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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Lillehammer?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lillehammer? 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 Lillehammer?

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.

Lillehammer

Most people know the name Lillehammer because it is the city that hosted the 1994 Olympics. While it's obviously a beautiful travel destination during the winter months when it's covered in snow and winter sport opportunities are abundant, it is also a lovely travel destination in the summer. It's a surprisingly small town with a population of around 25,000. It's streets are lined with quaint, wooden houses that date back to the 19th century. The town is located on the banks of Lake Mjosa. There's a nice shopping street that's called Storgata and cuts through the middle of the old town. It is pedestrian only, giving it a charming atmosphere and making it an enjoyable place to walk around. The town also has nice galleries and museums that are worth a visit.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Lillehammer 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 Lillehammer is $102. 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 Lillehammer in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Lillehammer $61
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Lillehammer $122
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Lillehammer

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Lillehammer? 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 Lillehammer


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: Lillehammer Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Lillehammer $3.92
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

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Lillehammer?

Prices for flights to both Lillehammer 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
    Lillehammer $35
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Lillehammer $16

Tours and Activities in Lillehammer

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

  • Maihaugen Open-Air Museum, Lillehammer. Entry Ticket: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Lillehammer $12


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Lillehammer?

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