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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Porvoo?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porvoo? 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 Porvoo?

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.

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Porvoo?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Porvoo, 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 Porvoo?

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 Porvoo in the Summer?

Both Porvoo and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Porvoo. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Porvoo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Porvoo. 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 Porvoo during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Porvoo receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Porvoo. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porvoo in the Autumn?

Both Porvoo and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Porvoo in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Porvoo fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Porvoo. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porvoo receives 90 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Porvoo. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porvoo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Porvoo.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Porvoo. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Porvoo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Porvoo averages at about -6°C (21°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Porvoo during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Porvoo receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Porvoo. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Porvoo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Porvoo.

Porvoo can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Porvoo. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Porvoo fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Porvoo. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Porvoo receives 183 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Porvoo. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Porvoo receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Porvoo and Saint Petersburg