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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Kotor?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kotor? 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 Kotor?

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.

Kotor

A coastal town of Montenegro, Kotor is also a beautifully-preserved fortified, medieval town, featuring a labyrinth of cobbled streets, lively piazzas, historic churches, and a spread of bars and restaurants throughout its historic Old Town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Montenegro, and The Best Budget Tours to Montenegro.


Which place is cheaper, Kotor or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Kotor is $108. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Kotor in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Kotor $53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Kotor $106
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Kotor

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Kotor? 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 Kotor


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: Kotor Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Kotor $10
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kotor

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kotor:

  • Transfer service: $130
  • Transfer from Tivat airport to Kotor Old Town: $41
  • Transfer from Tivat airport to Dubrovnik city: $95
  • Transfer from Kotor to Podgorica: $58
  • Transfer Tivat Airport to Kotor old town : $54
  • Transfer Tivat Airport - Kotor Old Town (and viceversa): $53
  • Transfer Portonovi / Herceg Novi to Dubrovnik Old Town: $249
  • Tivat Airport (TIV): Private Transfer to Kotor Cruise Port: $89
  • Tivat Airport (TIV) to Kotor Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer: $16
  • Private transfers from Kotor to Podgorica Airport and City: $52
  • Private transfer from Tivat to Dubrovnik airport: $184
  • Private transfer from Nikki or Obala Djurasevica to Tivat airport: $49

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Kotor?

Prices for flights to both Kotor 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
    Kotor $46
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Kotor

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Kotor.

  • Kotor City Tour and Cooking Class : $202
  • Kotor private cooking class with lunch and Old town guided tour: $225
  • Kotor and Perast Private Tour with Cooking Class and Boat Ride: $260
  • Cooking class in a local home & old town walking tour: $304

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Kotor $9.01

Tours and Activities in Kotor

Here are a few actual costs in Kotor for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • "Adriatic Adventure: Blue Cave & Islands Speedboat Tour": $46
  • 1-Day Montenegro Hiking Tour to Durmitor National Park : $118
  • 3H Guided Kotor & Cable Car Tour: $190
  • All inclusive - Lovcen tour: $130
  • Ancient Budva & Unique St.Stephen Private Tour: $92
  • Bay of 2-Hour Stand Up Paddle Board Tour: $53
  • Bay of 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour: $53
  • Bay of 2.5-Hour Kayak Tour : $54
  • Bike & hike tour : $81
  • Bike tour - Downhill from Njegos Mausoleum to Kotor bay: $133
  • Bike tour - Downhill from Njegos Mausoleum to Kotor bay: $130
  • Bike tour - Panoramic downhill from Njeguši and Kotor serpentines: $98

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Kotor $9.22

Sample the Local Flavors in Kotor

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Kotor:

  • Private tour: Homemade food and wine tasting at my family home: $125
  • Private National Park Lovcen with food and wine tasting: $136
  • Wine tasting and magical tour from Kotor, Budva, Tivat (Lovcen,Skadar lake): $250
  • Skadar Lake National Park with Wine Tasting: $426


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Kotor?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 760 times larger than the population of Kotor. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Kotor, 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 Kotor?

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 Kotor in the Summer?

Both Kotor and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kotor for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).

In Kotor, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 341 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Kotor. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 47 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Kotor 26°C (80°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kotor in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Kotor. Also, many visitors come to Kotor in the autumn for the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Kotor in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Kotor fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kotor this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Kotor during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 203 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Kotor receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Kotor. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 174 mm (6.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Kotor 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kotor in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Kotor. Also, most visitors come to Kotor for the cuisine during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Kotor. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Kotor averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Kotor. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kotor receives 121 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Kotor. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Kotor. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 186 mm (7.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Kotor 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Kotor in the Spring?

Both Kotor and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kotor because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Kotor. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Kotor fluctuates around 14°C (58°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kotor during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Kotor receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Kotor. In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Kotor. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kotor receives 154 mm (6.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Kotor 14°C (58°F)

Typical Weather for Kotor and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Kotor
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 186 mm (7.3 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 172 mm (6.8 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 173 mm (6.8 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 154 mm (6.1 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 26°C (80°F) 47 mm (1.8 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 26°C (79°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 22°C (72°F) 130 mm (5.1 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 174 mm (6.9 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (53°F) 224 mm (8.8 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)