Which place is cheaper, London or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or London?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or London? 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 London?
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.
London
The capital of the United Kingdom is a thriving multicultural metropolis. Steeped in iconic landmarks, world-class museums and royal parks, London is energetic, majestic, ambitious and one of the world's greatest cities. London is a cultural and fashion capital, a great place to go out, an amazing place to eat and one of those cities that is constantly changing with new and exciting things sprouting up almost every day. History and tradition greet you at every turn in the UK's capital. London is also a city with an edgy underbelly, delighting in neon pink dive bars, cheeky graffiti and mind-blowing street food. When you need a break from the action, pop into a pub or relax in one of the city's many parks. Blow through the city on a double-decker bus, and take a pinch-me-I'm-in-London walk through the West End. As one of the most visited cities in the world, London is busy, vibrant and very tourist friendly. The only problem with London is that it's very expensive; it can eat away at your budget if you aren't careful. Luckily, there are also tons of free or cheap things to do in London that can fill your time.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United Kingdom, and The Best 3-Day Tours in United Kingdom.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63London $236
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in London is $236. 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 London in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36London $153
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72London $306
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and London
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or London? 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: London Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29London $32
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 London
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in London:
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Taxi Ride$18
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Heathrow Express$22
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Luggage Storage$9.97
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London Map$1.61
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Oyster Card$45
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Train to Gatwick Airport (2)$27
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Oyster Card$34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in London
Also for London, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Windsor Castle to/from Central London | Private Transfers: $68
- Windsor Castle - Private Transfer - Pickup & Return: $291
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour London The Making of Harry Potter with return transfers: $125
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour with Bus Transfers: $147
- Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer in London HTL - APT (LGW,STN): $135
- Transfer in private car from Central London - London Airport (LGW): $96
- Transfer in Private Vehicle from London City Center- to Gatwick Airport (LGW): $115
- Transfer in Private MPV from London Gatwick Airport (LGW) to Central London: $115
- Transfer from Heathrow Airport to London or London to Heathrow: $120
- Transfer from Central London To Heathrow Airport: $212
- Transfer London to Southampton Cruise Terminal (extra luggage): $89
- Stansted Airport Departure Shared Transfer - London to Airport: $69
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or London?
Prices for flights to both London 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 $18London $43
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 London
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to London:
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Lunch at Starbucks$16
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Tea$7.47
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Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason$49
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Morning Tea$7.91
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Pastry$6.23
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Sushi Dinner for One$23
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in London
For London, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Borough Market Food Tour - Self Guided: $6.47
- Dinner and Live DJ at A Fancy Restaurant: $16
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $34
- Picadilly Circus: Hard Rock Cafe Set Menu Lunch or Dinner: $36
- Tea and Doughnuts: Borough Market Walking Food Tour: $44
- Pizza Making Cookery Class: $52
- Borough Bites, The London Food Tour: $66
- Borough Market Flavors of London Food Tour: $66
- No Diet Club - Best food Tour in East London: $67
- African & Caribbean Food Tour in Multi-Cultural Brixton: $73
- Plant Power - Vegan Food Tour: $87
- Ultimate London Food Tour: Borough Market & Southwark: $89
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18London $41
Typical Entertainment Prices in London
For London, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Two Tickets to a Concert$103
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London Symphony Orchestra$43
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London Pass$59
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Comedy Show$9.97
Tours and Activities in London
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for London.
- Boogie Shoes Christmas Silent Disco Walking Tours London : $32
- Boogie Shoes Silent Disco Walking Tour Camden: $63
- Little Venice and Camden Walking Tour: $95
- Self-Guided Audio Tour Medieval Legends, ghosts and fire: $10
- Silent Disco Walking Tours West End Boogie Shoes: $44
- The London Dungeon Admission Ticket: $37
- 'Downton Abbey' TV Locations and Blenheim Palace Tour from London: $220
- 1 Hour Unlimited Games and Rides Ticket in Babylon Park: $38
- 2 Hour Belgravia Walking Tour and High Tea: $125
- 2 Hours Rock and Roll Historical Walking Tour in London : $62
- 2 Hours Unlimited Games and Rides Ticket in Babylon Park: $51
- 2-Hour Jack the Ripper Guided Walking Tour in Whitechapel, London: $22
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68London $19
Sample the Local Flavors in London
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in London:
- Historic Pub Walking Tour of London: $13
- 2-Hour Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $20
- Shoreditch Bar Crawl of Five Venues with Drink Deals: $22
- Central London Pub Crawl: $23
- 1 Big Night Out Weekday Pub Crawl: $23
- Camden Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Craft Brewery Tour with Tasting of 4 Beers: $25
- Shoreditch Pub Crawl in London: $25
- Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $28
- Pub Crawl of Central London: $29
- 2-Hour Historic Pub Tour: $31
- Burlesque Cabaret Show in Covent Garden: $31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and London, we can see that London 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 London would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in London 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 London Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or London?
London has a larger population, and is about 84% larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and London, 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 London?
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 London in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and London. Furthermore, many travelers come to London for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as London. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and London averages at about 18°C (64°F).
In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than London during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 195 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than London. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while London receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)London 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or London in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as London. Additionally, many visitors come to London in the autumn 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 London. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and London fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than London. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 107 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than London. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while London receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)London 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or London in the Winter?
Both London and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to London for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.
London can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than London in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and London fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than London during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while London receives 52 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than London. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while London receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)London 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or London in the Spring?
Both London and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to London because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than London. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and London averages at about 9°C (48°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than London. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while London receives 147 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than London. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while London receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)London 9°C (48°F)
Typical Weather for London and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | London | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 57 mm (2.2 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.