Which place is cheaper, Melbourne or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Melbourne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Melbourne? 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 Melbourne?
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.
Melbourne
Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia, after Sydney. It is also the capital city of the state of Victoria, in southeastern Australia. Melbourne is arguably the best city to experience culture and the arts in Australia. There is a friendly rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney over livability and popularity and Melbourne is definitely the city to visit for its parks, shopping, restaurants, galleries and theaters. Like Sydney, it is situated on the water, at the head of Port Phillip Bay. It's a beautiful city, and although it lacks the major sights that you'll find in Sydney such as the Sydney Opera House or the Harbour Bridge, you will never find yourself lacking for entertainment. It is also a wonderful base for exploring many of the nearby highlights, including Grampians National Park, The Great Ocean Road, and Phillip Island where you can view the penguin parade.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Water Sports Tour Packages in Australia, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Australia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Melbourne $179
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Melbourne is $179. 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 Melbourne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Melbourne $120
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Melbourne $240
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Melbourne
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Melbourne? 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: Melbourne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Melbourne $20
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$1.36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Melbourne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Melbourne:
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Airport Bus$11
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Tram Ride$2.51
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Melbourne
Also for Melbourne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Yarra Valley: Hot Air Balloon with Breakfast & CBD Transfers: $377
- Mt Buller 1 Day Snow Tour (Direct Transfer To Mt Buller Village From Melbourne): $90
- Melbourne CBD to Melbourne Airport Private Transfer: $96
- Melbourne Airport: One-Way Transfer to Melbourne: $30
- Melbourne Airport: Express Bus Transfer to/from City Center: $16
- Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Melbourne Airport Private Transfer: $86
- Melbourne Airport to Melbourne CBD Private Airport Transfer: $106
- Melbourne Airport (MEL): Private Transfer to Melbourne: $321
- MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Southbank: $215
- MEL Airport: Minibus Private Transfer to Melbourne CBD: $208
- From Lake Mountain Ski Resort Tour with Transfers: $958
- From Melbourne Airport: 1-Way Private Transfer to Melbourne: $79
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Melbourne?
Prices for flights to both Melbourne 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 $19Melbourne $31
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$4.69
Typical Food Prices in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Coffee$2.64
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Pizza$4.62
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Queen Victoria Market: 'Flavours of Australia' Food Tour: $52
- Sunset Kayak Tour with Dinner: $79
- Chinese Dumpling Cooking Class with a Drink: $98
- Secret Food Tour: $109
- Spirit of Melbourne Dinner Cruise: $124
- Choose Your Asian Cuisine Cooking Masterclass: $130
- Phillip Island Penguins, Wine Tasting and Dinner from Melbourne: $147
- Ultimate Yarra Valley Wine & Food Tour with 2-Course Lunch: $191
- Luxury Private Romantic Dinner Cruise For 2: $389
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Melbourne $28
Tours and Activities in Melbourne
For Melbourne, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 day Puffing Billy Steam Train and Wildlife Tour from Melbourne: $126
- 1.5Hr Yarra River Crown Flames and City Lights Cruise: $317
- 2 Day Great Ocean Road Small Group Tour: $810
- 3-Day Great Ocean Road and Grampians Small-Group Tour: $1,504
- Classic Melbourne Walking Tour: $185
- Complete Melbourne Walking Tour: $66
- Experience Yarra Valley: A Tailored private Wine Journey: $661
- Explore Melbourne's Pulse: A CBD In-App Audio Tour: $11
- Famous Melbourne City Bike Tour: $297
- From 3-Day Great Ocean Road Grampians Tour: $592
- From 3-Day Great Ocean Road Tour with Lodging: $1,253
- From 4-Day Great Ocean Road Tour to Adelaide: $1,186
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Melbourne $17
Typical Alcohol Prices in Melbourne
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Melbourne from other travelers:
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Bottle of Wine$5.12
Sample the Local Flavors in Melbourne
Also in Melbourne, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Weekly Bar Crawl: 5 Free shots, Club Entry: $19
- Spirits and Ales Haunted Pub Walking Tour: $26
- Laid back,Small-Group Yarra Valley Wine Tour :Wine,Gin,Cider+more: $87
- Yarra Valley Gourmet Food & Wine Tasting Tour: $129
- Yarra Valley Food & Wine Tour in a '56 Chevrolet: $463
- Yarra Valley Wineries & Wine Tasting Private Tour: $760
- Helicopter, Wine Tasting & Lunch in Yarra Valley: $787
- From Mornington Peninsula Private Distillery Tour: $1,282
- YARRA VALLEY’S WINE TASTING & PUFFING BILLY: $1,347
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Melbourne, we can see that Melbourne is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Melbourne is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Melbourne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Melbourne 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 Melbourne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Melbourne?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8% larger than the population of Melbourne. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Melbourne, 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 Melbourne?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Melbourne is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Saint Petersburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Melbourne in the Summer?
Both Melbourne and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Melbourne this time of year.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Melbourne in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Melbourne fluctuates around 20°C (68°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Melbourne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Melbourne during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Melbournein January. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Melbourne 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Melbourne in the Autumn?
Both Melbourne and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Melbourne for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Melbourne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Melbourne averages at about 15°C (60°F)in April.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Melbournein April. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 170 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Melbournein April. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Melbourne 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Melbourne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Melbourne. Also, many visitors come to Melbourne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Melbournein July. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Melbourne fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Melbourne during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Melbourne receives 139 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Melbournein July. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Melbourne 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Melbourne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Melbourne. Also, most visitors come to Melbourne for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Melbourne in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Melbourne fluctuates around 14°C (57°F)in October.
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Melbourne. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Melbournein October. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Melbourne receives 216 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Melbournein October. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Melbourne receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Melbourne 14°C (57°F)
Typical Weather for Melbourne and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Melbourne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 47 mm (1.9 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.