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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Monaco?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Monaco? 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 Monaco?

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.

Monaco

Monaco is a small city-state that is completely surrounded by France. The Italian Riviera is only a few kilometers to the east and the country enjoys a wonderful, Mediterranean climate. Monaco is also the second smallest independent state in the world, with the Vatican being the smallest. It is six times as large of the Vatican and also the world's most densely populated independent country. It is entirely urban and a fun place to spend a few days.

Which place is cheaper, Monaco or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Monaco is $203. 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 Monaco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Monaco $127
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Monaco $254
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Monaco

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Monaco? 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Monaco


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Monaco $18
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Monaco

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Monaco:

  • Private Transfer from Nice to Monaco: $123
  • Private Transfer from Nice to Monaco: $150
  • Private Transfer from Monaco to Nice: $171
  • Private Transfer from Monaco to Nice: $192
  • Port Hercule (Monte Carlo Monaco Port): Transfer to Monaco: $228

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Monaco?

Prices for flights to both Monaco 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Monaco $57
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.61

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Monaco $24

Typical Entertainment Prices in Monaco

Here are a few typical costs in Monaco for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Grand Prix for Two
    $108

Tours and Activities in Monaco

Here are a few actual costs in Monaco for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Excursion to Eze and Half Day Shared Tour 5h: $70
  • Eze and Full Day Shared Tour: $102
  • From Nice: Eze, Monaco and Monte Carlo Half Day Tour: $70
  • From Nice: French Riviera Full Day Tour: $118
  • From Nice: Full-Day Monaco, Monte-Carlo & Eze Tour: $64
  • From Nice: Italian Riviera, Monaco, & Monte Carlo Tour: $722
  • Guided tour of Monaco in 2 hours: $34
  • Italian Riviera & Monaco/ Monte-Carlo Sightseeing Tour: $722
  • Jewels of Monaco – Walking Tour for Couples: $469
  • La Condamine: City Highlights Walking Tour: $373
  • Monaco & Monte-Carlo: Guided Hidden Gems Tour: $74
  • Monaco City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Monaco $28

Sample the Local Flavors in Monaco

Also in Monaco, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Nice: Wine Tasting Class in City Center: $73


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Monaco, we can see that Monaco 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 Monaco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Monaco 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 Monaco Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Monaco?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 3960 times larger than the population of Monaco. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Monaco, 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.