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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Lofoten Islands?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Lofoten Islands? 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 Lofoten Islands?

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.

Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands is an archipelago and traditional district in Norway. Lofoten is known for excellent fishing, spectacular nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, and small villages off the beaten track. The Lofoten Islands are draped across the turbulent waters of the Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Circle. Kayak between the islands, go fishing for the catch of your life, or look for sea eagles soaring in the sky. If you are seeking unforgettable nature experiences, Lofoten will definitely not let you down.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Contiki Tours to Norway, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Oslo.


Which place is cheaper, Lofoten Islands 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 Lofoten Islands is $53. 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 Lofoten Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Lofoten Islands $7.12
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Lofoten Islands $14
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Lofoten Islands

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Lofoten Islands? 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 Lofoten Islands


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Lofoten Islands $11
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 Lofoten Islands?

Prices for flights to both Lofoten Islands 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
    Lofoten Islands $34
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
    Lofoten Islands $24

Tours and Activities in Lofoten Islands

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lofoten Islands are as follows:

  • From Leknes port: Special Summer Guided Tour of Lofoten : $126
  • Sea Kayak Guided Tours on Skrova Island: $115
  • Small-Group Cultural Walking Tour of Skrova: $33
  • Winter Half Day Kayak Tour: $92

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Lofoten Islands $0.72


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Lofoten Islands, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Lofoten Islands much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lofoten Islands would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lofoten Islands 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Lofoten Islands.

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 Lofoten Islands Expensive?.