Which place is cheaper, Philadelphia or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia? 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 Philadelphia?
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.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia is the fourth largest urban area, and the fifth largest city in the United States. It's located in southeastern Pennsylvania and has a rich history, having once been the capital of the United States. The city has very impressive architecture, museums, universities, and entertainment venues. It's a cultural and artistic center for the country and it continues to climb as a top travel destination.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Philadelphia $188
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Philadelphia is $188. 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 Philadelphia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Philadelphia $119
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Philadelphia $238
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Philadelphia
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia? 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: Philadelphia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Philadelphia $28
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Philadelphia
Also for Philadelphia, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer: Philadelphia Airport PHL to Philadelphia in Business Car: $95
- Philadelphia to Philadelphia Airport (PHL) - Departure Private Transfer: $66
- Philadelphia City to Washington City - Private Car Transfer: $135
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL): Private Transfer to Philadelphia: $355
- Philadelphia Airport (PHL) to Philadelphia - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia?
Prices for flights to both Philadelphia 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 $19Philadelphia $49
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
Typical Food Prices in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Casual Lunch (for 3)$27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Locals' Favorites Food Tour: $52
- Best of Philly Food Tour: $55
- Best of Philadelphia Food Tour-Small Group Walking Tour: $59
- 9th Street Italian Market Walking Food Tour: $61
- Bites and Booze: Walking Food Tour in Philadelphia : $65
- Flavors of Philly Food Tour: $65
- Philadelphia's Delicious Donut Adventure & Walking Food Tour: $65
- Buffet Brunch, Lunch, or Dinner Cruise: $66
- Secret Food Tour: $84
- Highlights of East Passyunk Food Tour: $85
- Chef-Led Taste of the Italian Market Food Tour: $90
- Spirit of Philadelphia Signature Dinner Cruise with Buffet: $95
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Philadelphia $28
Typical Entertainment Prices in Philadelphia
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Philadelphia's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Big Bus Tour (family of 3)$99
Tours and Activities in Philadelphia
For Philadelphia, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 2 Hours Ben Franklin Yacht Brunch Cruise with Buffet: $65
- A Magical Christmas Tour in Philadelphia: $558
- Amazing Philadelphia Scavenger Hunt Adventure: $44
- Art and Controversy: An audio tour of Philadelphia's most infamous art scandals: $5.40
- BYOB Historically Hilarious Trolley Tour of Philadelphia: $49
- Best of Philadelphia Small Group Walking Tour: $104
- City Sightseeing Walking Tour – Founding Fathers and Mothers: $32
- Classic Philadelphia City Bike Tour: $75
- Cocktail Caravan: Philly Walking Bar Tour: $35
- Dark Philly Adult Night Tour: $38
- Discovering Colonial Philadelphia Private Walking Tour: $250
- Double Decker Hop-On Hop-Off City Sightseeing Philadelphia (1, 2, or 3-Day): $36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Philadelphia $21
Sample the Local Flavors in Philadelphia
Also in Philadelphia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Liberty History Tour Pub Crawl: $45
- Guided Tour with Pub Crawl: $45
- Half-Day Philadelphia's Brewery Bike Tour with Tastings: $100
- Philly Signature Guided Brewery Tour: $105
- Guided Craft Brewery Tours with a Snack: $120
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Philadelphia, we can see that Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia is in North America, 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 Philadelphia would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Philadelphia. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?
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 Philadelphia in the Summer?
Both Philadelphia and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Philadelphia in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).
It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Philadelphia 77°F (25°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia in the Autumn?
Both Philadelphia and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Philadelphia for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Philadelphia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 56°F (14°C).
In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Philadelphia 56°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Philadelphia. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.
The weather in Philadelphia can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Philadelphia 30°F (-1°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Philadelphia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Philadelphia. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Philadelphia in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Philadelphia. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Philadelphia 52°F (11°C)
Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Philadelphia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 30°F (-1°C) | 2.3 inches (58 mm) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 33°F (1°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 42°F (6°C) | 2.7 inches (68 mm) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 52°F (11°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 63°F (17°C) | 2.8 inches (70 mm) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (76 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 77°F (25°C) | 3.9 inches (100 mm) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 76°F (24°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 56°F (14°C) | 1.9 inches (48 mm) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 inches (64 mm) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.7 inches (69 mm) |
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.