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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Karlovy Vary?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary?

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.

Karlovy Vary

Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Karlovy Vary?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Karlovy Vary. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?

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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Karlovy Vary.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Karlovy Vary this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Karlovy Vary.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Karlovy Vary. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?

Both Karlovy Vary and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Karlovy Vary can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?

Both Karlovy Vary and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Karlovy Vary. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Saint Petersburg