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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Porto?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porto? 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 Porto?

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.

Porto

Porto is the second largest city in Portugal. It is also the capital of the Northern Region and a hub for commercial and industrial activity. The city is not as large as you might expect, with a population of only about 300,000 residents, but the metropolitan area has a population of about 2.5 million. This includes nearby cities such as Gaia, Matosinhos, Maia and Gondomar.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Portugal, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Portugal.


Which place is cheaper, Porto 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 Porto is $135. 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 Porto in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Porto $69
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Porto $138
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Porto

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Porto? 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 Porto


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: Porto Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Porto $22
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 Porto

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

  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Porto APT-HTL (OPO): $39
  • Transfer from Porto to the Douro Valley : $218
  • Transfer from Porto Airport to / from Gerês: $128
  • Transfer Train/Bus station Campanhã to Porto City: $23
  • Transfer Porto: $32
  • Transfer Oporto - Aeroport / Up to 4 passengers: $27
  • Transfer From Porto To Lisbon: $283
  • Transfer Airport (OPO) - Porto Centro: $33
  • Tesla S Luxury Executive Porto Airport Transfer: $36
  • TRANSFER: AEROPORTO PORTO>VILA NOVA GAIA SEDAN: $48
  • Service Transfer Airport to Porto or Vila Nova de Gaia: $65
  • São Pedro to Sao Paulo Guarulhos Airport (GRU)-Departure Transfer: $80

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Porto?

Prices for flights to both Porto 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
    Porto $39
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

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Porto

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

  • Pastel de Nata Cooking Class in Downtown Porto: $37
  • Tastiest Calories Food Tour: $48
  • Bolhão Market and Codfish Tasting Guided Food Tour: $52
  • Porto Food Tour: Full Meal & Drinks: $56
  • Porto Food Tour - Do Eat Better Experience: $57
  • 3-Hour Food Tour: $68
  • Half-Day Food Tour: $68
  • Portuguese Craft Beer and Food Tour: $74
  • Semi - Private Oporto Food Tour: $74
  • Craft Beer & Food Tour in Porto: $75
  • Secret Food Tour: $77
  • Semi Private Oporto Fado Show with Dinner: $80

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Porto $27

Tours and Activities in Porto

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

  • 4 Hour Blissful Wave Experience at Maceda Haven: $76
  • Ultimate Ribeira Walking Tour: $2.60
  • 1 Day Tour to Douro Valley from Porto: $207
  • 1.5-Hour Private Electric Tuk Tuk Sightseeing Tour Historic Porto: $26
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto Douro to Left bank: $63
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $81
  • 2 Hour Private Tuktuk Tour in Porto to Monastery and Cellars: $79
  • 3-Hour Cano-Rafting Tour on the Paiva River: $49
  • 3-Hour Electric Porto Bike Tour: $49
  • 3-Hour Porto Highlights on a Electric Bike Guided Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Private Bike Tour Porto: $135
  • 3-Hour Walking Tour: Tiles of Porto: $30

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Porto $20

Sample the Local Flavors in Porto

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Porto:

  • Museu do Vitral Entry Ticket and Wine Tasting: $8.56
  • Guided City Pub Crawl with Club Entry: $13
  • Magic Train Tour and Port Wine Tastings: $15
  • Mysterious Pub Crawl Interactive City Discovery Game: $19
  • Pub Crawl with 5 Drinks: $19
  • Porto Pub Crawl With Unlimited Beer: $20
  • Pub Crawl with Shots and Drinking Games: $21
  • Poças: Guided Tour & Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Poças Guided Visit and Port Wine Tasting with Pastel de Nata: $21
  • Rooftop Fado concert, Port wine tasting, Portuguese tart: $21
  • Classic Wine Tasting with GUIDED TOUR: $22
  • Pub Crawl Porto: $23


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Porto, we can see that Porto 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 Porto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porto 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 Porto Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Porto?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Porto. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Porto, 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 Porto?

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 Porto in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Porto. Furthermore, many travelers come to Porto for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Porto. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Porto fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porto this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Porto during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 308 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Porto. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Porto 21°C (69°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porto in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Porto. Additionally, many visitors come to Porto in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Porto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Porto fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Porto. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 184 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Porto. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Porto. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porto receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Porto 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porto in the Winter?

Both Porto and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Porto for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Porto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Porto averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Porto during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Porto receives 124 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Porto. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Porto. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Porto receives 171 mm (6.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Porto 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porto in the Spring?

Both Porto and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Porto because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Porto. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Porto fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In Porto, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Porto. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porto receives 217 hours of full sun.

Porto gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Porto. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Porto receives 112 mm (4.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Porto 14°C (56°F)

Typical Weather for Porto and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Porto
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 169 mm (6.7 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (56°F) 112 mm (4.4 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 21°C (69°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 20°C (69°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 20°C (67°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 17°C (62°F) 131 mm (5.2 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 11°C (51°F) 176 mm (6.9 in)