A Travel Price Comparison for Russia Saint Petersburg vs. Nizhny Novgorod for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod? 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 Nizhny Novgorod?

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.

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.

Which place is cheaper, Nizhny Novgorod or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Nizhny Novgorod is $31. 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 Nizhny Novgorod in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Nizhny Novgorod $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Nizhny Novgorod $40
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod? 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 Nizhny Novgorod


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 $7.38
    Nizhny Novgorod $1.20
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.36

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod?

Prices for flights to both Nizhny Novgorod 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 $19
    Nizhny Novgorod $9.64
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Nizhny Novgorod $1.71

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.81
    Nizhny Novgorod $2.38


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Nizhny Novgorod.

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 Nizhny Novgorod Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Nizhny Novgorod. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod, 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 Nizhny Novgorod?

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 Nizhny Novgorod in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Nizhny Novgorod.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Nizhny Novgorod in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nizhny Novgorod. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Nizhny Novgorod.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Nizhny Novgorod. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Nizhny Novgorod averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Nizhny Novgorod. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod 5°C (41°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod in the Winter?

Both Nizhny Novgorod and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Nizhny Novgorod in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally a little warmer than Nizhny Novgorod. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around -10°C (13°F).

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Nizhny Novgorod. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod -10°C (13°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Nizhny Novgorod in the Spring?

Both Nizhny Novgorod and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.

It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Nizhny Novgorod in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Nizhny Novgorod. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Nizhny Novgorod 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Nizhny Novgorod and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Nizhny Novgorod
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -10°C (13°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -8°C (17°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (28°F) 27 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 20°C (68°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 18°C (64°F) 66 mm (2.6 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -7°C (19°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)