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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Reims?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Reims? 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 Reims?

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.

Reims

Reims lies 129 km (80 mi) east-northeast of Paris. It was founded by the Gauls and became a major city during the Roman Empire. Reims played a prominent ceremonial role in French monarchical history as the traditional site of the crowning of the kings of France. The city's economy is based largely on wine production, for which the Champagne region is famous, and a visit to Reims often includes a popular tasting of the most famous French wines at the 'Maison de Champagne'. Reims has many attractive pedestrian boulevards, Roman remains, art-deco cafes and a flourishing fine-dining scene that counts among it four Michelin-starred restaurants. Of course Reims also has all the shops and other facilities that you would expect in a major city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Historical Tours in France, and The Best 10-Day Tours in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Reims?

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

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 Reims in the Summer?

Both Reims and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Reims in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Reims. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Reims averages at about 19°C (65°F).

In Reims, 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 Reims. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reims receives 235 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Reims in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Reims. Also, most visitors come to Reims for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Reims. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Reims fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Reims during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Reims receives 122 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Reims. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Reims receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Reims in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Reims. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Reims because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Reims can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Reims in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Reims fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Reims. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Reims receives 50 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Reims in the Spring?

Both Reims and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Reims this time of year.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Reims. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Reims averages at about 9°C (49°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Reims during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Reims receives 172 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Reims. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Reims receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Reims and Saint Petersburg