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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Mont-Saint-Michel?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mont-Saint-Michel? 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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.

Mont-Saint-Michel

Mont Saint-Michel is an island community in Normandy, France. It is located about a half of a mile (or one kilometer) off of the country's northwest coast, at the mouth of the Couesnon River near Avranches. The population of the island, at last count, was just under 50 people. The island has been a strategic fortifications since ancient times and since the 8th century AD has been the seat of the monastery from which it was named. The structural composition of the town exemplifies the feudal society that constructed it: on top, God, the abbey and monastery; below, the great halls; then stores and housing; and at the bottom, outside the walls, houses for fishermen and farmers. One of France's most recognizable landmarks, visited by more than 3 million people each year, Mont Saint-Michel and its bay are on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Over 60 buildings within the commune are protected in France as historical monuments.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best River Cruises in France, and The Best Bicycle Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Mont-Saint-Michel?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 50500 times larger than the population of Mont-Saint-Michel. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Mont-Saint-Michel, 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 Mont-Saint-Michel?

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 Mont-Saint-Michel in the Summer?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Mont-Saint-Michel in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).

In Mont-Saint-Michel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 246 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Mont-Saint-Michel. Furthermore, many visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel in the autumn for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 134 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Mont-Saint-Michel. Additionally, most visitors come to Mont-Saint-Michel for the museums and the cuisine during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 70 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Mont-Saint-Michel in the Spring?

Both Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Mont-Saint-Michel because of the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Mont-Saint-Michel in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Mont-Saint-Michel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

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

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Mont-Saint-Michel. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Mont-Saint-Michel receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Mont-Saint-Michel and Saint Petersburg