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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Leipzig?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Leipzig? 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 Leipzig?

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.

Leipzig

Leipzig is a city in the eastern German state of Saxony. Leipzig is Saxony's coolest city, called "The New Berlin" by many. It is a playground for nomadic young creatives, but it's also a city of enormous history, a trade-fair mecca and foundational in the eyes of music lovers due to its intrinsic connection to the lives and work of Bach, Mendelssohn, and Wagner. When it comes to art, the neo-realistic New Leipzig School has stirred up the international art world for well over 10 years.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Leipzig?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Leipzig. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Leipzig, 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 Leipzig?

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 Leipzig in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Leipzig. Also, many visitors come to Leipzig in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Leipzig this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Leipzig during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 206 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Leipzig. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 52 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Leipzig in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Leipzig. Also, most visitors come to Leipzig for the shopping scene during these months.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Leipzig in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Leipzig fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Leipzig. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 107 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Leipzig. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Leipzig in the Winter?

Both Leipzig and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Leipzig because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Leipzig can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Leipzig. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Leipzig averages at about 1°C (33°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Leipzig during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Leipzig receives 45 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Leipzig. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Leipzig in the Spring?

Both Leipzig and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Leipzig. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Leipzig fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Leipzig. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Leipzig receives 143 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Leipzig. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Leipzig receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Leipzig and Saint Petersburg