Which place is cheaper, Phoenix or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Phoenix?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Phoenix? 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 Phoenix?
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.
Phoenix
The most populous city in the American Southwest, Phoenix is the capital city of Arizona and busiest hub of activity in the general area. Geographically it is located in the Sonoran Desert, making for long hot summers and mild winters. This climate has ensured a thriving tourism industry with plenty of attractions both in and around Phoenix.
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 $64Phoenix $238
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Phoenix is $238. 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 Phoenix in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Phoenix $144
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Phoenix $288
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Phoenix
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Phoenix? 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: Phoenix Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Phoenix $39
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 Phoenix
Also for Phoenix, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
- Private Transfer from Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Business Car: $90
- Private Transfer from Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Private Transfer From Hotels To Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport PHX : $41
- One-Way Transfer Sky Harbor Airport to Phoenix: $104
- Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (PHX) to Phoenix - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $116
- Phoenix International Airport (PHX) - Private transfer From/to Hotels: $118
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury Van: $140
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Luxury SUV: $104
- Departure Private Transfer: Phoenix to Sky Harbor Airport PHX in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfer Phoenix City to Phoenix Airport PHX : $110
- Arrival Private Transfer: Sky Harbor Airport PHX to Phoenix in Luxury SUV: $104
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Phoenix?
Prices for flights to both Phoenix 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 $19Phoenix $52
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 Phoenix
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Phoenix:
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Nice Lunch (for 2)$36
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Indian Food Dinner (for 2)$32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Phoenix
For Phoenix, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Awesome French Crêpes Cooking Class: $75
- Old Town Scottsdale Food Tour: $92
- Downtown Phoenix Food Tour: $92
- Scottsdale Waterfront Food Tour: $95
- Quiche Lorraine French Cooking Class in Scottsdale: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Phoenix $40
Tours and Activities in Phoenix
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Phoenix.
- 1.5 Hour Stretch Limo Golf Cart Tour, Ultimate Old Town Exploration: $89
- 2 Hour Scottsdale Segway Tours - Ultimate Old Town Exploration: $89
- 2 Hour Segway Tour - Sunsets, Segways & City Lights: $89
- 2-Hour Arizona Desert Guided E-Bike Tour: $135
- 2.5 Hour FAT Tire E-Bike Tour – Scottsdale Greenbelt Adventure: $100
- 3 Cities & Nature Tour. Shop, Art, History, Food. Scottsdale, Phoenix, & Tempe.: $168
- 3 Hour Guided TomCar ATV Tour in Sonoran Desert: $219
- Adventure Yoga Experience on Camelback Mountain: $75
- Apache Trail and Dolly Steamboat Van Tour: $160
- Black Ops Experience: $259
- Boat Cruise in Lake Pleasant Arizona: $89
- Box Canyon ATV Tour in Florence, Arizona: $235
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Phoenix $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Phoenix
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Phoenix:
- Scottsdale Bar Hunt: Scorching Scottsdale Bar Crawl: $12
- Pedal Bar Crawl of Old Town Scottsdale: $55
- Stretch Limo Party Cart - Custom Bar Crawls, Wine Tastings, Night Clubs & More: $155
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Phoenix?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Phoenix. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?
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 Phoenix in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Phoenix. Furthermore, most visitors come to Phoenix for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Phoenix 98°F (36°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Phoenix in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Phoenix. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Phoenix because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Phoenix 79°F (26°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Phoenix in the Winter?
Both Phoenix and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.
The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).
It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Phoenix 58°F (14°C)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Phoenix in the Spring?
Both Phoenix and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.
It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).
In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Phoenix 74°F (23°C)
Typical Weather for Phoenix and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Phoenix | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 58°F (14°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 62°F (17°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 74°F (23°C) | 0.2 inches (6 mm) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 83°F (28°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 92°F (34°C) | 0.1 inches (3 mm) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 98°F (36°C) | 0.8 inches (21 mm) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 96°F (35°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 90°F (32°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 79°F (26°C) | 0.7 inches (17 mm) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 66°F (19°C) | 0.7 inches (18 mm) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 58°F (15°C) | 1 inches (25 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.