Which city is cheaper, Istanbul or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Istanbul? 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.
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.
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $76, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is $65. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Istanbul? 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.
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Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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.
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Saint Petersburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Istanbul, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Istanbul.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Istanbul. Also, many visitors come to Istanbul in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Istanbul. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Istanbul stays around 24°C (74°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Istanbul. 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 Istanbul. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Istanbul. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Istanbul and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Istanbul in the autumn. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 6°C (42°F) in October, and Istanbul stays around 16°C (61°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Istanbul during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Istanbul and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Istanbul because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Istanbul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January are around -8°C (18°F), and Istanbul is about 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Istanbul. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Istanbul. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Istanbul. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Istanbul. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Istanbul stays around 13°C (55°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Istanbul during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Saint Petersburg | Istanbul | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 in) |
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