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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Nagano?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nagano? 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 Nagano?

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.

Nagano

Nagano city and its surrounding prefecture of Japan is a temple region built around Zenkoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple that overlooks the city. Nagano was also home to the Winter Olympic Games in 1998, with some facilities still existing around town. And then there is the forested mountain Togakushi area to the northwest, which is another draw of Nagano, known for its shrines and status as the home of the Togakure Ninja School.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Nagano?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Nagano. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Nagano, 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 Nagano?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nagano in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Nagano. Furthermore, most visitors come to Nagano for the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Nagano in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Nagano fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Nagano during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 136 hours of full sun in the summer.

Nagano receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Nagano. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 222 mm (8.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nagano in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Nagano. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Nagano because of the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Nagano. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Nagano averages at about 16°C (60°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Nagano. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 167 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Nagano. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Nagano. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 227 mm (9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nagano in the Winter?

Both Nagano and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Nagano this time of year.

It's quite cold in Nagano in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Nagano. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Nagano fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

It's quite sunny in Nagano. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Nagano during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Nagano receives 212 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Nagano. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Nagano. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 446 mm (17.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nagano in the Spring?

Both Nagano and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Nagano for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Nagano in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Nagano fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Nagano. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Nagano receives 191 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Nagano. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nagano receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Nagano and Saint Petersburg