Which city is cheaper, Mamaia or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Mamaia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Mamaia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mamaia? 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 Mamaia?
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.
Mamaia
The most popular beach resort in Romania, Mamaia sits on an 8-kilometer wisp of land between Lake Siutghiol and the Black Sea. With plenty of hotels, restaurants, nightclubs, and an aqua park, the resort area is a party-goer's destination with endless opportunities for fun in the sun and nighttime merriment.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $67Mamaia $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $67, while the average daily cost in Mamaia 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Mamaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $38Mamaia $21
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $76Mamaia $42
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Mamaia
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Mamaia? 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: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Mamaia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.69Mamaia $22
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$1.77
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg
Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
- St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
- St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
- St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
- St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
- St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
- St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
- Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
- Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
- Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
- Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
- Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Mamaia?
Prices for flights to both Mamaia 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 $19Mamaia $19
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$6.08
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Enjoy Russian Delicacies in St Petersburg: Cooking Demo and Meal with a Local: $80
- Private Dining: Russian dinner in a traditional St. Petersburg apartment: $91
- Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max): $92
- Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour: $103
- Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg: $107
- Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups: $109
- FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg: $150
- Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff: $166
- Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup: $179
- Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar: $187
- Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop: $188
- Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch: $212
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $19Mamaia $11
Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Day Visa-Free Tour in St Petersburg with Faberge Collection: $265
- 1-day private Visa-Free tour in St Petersburg with Peterhof: $257
- 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
- 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
- 3 Hour Photo Shoot Tours St. Petersburg, Russia: $564
- Basic 2-day tour in St Petersburg for cruise passengers: $425
- Catherine Palace and Park: Private tour to Tsarskoe Selo: $120
- Classic 2 Day Tour of St Petersburg Russia.No hidden costs.9 years of experience: $349
- Daily Canon Shot at Peter and Paul Fortress + Museum of Revolution Private Tour: $162
- Essential 2-Day Visa-Free Tour for Cruise Ships in St Petersburg: $465
- Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
- Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $10Mamaia $9.64
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Mamaia, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Mamaia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Mamaia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Mamaia 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 Mamaia.
When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Mamaia?
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 Mamaia in the Summer?
Both Mamaia and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Mamaia in the summer. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 18°C (64°F) in July, and Mamaia stays around 22°C (72°F).
It's quite sunny in Mamaia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Mamaia during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Mamaia receives 320 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Mamaia. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Mamaia 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mamaia in the Autumn?
Both Mamaia and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Mamaia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October are around 6°C (42°F), and Mamaia is about 14°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Mamaia. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mamaia receives 182 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Mamaia. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Mamaia 14°C (56°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mamaia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Mamaia.
Mamaia can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Mamaia. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Mamaia stays around 1°C (33°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Mamaia during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Mamaia receives 83 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Mamaia. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Mamaia 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mamaia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Mamaia.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Mamaia in the spring. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 4°C (40°F) in April, and Mamaia stays around 10°C (51°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Mamaia. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mamaia receives 180 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in April than Mamaia. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mamaia receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Mamaia 10°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Mamaia and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Mamaia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
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