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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Potsdam?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Potsdam? 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 Potsdam?

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.

Potsdam

Before you lays a treasure chest of historic beauties. From the glimmering Renaissance Orangery Palace that overlooks its sumptuous fountains to the neoclassical Charlottenhof Castle that is surrounded by lush England gardens, you find yourself in none other than Potsdam, Germany. The capital and largest city of the German federal state of Brandenburg, Potsdam borders the German capital Berlin and is located right on the bay of the River Havel. A home for Prussian kings until 1918 and a brainchild of the Enlightenment, Potsdam was constructed thoughtfully and carefully by its architects to create what many to believe as "a picturesque, pastoral dream" and a "balance between both nature and reason." From interconnected lakes to historic landmarks, Potsdam is a city that is bursting with life all year around. With its rich history, it was no wonder various parts of the city were named a World Heritage Site. With its landscape and cityscape rivaling in beauty, Potsdam is simply a breathtaking city that must be explored!

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Coach Bus Tours in Germany, and The Best Adventure Tours to Germany.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Potsdam?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Potsdam. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Potsdam, 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 Potsdam?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Potsdam in the Summer?

Both Potsdam and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Potsdam for the small town charm and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Potsdam in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Potsdam fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Potsdam, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Potsdam. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 232 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Potsdam. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Potsdam in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Potsdam. Also, many visitors come to Potsdam in the autumn for the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Potsdam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Potsdam averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Potsdam during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 114 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Potsdam. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Potsdam in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Potsdam. Also, most visitors come to Potsdam for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Potsdam can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Potsdam. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Potsdam fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Potsdam. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Potsdam receives 47 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Potsdam. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Potsdam in the Spring?

Both Potsdam and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Potsdam because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Potsdam in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Potsdam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Potsdam during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Potsdam receives 168 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Potsdam. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Potsdam receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Potsdam and Saint Petersburg