A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Minsk for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Minsk?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Minsk? 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 Minsk?

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.

Minsk

Minsk is the capital city of Belarus, centrally located. Situated on the Svislac and Niamiha rivers, it is also capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and was the capital of the former Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic from 1919-1991. It is a modern city dominated by monumental Stalinist architecture with many of its museums, theaters, and other cultural attractions.

When comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Minsk, we can see that Minsk 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 Minsk Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Minsk?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Minsk. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Minsk, 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 Minsk?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Minsk in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Minsk.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Minsk in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Minsk fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Minsk. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Minsk. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minsk receives 258 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Minsk. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 88 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Minsk in the Autumn?

Both Minsk and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Minsk. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Minsk averages at about 8°C (47°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Minsk during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Minsk receives 99 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Minsk. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Minsk in the Winter?

Both Minsk and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit.

The weather in Minsk can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Minsk. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Minsk fluctuates around -5°C (22°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Minsk. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Minsk receives 46 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Minsk. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Minsk in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Minsk.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Minsk in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Minsk fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Minsk during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Minsk receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Minsk. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Minsk receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Minsk and Saint Petersburg