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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Lagos?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lagos? 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 Lagos?

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.

Lagos

A coastal town in the south of Portugal, Lagos is known for its old world charm, plummeting cliffs, and Atlantic beaches. Many come to enjoy a full range of activities from beach-going and watersports to exploring cobbled streets lined with options for shopping and dining. Historic churches and castles add to the charm, as well as a clifftop lighthouse showing the way to Lagos for ships at sea.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Lagos 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 Lagos is $126. 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 Lagos in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Lagos $66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Lagos $132
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Lagos

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Lagos? 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 Lagos


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: Lagos Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Lagos $33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lagos

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Lagos:

  • Transfer Praia da Luz - Balaia Golf (Albufeira): $70
  • Transfer Praia da Luz - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $58
  • Transfer Burgau - Alamos Golf (Portimão): $55
  • Private Transfer: Seville to Lisbon: $615
  • Private Transfer: Seville to Lagos: $374
  • Private Transfer: Seville to Algarve (Faro district): $374
  • Private Transfer: Lagos to Seville: $374
  • Private Transfer: Lagos to Lisbon: $428
  • Private Transfer: Faro/Lagos to Porto: $802
  • Private Transfer: Faro/FAO to Seville: $353
  • Private Transfer: Faro to Lisbon: $428
  • Private Transfer: Albufeira to Seville: $321

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Lagos?

Prices for flights to both Lagos 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
    Lagos $36
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 Lagos

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

  • Classic Food Tour - Lagos: $97
  • Full-Day West Coast Adventure with Hiking, Sunset, Dinner & Wine : $120

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Lagos $28

Tours and Activities in Lagos

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

  • 2-hour Kayak Tour of Ponta da Piedade Caves and Beaches: $44
  • 4x4 Off-road Algarve Natural Park West Coast Tour : $58
  • Adventure to the Benagil Caves on a Family Friendly Catamaran - Start at Lagos: $39
  • Algarve Private Tour: Sagres and Benagil from Lisbon: $834
  • Algarve: Aljezur, Arrifana, and Costa Vicentina Private Tour: $144
  • Algarve: Family photoshoot experience: $214
  • Algarve: Lagos Sightseeing guided Tour with e-bikes: $63
  • Algarve: Lagos sightseeing guided tour with E-bikes: $71
  • Amado Beach Walking Tour: $55
  • Benagil Caves- Speed Boat Tour: $44
  • Boat Cruise to Algar de Benagil from Lagos: $39
  • Captivating Corners of Lagos – Walking Tour: $395

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Lagos $7.27

Sample the Local Flavors in Lagos

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Lagos:

  • Lagos Wine Tasting and Tapas: $44
  • Small-Group Day Tour of Silves and Monchique with Wine Tasting: $86


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Lagos?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 210 times larger than the population of Lagos. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Lagos, 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 Lagos?

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 Lagos in the Summer?

Both Lagos and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Lagos because of the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Lagos. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Lagos fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

Lagos gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Lagos. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 243 mm (9.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Lagos 25°C (77°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lagos in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Lagos. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Lagos this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Lagos in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Lagos fluctuates around 26°C (79°F).

Lagos receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Lagos. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Lagos 26°C (79°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lagos in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Lagos. Also, many travelers come to Lagos for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Lagos. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Lagos averages at about 27°C (81°F).

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Lagos. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 13 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Lagos 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lagos in the Spring?

Both Lagos and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lagos in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Lagos. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Lagos fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Lagos. In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Lagos. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lagos receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Lagos 28°C (82°F)

Typical Weather for Lagos and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Lagos
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 29°C (84°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 29°C (84°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 28°C (82°F) 146 mm (5.7 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 202 mm (8 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 26°C (79°F) 316 mm (12.4 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 25°C (77°F) 243 mm (9.6 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 122 mm (4.8 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 26°C (79°F) 160 mm (6.3 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 26°C (79°F) 125 mm (4.9 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 27°C (81°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 27°C (81°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)