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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiel? 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 Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Kiel?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kiel. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Kiel. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Kiel. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Kiel. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Saint Petersburg