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

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Finland.

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.

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 Kemi Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Kemi?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 180 times larger than the population of Kemi. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Kemi, 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 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 daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Kemi fluctuates 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.

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 average around 6°C (42°F), and Kemi averages at 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.

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. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Kemi fluctuates 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.

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 daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Kemi fluctuates 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.

Typical Weather for Kemi and Saint Petersburg