Which place is cheaper, Mamaia or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Romania, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Bucharest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Mamaia $64
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Mamaia is $64. 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 Mamaia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Mamaia $25
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Mamaia $50
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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Mamaia $27
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Mamaia
Also for Mamaia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Constanta to Bucarest (OTP) Airport: $174
- Mihail Kogalniceanu Constanta to Bucharest Driver - Private Guided Transfer : $272
- Constanta to Bucharest Otopeni airport - private transfers: $250
- Cernavoda to Bucharest - Private Guided Transfer - Car and Driver: $217
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 $18Mamaia $22
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Mamaia $13
Tours and Activities in Mamaia
For Mamaia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Day Tour: Visit Histria Winery and Ancient Citadel: $86
- One Day Tour to Constanta (The Ancient City of Tomis): $175
- Self-Guided Labyrinth in the Rocks Tour near Silistra: $21
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Mamaia $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Mamaia
Also in Mamaia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Unveilling the Essence: Gabai Winery's Captivating Wine Tours: $43
When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Mamaia, we can see that Mamaia is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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 Mamaia Expensive?.
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 daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Mamaia fluctuates 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 average around 6°C (42°F), and Mamaia averages at 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. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Mamaia fluctuates 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 daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Mamaia fluctuates 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) |
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.