Which place is cheaper, Lisbon or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Lisbon?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lisbon? 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 Lisbon?
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.
Lisbon
Portugal's capital city of Lisbon continues to grow in popularity as a travel destination. The cultural scene has come to life in recent years and the city itself is stunningly beautiful. It sits on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of hills that create a dramatic and scenic layout. The city has many white-bleached limestone buildings, narrow alleyways, and a laidback charm that appeals to visitors.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Portugal, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Portugal.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Lisbon $142
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Lisbon is $142. 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 Lisbon in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Lisbon $63
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Lisbon $126
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Lisbon
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Lisbon? 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.
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: Lisbon Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Lisbon $26
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Lisbon
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Lisbon:
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Taxi Ride$7.04
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lisbon
Also for Lisbon, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- lisbon private luxury transfer to or from lisbon airport: $38
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lisbon HTL-APT (LIS): $36
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Lisbon APT-HTL (LIS): $36
- Transfers from/to Lisbon Airport to: Fátima Nazaré Alcobaça Óbidos Tomar Leiria: $217
- Transfer: Airport to where you want: $38
- Transfer from Lisbon to Porto: $235
- Transfer from Lisbon to Comporta / Troia: $137
- Transfer from Lisboa to Coimbra with visit to Fátima Sanctuary, half day: $197
- Transfer Lisbon to Sintra(3pax): $98
- Transfer Lisbon to Algarve: $235
- Transfer Lisbon Airport to Hotel in Lisbon: $37
- Transfer Lisbon / Seville: $516
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Lisbon?
Prices for flights to both Lisbon 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $18Lisbon $46
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
Typical Food Prices in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.71
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Wine Tasting Apéritif - 1 Hour Guided Wine Tasting Before Dinner: $21
- Soirée Rivage - Sunset cruise with dinner and Party: $25
- Hard Rock Cafe Lisbon with Set Lunch or Dinner : $28
- Tapas Food Tour: $37
- Fado Show and Portuguese Dinner: $48
- Lisbon Food Tour: $53
- Alfama Tour and Live Fado with Traditional Dinner: $53
- 2-Hour Pastel de Nata Cooking Class: $53
- Legendary Beer Dinner: $53
- Lisbon Fado Experience: Walking Tour, Dinner and Live Music Show: $54
- Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Lisbon: $55
- Original Morning Food Tour: $63
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Lisbon $26
Tours and Activities in Lisbon
For Lisbon, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2-Hour Night Sailing Tour in Lisbon with a Drink: $49
- Lisbon Essential Walking Tour: History, Stories and Lifestyle: $27
- Private 4X4 Jeep Tour to Arrabida & Sesimbra Beaches with Picnic: $93
- Private Tour Sintra, cabo da Roca & Cascais: $283
- Private Walking Tour - Wandering Around Lisbon: $120
- Private day tour Serra da Estrela cheese factory bread museum: $210
- Sintra & Cascais Private Tour from Lisbon + Dinosaur footprints on the beach!: $158
- Street Art Walking Tour in Lisbon - Parque das Nações: $16
- Évora & Arroiolos Small-Group Full Day Tour : $109
- Évora Private Tour - Cork Factory and Wine Estate Included: $246
- Évora Tour: $164
- Évora Tour - Évora Town and Surroundings Private Tour: $244
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Lisbon $20
Sample the Local Flavors in Lisbon
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lisbon:
- Pub Crawl with Unlimited Drinks and VIP Club Entry: $18
- 1-Hour Portuguese Wine Tasting Session: $20
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar and VIP Club Entry: $21
- Pub Crawl with Open Bar, Shots, & VIP Club Entry: $21
- Lisbon Wild Pub Crawl : $22
- Lisbon Pub Crawl: $22
- Beer Tasting in a Classic Brewery: $27
- Pub Crawl Lisbon: $27
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl in Lisbon with Local Guide: $43
- Non-Alcoholic Wine Tasting with an Expert: $49
- Portuguese Wine Tasting and Cheese Lunch: $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Lisbon, we can see that Lisbon 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 Lisbon would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lisbon 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 Lisbon Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Lisbon?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Lisbon. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Lisbon, 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 Lisbon?
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 Lisbon in the Summer?
Both Lisbon and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lisbon this time of year.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Lisbon. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Lisbon averages at about 23°C (73°F).
It's quite sunny in Lisbon. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Lisbon during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 352 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Lisbon. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 5 mm (0.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Lisbon 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lisbon in the Autumn?
Both Lisbon and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Lisbon for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Lisbon. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Lisbon fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Lisbon, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Lisbon. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 213 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Lisbon. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Lisbon 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lisbon in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Lisbon. Also, many visitors come to Lisbon in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Lisbon in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Lisbon fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Lisbon during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Lisbon receives 144 hours of full sun in the winter.
Lisbon receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Lisbon. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Lisbon 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lisbon in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Lisbon. Also, most visitors come to Lisbon for the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Lisbon. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Lisbon averages at about 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lisbon. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Lisbon. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lisbon receives 235 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Lisbon. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Lisbon receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Lisbon 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Lisbon and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Lisbon | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.