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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Pisa?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pisa? 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 Pisa?

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.

Pisa

Located in Tuscany, Pisa is most famous for its Leaning Tower. The city has a population of about 100,000 people and there are a surprising number of impressive sights that you might miss if you simply pass through to see the tower. There are many architectural and artistic sights that make the city noteworthy as well. The atmosphere of Pisa is also influenced by its university. Of the 100,000 person population, about 60,000 are students. The students bring the city to life with many parties, shows, and interesting cultural events. They stay active into the night and entertainment options are not limited. The student presence is most obvious once you're outside of the touristy Campo dei Miracoli.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Pisa or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Pisa is $128. 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 Pisa in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Pisa $64
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Pisa $128
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Pisa

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Pisa? 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 Pisa


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: Pisa Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Pisa $12
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pisa

Also for Pisa, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Transfer from Pisa to Siena with stop in San Gimignano for lunch: $273
  • Tasting in a Tuscan Vineyard from Pisa with Transfer: $97
  • Private Transfer: Pisa city to Pisa Airport PSA in Luxury Van: $85
  • Private Transfer: Pisa Airport PSA to Pisa city in Luxury Van: $85
  • Private Transfer from Pisa city hotels to Livorno Cruise Port: $91
  • Private Transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence Hotels: $202
  • Private Transfer from Pisa Airport to Florence City centre: $291
  • Private Transfer from Pisa Airport (PSA) to La Spezia Cruise Port: $92
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Volterra: $229
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Viareggio: $136
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to Vecchiano: $69
  • Private Transfer from Pisa (PSA) Airport to San Giuliano Terme: $69

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Pisa?

Prices for flights to both Pisa 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 $18
    Pisa $53
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.61

Typical Food Prices in Pisa

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Pisa:


  • Dinner
    $80

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pisa

For Pisa, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Chianni: wine and oil tasting with lunch or dinner: $39
  • Home-made Pasta Cooking Class: $75
  • Private Home-Made Pasta Cooking Class in Pisa.: $93
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Pontedera with cooking demo: $93
  • Pisa Food Tour: $95
  • Pisa Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $101
  • Hands-On Cooking Class at a Local's Home: $155
  • Private Cooking Class at a Cesarina's Home in Pisa: $158
  • Authentic Italian Food Tour in Pisa: $521

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Pisa $21

Tours and Activities in Pisa

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Pisa.

  • Skip-the-Line Best of Pisa and Leaning Tower Guided Tour for Kids and Families: $273
  • 2-Day Tour: Pisa, Cinque Terre & Tuscany: $320
  • 2-Hour Small-Group Walking Tour of Pisa Off The Beaten Path: $27
  • Adventure in Pisa + Tower Admission: $182
  • Best of Pisa Guided Walking Tour with Leaning Tower Entry Ticket: $53
  • Best of Small group tour with admission tickets: $57
  • Bocelli Chianti Hills E-Bike Guided Tour + Wine Food Tasting: $157
  • Carrara Marble Quarries Tour by Land Rover: $82
  • Carrara Marble Quarry Tour with Food Tasting: $97
  • Carrara: Exclusive Marble Cave Tour Adventure in a 4x4: $82
  • Cinque Terre tour in Small Group from Pisa: $184
  • Discovering Pisa in Christmas Time – Walking Tour: $443

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Pisa -

Sample the Local Flavors in Pisa

Also in Pisa, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Cathedral Guided Tour & Wine Tasting & Optional Tower: $48
  • Pisa guided tour and Wine tasting with Leaning Tower ticket (option): $50
  • Winery Tour and Wine Tasting with Local Food Pairing: $75
  • From Pisa or Lucca: Half-Day Tuscany Chianti Wine Tasting: $90
  • Chianti Half-day Wine Tour in the Tuscan's Hills from Pisa: $97
  • Guided tour in San Miniato and wine tasting!: $99
  • Tuscan Wine Tour in Pisa by shuttle: $163
  • Pisa & Lucca with wine Tasting and Lunch from Livorno: $663


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Pisa, we can see that Pisa is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Pisa would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pisa 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 Pisa Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Pisa?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Pisa. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Pisa, 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 Pisa?

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 Pisa in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Pisa. Furthermore, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Pisa this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Pisa in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Pisa fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Pisa this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Pisa. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Pisa 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pisa in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Pisa. Additionally, many travelers come to Pisa for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Pisa. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Pisa averages at about 17°C (63°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Pisa. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 177 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Pisa. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Pisa. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Pisa 17°C (63°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pisa in the Winter?

Both Pisa and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Pisa in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Pisa. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Pisa fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Pisa during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Pisa receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Pisa. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Pisa 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pisa in the Spring?

Both Pisa and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Pisa for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Pisa in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Pisa fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pisa. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pisa receives 192 hours of full sun.

Pisa gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Pisa. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pisa receives 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Pisa 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Pisa and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Pisa
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 8°C (46°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (52°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 20°C (68°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 23°C (73°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 23°C (73°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 21°C (70°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 150 mm (5.9 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 110 mm (4.3 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 8°C (46°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)