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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Montpellier?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Montpellier? 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 Montpellier?

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.

Montpellier

Montpellier is the 8th largest city of France, and also has been the fastest growing city in the country over the past 25 years. Graceful and easy-going, Montpellier is a stylish metropolis with elegant buildings, grand hotels, private mansions, stately boulevards and shady backstreets, and gorgeous white-sand beaches on its doorstep. Unlike many southern towns, Montpellier has no Roman heritage. Instead it was founded in the 10th century by the counts of Toulouse and later became a prosperous trading port as well as a scholarly center - Europe's first medical school was established here in the 12th century. The population swelled in the 1960s when many French settlers left independent Algeria and relocated here, and it's now France's fastest-growing city and one of its most multicultural areas. Students make up over a third of the population, giving it a spirited vibe.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, and The Best 2-Week Tours in France.


Which place is cheaper, Montpellier 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 Montpellier is $126. 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 Montpellier in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Montpellier $74
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Montpellier $148
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Montpellier

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Montpellier? 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 Montpellier


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: Montpellier Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Montpellier $28
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 Montpellier

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Montpellier:

  • Transfer from Sète Port to Marseille Provence Airport MRS: $131
  • Transfer Montpellier Airport and Beziers Airport: $49
  • Private Transfer from Sète Cruise Port to Marseille city hotels: $131
  • Montpellier–Méditerranée Airport Transfer: $64
  • Montpellier Private Transfer from Montpellier city centre to Montpellier Airport: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Montpellier?

Prices for flights to both Montpellier 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
    Montpellier $33
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Montpellier

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Montpellier.

  • Guided Food Tour With Local Snacks and Wine: $91
  • Montpellier Food Tour: $93
  • From Pic Saint-Loup Wine and Food Tour: $102
  • Cooking workshop: $106
  • Private cooking class with specialized chefs Montpellier: $108
  • Fusion Food Cooking Class: $428

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Montpellier $13

Tours and Activities in Montpellier

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

  • CityTour and Photo Portraits Souvenirs in Montpellier: $38
  • From Half-Day Vineyard & Pic Saint-Loup Tour: $80
  • From Wine and Olive Tour: $75
  • Highlights of Sète : history, food and wine experience: $174
  • Legendary Montpellier, flexible legends and storytelling tour: $16
  • Montpellier - Private Historic Walking tour: $428
  • Montpellier Private Guided Walking Tour: $307
  • Montpellier Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $270
  • Montpellier Wine and Oyster Tour: $86
  • Half-Day Hiking Tour of Pic Saint Loup & Picnic: $64
  • Personalized Day-Tour of the South of France: $1,059
  • Photoshoot Experience: $159

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Montpellier $16

Sample the Local Flavors in Montpellier

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Montpellier:

  • The Châteaux of Grès de Montpellier & Wine Tasting: $80
  • Small-Group Half-Day Châteaux of Montpellier Wine Tour: $84
  • Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Wine Tour from Montpellier: $84
  • Wine tour in Pic Saint-Loup area: $142
  • Half-Day Wine Tour with Lunch: $155
  • Montpellier : half day wine tour in Camargue: $159
  • Private Half-Day Languedoc Wine Tour from Sète: $240
  • Sète: Private Half–Day Wine Tour: $353


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Montpellier?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Montpellier. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Montpellier, 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 Montpellier?

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 Montpellier in the Summer?

Both Montpellier and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Montpellier because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Montpellier. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Montpellier averages at about 23°C (73°F).

In Montpellier, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 351 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Montpellier. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 20 mm (0.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Montpellier 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Montpellier in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Montpellier. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Montpellier this time of year.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Montpellier. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Montpellier fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 187 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Montpellier receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Montpellier 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Montpellier in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Montpellier. Additionally, many travelers come to Montpellier for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Montpellier in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Montpellier fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Montpellier. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Montpellier receives 147 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Montpellier. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Montpellier 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Montpellier in the Spring?

Both Montpellier and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Montpellier in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Montpellier. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Montpellier averages at about 13°C (55°F).

It's quite sunny in Montpellier. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Montpellier during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Montpellier receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Montpellier. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Montpellier receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Montpellier 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Montpellier and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Montpellier
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 20 mm (0.8 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 22°C (72°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 19°C (67°F) 62 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (60°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 10°C (51°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 7°C (45°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)