland: $290
- 007 Elegance: Private Tour to Schilthorn from Interlaken: $480
- A Day at Lake Brienz and Lauterbrunnen Tour from Zurich: $1,260
- Alpine Heights Jungfraujoch Small Group Tour from Interlaken: $529
- Alpine Majesty: Bern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $835
- Bern: Grindelwald First & Bachalpsee Hiking Private Tour: $709
- Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Canyoning Experience Grimsel from Interlaken : $200
- From Grimsel Gorge Canyoning Tour: $196
- From Gruyères, Cheese Factory & Cailler Tour: $290
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Interlaken $17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Interlaken?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 800 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?
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 Interlaken in the Summer?
Both Interlaken and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Interlaken for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Interlaken. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Interlaken in the Autumn?
Both Interlaken and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Interlaken in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Interlaken. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Interlaken in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Interlaken. Furthermore, most visitors come to Interlaken for the skiing and the cuisine during these months.
Interlaken can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Interlaken averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Interlaken in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Interlaken. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the natural beauty.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Interlaken. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.