Which place is cheaper, Pompeii or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Pompeii?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pompeii? 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 Pompeii?
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.
Pompeii
Pompeii was once a 160-acre Roman port city, called home by more than 20,000 residents. In 79 A.D., Mount Vesuvius erupted and after burying the entire city 16 feet deep in ash, the debris destroyed everything in its path, killing thousands of people and affecting more than 200 square miles around the area.
However, the phenomenon is that the ash preserved everything as it was in that time and to this day, you can visit and observe life as it was nearly two thousand years ago, as figures of people running from the explosion have been burned permanently into history.
The best time to visit Pompeii is during spring, after the rains of March and before the scorching heat of June and July. On the downside, this is the beginning of the busy season for tourists, so while you'll enjoy pleasant weather, you won't be likely to avoid crowds. Conversely, November starts the low-season for travel, so you can easily skip the crowds, though you may have to compromise on weather, as the rains return this time of year. Rain and crowds won't be an issue if you visit during winter, but be warned, temperatures drop down to the 50's during the day, accompanied by winds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Italy, and The Best Walking Tours in Italy.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Pompeii $161
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Pompeii is $161. 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 Pompeii in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Pompeii $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Pompeii $150
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Pompeii
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Pompeii? 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: Pompeii Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Pompeii $57
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$1.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pompeii
Also for Pompeii, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfers from Naples to Sorrento Positano Amalfi Ravello Maiori: $97
- Transfers Ravello - Naples: $207
- Transfer from Pompeii to Naples or viceversa: $66
- Transfer Ravello to Naples: $121
- Transfer Private from Ravello to Naples: $239
- Small Group Pompeii Wine Tasting with Lunch & Transfer Included : $97
- Private transfer from Ravello to Naples: $121
- Private transfer Ravello to Naples: $121
- Organic Wine Tasting & Lunch on Vesuvius with Transfer from Pompeii: $132
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Pompeii?
Prices for flights to both Pompeii 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 $18Pompeii $38
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$4.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Pompeii
For Pompeii, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traditional Neapolitan Dinner in Pompei - Villa Franca - Family Restourant: $38
- Cooking Class with Italian Mamma in Pompeii: $65
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Pompei: $93
- Pompei tour with a 2000 years roman dinner: $112
- Small Group Market tour and Cooking class in Pompei: $142
- Private Pizza & Tiramisu Class at a Cesarina's home with tasting in Pompei: $158
- Private Cooking Class with Lunch or Dinner in Pompei: $158
- Private market tour and cooking class with lunch or dinner in Pompei: $206
- guided tour of the ruins and cooking class fresh pasta : $272
- Cooking class: Pasta Experience in Pompei, Italy: $300
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Pompeii $82
Tours and Activities in Pompeii
For Pompeii, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Pompeii Archeological Site Fast Track Entry Ticket : $36
- Pompeii Day Tour: $97
- 2 Hour Private Walking Tour with Certified Guide in Pompeii: $251
- 2 Hours Private Tour of Pompeii for Journey Through Time: $196
- 2 Hours Walking Tour in Pompeii with an Archaeologist: $272
- 2 days tour: Pompei & Naples center with underground: $207
- 2 hours Pompeii Tour with local historian - ticket included: $60
- 2-hour Private Guided Tour of Pompeii: $272
- Best of Pompeii - 2 hour Private Tour with Alex: $271
- Complete Pompeii Skip the Line Tour with Archaeologist Guide: $55
- Discover Pompeii on this Guided Walking Tour of the Buried City: $63
- Discover hidden secrets of Pompei on a Private tour with a local: $118
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Pompeii $7.84
Sample the Local Flavors in Pompeii
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Pompeii:
- Wine Tasting Tour on the Slopes of Vesuvius: $46
- Wine Tasting on Mt. Vesuvius: $55
- Seafood Lunch with Wine Tasting & Tour on a golf cart: $87
- Guided Tour of Pompeii Ruins with Lunch and Wine Tasting: $98
- Private Wine Tour and Tasting in Pompeii with a Local: $124
- Pompeii Guided Tour & Horse Riding on Vesuvius with Wine Tasting: $191
- Pompeii, Herculaneum and scenic drive of the Mt. Vesuvius with wine tasting: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Pompeii, we can see that Pompeii 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 Pompeii would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Pompeii 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 Pompeii Expensive?.
When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Pompeii?
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 Pompeii in the Summer?
Both Pompeii and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Pompeii for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Pompeii. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Pompeii averages at about 23°C (74°F).
It's quite sunny in Pompeii. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 313 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Pompeii. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Pompeii 23°C (74°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pompeii in the Autumn?
Both Pompeii and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Pompeii. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Pompeii fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Pompeii. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.
Pompeii gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Pompeii. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 132 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Pompeii 17°C (63°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pompeii in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Pompeii. Furthermore, most visitors come to Pompeii for the museums during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Pompeii in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Pompeii fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Pompeii during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Pompeii receives 115 hours of full sun in the winter.
Pompeii receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Pompeii. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Pompeii 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Pompeii in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Pompeii.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Pompeii. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Pompeii averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Pompeii. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pompeii receives 189 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Pompeii. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Pompeii receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Pompeii 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Pompeii and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Pompeii | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 161 mm (6.3 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 118 mm (4.6 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.