Which place is cheaper, Marbella or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Marbella?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Marbella? 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 Marbella?
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.
Marbella
Marbella is a city in southern Spain in the province of Malaga. It is part of the Costa del Sol (Coast of the Sun) and is located on the Mediterranean Sea between Malaga and the Strait of Gibraltar. It is one of the most important tourist cities in the area and receives many national and international tourists year round due to its climate and tourism structures. Marbella is a bit of a glamorous city due to its beauty and resort-type environment. The old town with its narrow cobbled streets and flower-filled plazas is packed with shops and art galleries selling boutique clothes and accessories, and handmade wares. The city has significant archaeological and historical heritage and many events and performances throughout the year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Spain, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Spain.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Marbella $125
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Marbella is $125. 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 Marbella in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Marbella $66
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Marbella $132
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Marbella
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Marbella? 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: Marbella Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Marbella $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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Marbella
Also for Marbella, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vip Transfer from Malaga Airport to Fuengirola or Marbella: $21
- TRANSFER MALAGA AIRPORT from OR to MARBELLA-PRICE ALL INCLUSIVE: $104
- Private Transfer from Vélez-Málaga to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Torrox to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Torrox Costa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $120
- Private Transfer from Torre del Mar to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from San Pedro de Alcántara to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $132
- Private Transfer from Sabinillas to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $174
- Private Transfer from Mezquitilla to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $127
- Private Transfer from Marbesa to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $97
- Private Transfer from Manilva to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $175
- Private Transfer from Los Monteros to Malaga (AGP) Airport: $107
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Marbella?
Prices for flights to both Marbella 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 $18Marbella $41
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Marbella
For Marbella, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Food Tour: $87
- The Mediterranean Diet & Lifestyle Cooking Class.: $180
- Gourmet Cooking Class & Culture in the rural Montes de Malaga.: $191
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Marbella $21
Tours and Activities in Marbella
For Marbella, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 h Estepona Bay Tour: $47
- 2 hours Quad Tour in Marbella - 1 quad for 1/2 persons 160€: $175
- Antequera Classic Winery Tour: $206
- Authentic Andalusia - Jeep Eco Tour (pick up from Marbella - Estepona) : $98
- Bike City Tour Marbella: $32
- Buggy Adventure with Incredible Views of the Sea and the Reservoir: $109
- Caminito del Rey and Ardales Guided Tour from Costa del Sol: $75
- Canyoning Experience Near Marbella (Benahavís River Walk): $49
- Discover Marbella's Old Town with five-star private tour: $97
- Dolphin Watching Adventure in Estepona Bay: $38
- Dolphin Watching Tour on Sailboat in Marbella: $71
- E-Bike Tour through Marbella/ Puerto Banús and San Pedro: $101
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Marbella $6.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Marbella
Also in Marbella, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Manilva & Gaucin Wine Tour from the Costa del Sol: $152
- From Manilva Sunset Wine Tasting Tour with Tapas: $159
- Ronda Full Day Wine Tour from Marbella: $195
- From Antequera Wine Tour with Tastings and Lunch: $213
- From Axarquia Wine Tour with Wine Pairing Lunch: $234
- Full-Day Private Ronda Wine Tour Experience from Marbella: $262
- VIP Ronda Wine Tour and Tasting and Gourmet Lunch Experience with Winemaker: $272
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Marbella, we can see that Marbella 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 Marbella would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Marbella 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 Marbella Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Marbella?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Marbella. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Marbella, 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 Marbella?
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 Marbella in the Summer?
Both Marbella and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Marbella in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Marbella in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Marbella fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Marbella. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Marbella during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 348 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Marbella. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Marbella 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Marbella in the Autumn?
Both Marbella and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Marbella for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Marbella. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Marbella averages at about 19°C (67°F).
In Marbella, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Marbella. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 213 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Marbella. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Marbella 19°C (67°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Marbella in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Marbella. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Marbella. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Marbella fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Marbella during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Marbella receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Marbella. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Marbella 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Marbella in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Marbella. Also, the beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Marbella this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Marbella in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Marbella fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Marbella. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Marbella. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Marbella receives 220 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Marbella. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Marbella receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Marbella 16°C (60°F)
Typical Weather for Marbella and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Marbella | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 13 mm (0.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 2 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (78°F) | 5 mm (0.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 102 mm (4 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.