Which place is cheaper, Osaka or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Osaka?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Osaka? 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 Osaka?
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.
Osaka
The third largest city in Japan, Osaka has a lot to offer travelers. It's at the center of the Kansai region, and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city sits at the mouth of the Yodo River on Osaka Bay and is a major commercial hub for the country.
Osaka has a humid subtropical climate with four seasons. The winters are mild with January temperatures having an average high of almost 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Snow is very rare. Springs start cool and become hot and humid. This is also the wettest season with the rainiest time being between May and early July. Summers are hot and humid with July temperatures climbing into the high 90s Fahrenheit. The fall season becomes cooler as winter approaches.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Japan, and The Best Adventure Tours to Japan.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Osaka $88
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Osaka is $88. 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 Osaka in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Osaka $45
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Osaka $90
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Osaka
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Osaka? 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.
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: Osaka Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Osaka $14
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.36
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Osaka
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Osaka:
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Subway$7.84
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Osaka
Also for Osaka, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Universal Studios Japan Entry Pass & Shared 1-way Transfer: $100
- Transfer from Osaka to Universal Studios: $163
- Shared Departure Transfer: Osaka City to Osaka Itami Airport: $26
- Shared Departure Transfer : Osaka City to Kansai International Airport: $69
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Osaka Itami Airport to Osaka City: $26
- Roundtrip Transfer from Osaka Airport ITM to Arima-Onsen Resorts: $110
- Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Wakayama.: $424
- Private transfer service from Osaka to /from Nara: $215
- Private departure transfer from central Osaka city to Itami airport (ITM): $129
- Private arrival transfer from Kansai airport to Kobe City & Arima Onsen: $95
- Private arrival Transfer from Osaka Itami Airport(ITM) to central Osaka city: $122
- Private Transfer from Osaka hotels to Osaka Cruise Port: $72
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Osaka?
Prices for flights to both Osaka 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $19Osaka $25
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.69
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Osaka
For Osaka, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Takoyaki DIY Cooking in the Heart of Osaka: $23
- Osaka:Food Tour & Shopping(Grand Opening Limited Time Offer): $26
- 2-Hour Kuromon Market Walking Street Food Tour: $27
- Private Takoyaki Cooking Class by Natives in Osaka: $37
- Japanese home cooking class in Osaka Umeda: $47
- Nosatlgic Namba Osaka Street Food Tour.: $48
- Osaka Okonomiyaki Cooking Experience!: $50
- Home Cooking Class: $51
- Homemade Gyoza Cooking Class in Osaka: $51
- Enjoy artistic TEMPURA Cooking Class: $60
- Ramen and Gyoza Cooking Class in Dotonbori: $63
- Three Types of RAMEN Cooking Class: $65
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Osaka $20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Osaka
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Osaka's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Osaka Aquarium (for 2)$30
Tours and Activities in Osaka
For Osaka, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Dotonbori Nightscapes: Photoshooting tour in Dotonbori": $120
- "Experience Kyoto: A Full-Day Private Tour Adventure": $120
- 1-Day walking tour in Osakaļ¼Castle, temples and Ukiyoe: $139
- 150 mins Deep Samurai Experience near Osaka Castle: $184
- 2-Hour Kendo Experience with English Instructor In Osaka Japan: $120
- 2-Hour Osaka Go-Kart Experience with Local Guide from Namba: $142
- 3 Days Private Osaka Kyoto and Nara Tour with English Driver: $1,634
- 3 Hours Historical Tour of Princess Saio on an Electric Cart: $33
- 3-Hour Osaka Local food Hopping tour in Namba: $40
- 3/4/5 Hours Private Tour in Osaka with Local Guide: $120
- 4-Day Private Kyoto Osaka Nara Sightseeing tour with Guide: $2,453
- 4-hour Private Walking Tour to Historical Town of Saiku: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Osaka $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Osaka
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Osaka:
- Osaka Pub Crawl and Nightlife Tour: $23
- Namba Pub Bar Crawl with a Born & Raised Local Guide: $31
- Osaka Nights: Ultimate Pub Bar Crawl with an Expert Local Guide: $33
- Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori and Uranamba Area: $39
- Osaka Local Bar Crawl in Dotombori & Uranamba Area: $40
- 3 Hour Osaka Pub Crawl Weekly Welcome Guided Tour in Namba : $52
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Osaka, we can see that Osaka 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 Osaka 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 Osaka would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Osaka 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 Osaka Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Osaka?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 56% larger than the population of Osaka. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Osaka, 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 Osaka?
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 Osaka in the Summer?
Both Osaka and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Osaka in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Osaka. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Osaka averages at about 28°C (82°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Osaka during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 183 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Osaka. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Osaka. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 157 mm (6.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Osaka 28°C (82°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Osaka in the Autumn?
Both Osaka and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Osaka for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Osaka. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Osaka fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Osaka. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 159 hours of full sun.
Osaka gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Osaka. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Osaka 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Osaka in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Osaka. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Osaka because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Osaka in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Osaka fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Osaka during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Osaka receives 140 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Osaka. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Osaka 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Osaka in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Osaka. Additionally, the activities around the city are the main draw to Osaka this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Osaka. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Osaka averages at about 15°C (59°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Osaka. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Osaka receives 176 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Osaka. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Osaka. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Osaka receives 137 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Osaka 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Osaka and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Osaka | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 137 mm (5.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 204 mm (8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 28°C (82°F) | 157 mm (6.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 29°C (84°F) | 95 mm (3.7 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.