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

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Kemi?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kemi? 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 Kemi?

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.

Kemi

Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.

Which city is cheaper, Kemi or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $62, while the average daily cost in Kemi is $114. 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 Kemi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $35
    Kemi $63
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $70
    Kemi $126
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Kemi

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Kemi? 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 Kemi


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: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Kemi Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.14
    Kemi $33
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kemi

Also for Kemi, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer Kemi-Rovaniemi: $311

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Kemi?

Prices for flights to both Kemi 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
    Kemi $29
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Enjoy Russian Delicacies in St Petersburg: Cooking Demo and Meal with a Local: $80
  • Private Dining: Russian dinner in a traditional St. Petersburg apartment: $91
  • Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max): $92
  • Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour: $103
  • Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg: $107
  • Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups: $109
  • FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg: $150
  • Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff: $166
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup: $179
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar: $187
  • Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop: $188
  • Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch: $212

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Kemi $25

Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Visa-Free Tour in St Petersburg with Faberge Collection: $265
  • 1-day private Visa-Free tour in St Petersburg with Peterhof: $257
  • 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
  • 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
  • 3 Hour Photo Shoot Tours St. Petersburg, Russia: $564
  • Basic 2-day tour in St Petersburg for cruise passengers: $425
  • Catherine Palace and Park: Private tour to Tsarskoe Selo: $120
  • Classic 2 Day Tour of St Petersburg Russia.No hidden costs.9 years of experience: $349
  • Daily Canon Shot at Peter and Paul Fortress + Museum of Revolution Private Tour: $162
  • Essential 2-Day Visa-Free Tour for Cruise Ships in St Petersburg: $465
  • Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
  • Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56

Tours and Activities in Kemi

For Kemi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Audio Guided Day Tour of Ranua Zoo with Entry Ticket and Lunch: $280
  • Full-Day Tour of Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village: $267
  • Northern Lights Aurora Tour from Kemi: $123
  • Snow Adventure Day from Kemi: $248

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.49
    Kemi $10

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Kemi?

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 Kemi in the Summer?

Both Kemi and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Kemi in the summer. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 18°C (64°F) in July, and Kemi stays around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Kemi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Kemi during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Kemi receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Kemi. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Kemi 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kemi in the Autumn?

Both Kemi and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit.

It's quite cold in Kemi in the autumn. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Kemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October are around 6°C (42°F), and Kemi is about 2°C (36°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Kemi. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kemi receives 82 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kemi. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Kemi 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kemi in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Kemi.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Kemi. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Kemi stays around -12°C (10°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Kemi during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Kemi receives 19 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Kemi. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Kemi -12°C (10°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kemi in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Kemi.

Kemi can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Kemi in the spring. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 4°C (40°F) in April, and Kemi stays around -1°C (31°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kemi. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kemi receives 194 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in April than Kemi. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Kemi -1°C (31°F)

Typical Weather for Kemi and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Kemi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Kemi Travel Comparison

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