Which place is cheaper, Inverness or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Inverness?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Inverness? 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 Inverness?
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.
Inverness
Inverness is the northernmost city in Scotland, often referred to as the "gateway to the Highlands" as roads through Inverness lead to some of the most beautiful places in the Highlands. The city and surrounding area have a centuries old history, ranging from the battle of Culloden in the 1700's to Urquhart Castle that dates back to the 13th century. Inverness is the ideal place to explore Scotland's history and beauty, especially on a walk through the city or along the shore of the Firth. The warmest time of year is from June to September with temperatures usually in the 60's Fahrenheit and lighter rain. The rest of the year tends to be rainy and colder, with temperatures in the 40's Fahrenheit.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from London, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Inverness $209
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Inverness is $209. 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 Inverness in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Inverness $114
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Inverness $228
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Inverness
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Inverness? 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: Inverness Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Inverness $41
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 Inverness
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Inverness:
- Inverness to Isle of Skye Direct transfer: $623
- Inverness to Glasgow Direct transfer: $781
- Inverness to Fort William Direct transfer: $374
- Inverness to Edinburgh Direct transfer: $781
- Inverness Private Transfer to Aviemore: $229
- Inverness Airport to Glenshee Ski Resort - Round-Trip Transfer: $131
- Inverness Airport (INV) to Lecht Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $33
- Inverness Airport (INV) to Glenshee Ski Resort - Arrival Transfer: $66
- Arrival Private Transfer from Inverness INV to Inverness City by luxury vehicle: $105
- Transfers / Tour from , inverness, Edinburgh ,Glasgow ,Aberdeen : $184
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Inverness?
Prices for flights to both Inverness 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 $18Inverness $61
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 $18Inverness $55
Tours and Activities in Inverness
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Inverness are as follows:
- 1-Day Moray Coast Tour with Speyside Whisky from Inverness: $97
- 2-Day Tour to Isle of Skye, The Fairy Pools & Highland Castles: $191
- 2-Hour Private Celtic Handfasting Ceremony Experience: $108
- 25 Shot Clay Pigeon Shooting Experience: $63
- Applecross, Loch Carron & Wild Highlands Tour from Inverness: $69
- Cawdor Castle, Inverness, Culloden, Outlander and Loch Ness Tour: $164
- Chauffeur driven sightseeing Edinburgh to & from Inverness: $1,000
- Clan Tour - Castle ,Whisky and History Tour: $172
- Craigs Luxury Speyside Private Whisky Tour: $686
- Day tour to Isle of Skye and Fairy Pools from Inverness: $126
- From Cairngorms National Park and Whisky Tour: $76
- From Glen Affric, Culloden and Clava Cairns Tour: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Inverness $28
Sample the Local Flavors in Inverness
Also in Inverness, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- From Invergordon Port Dunrobin Castle, Clynelish Distillery Tour : $203
- Speyside Distillery Tour From Inverness: $1,124
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Inverness, we can see that Inverness 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 Inverness would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Inverness 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 Inverness Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Inverness?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 100 times larger than the population of Inverness. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Inverness, 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 Inverness?
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 Inverness in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Inverness. Additionally, many travelers come to Inverness for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Inverness in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Inverness fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Inverness. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 147 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Inverness. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Inverness 14°C (58°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Inverness in the Autumn?
Both Inverness and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Inverness in the autumn for the shopping scene and the small town atmosphere.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Inverness. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Inverness averages at about 9°C (49°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Inverness during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 84 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Inverness. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Inverness 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Inverness in the Winter?
Both Inverness and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Inverness for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Inverness can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Inverness. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Inverness fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Inverness. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Inverness receives 42 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Inverness. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Inverness 3°C (38°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Inverness in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Inverness. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Inverness because of the small town charm.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Inverness in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Inverness fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Inverness during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Inverness receives 136 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Inverness. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Inverness receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Inverness 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Inverness and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Inverness | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 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.