Which place is cheaper, Seoul or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Seoul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Seoul? 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 Seoul?
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.
Seoul
With a population of more than 11 million, Seoul is easily the largest city in South Korea. It is also the financial, political, and cultural capital of the country and has much to offer open minded travelers. It is often overlooked by travelers who instead head to Tokyo or Shanghai, but Seoul has a wide range of cultural experiences, food options, and historical sights. Seoul is a city of contrasts with ancient traditions, flashy technology, religious temples and a modern youth culture. It is also more affordable than many of the other Asian metropolis' to which it is often compared. If you're looking for an interesting and different experience that is a little off the tourist trail, Seoul can definitely offer that opportunity.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to South Korea, and The Best Adventure Tours to South Korea.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Seoul $107
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Seoul is $107. 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 Seoul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Seoul $54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Seoul $108
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Seoul
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Seoul? 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: Seoul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Seoul $15
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Seoul
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Seoul:
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Subway Card$3.62
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Short Taxi Ride$5.07
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Metro Ride$0.98
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Seoul City Pass Plus$7.24
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Seoul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Seoul:
- Private Transfer l Airport to/from Seoul: $100
- Private Transfer To/From Incheon Airport: $99
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Seoul to Seoul Incheon Airport (ICN) - Departure Private Transfer: $47
- Seoul Incheon International Airport to from Incheon Private Transfer: $85
- Seoul Airport: Private Departure Transfer from Seoul City Center: $87
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Incheon Airport (1-5 pax): $98
- Private Airport Transfer: Seoul City to Gimpo Airport (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer: Gimpo Airport to Seoul City (1-12 pax): $167
- Private Airport Transfer : Incheon airport to/from Seoul(~7 pax): $99
- Private Airport Transfer : Gimpo airport to/from Seoul (1~7pax): $95
- Private Airport Transfer * Incheon Airport <-> Seoul (1-5 people): $100
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Seoul?
Prices for flights to both Seoul 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 $18Seoul $30
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
Typical Food Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Seoul are as follows:
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Rice with Kimchi & Bacon$4.34
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Waffle$0.72
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Dippin' Dots$1.45
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Chicken Fried Rice$3.98
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Chicken Stick$1.45
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Drinking Yoghurt & Mi Chew$1.38
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Lunch Buffet$4.34
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Donut$0.72
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Mushroom Burger$3.76
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Green Tea Ice Cream$2.39
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Udon & Sushi$5.07
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Fresh Burger$3.48
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Soba Noodles Lunch$3.26
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Bibimbap Lunch$3.62
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Fried Rice$3.98
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Vietnamese Dinner$6.88
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Breakfast and Coffee for 2$6.88
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Donut$1.81
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Seoul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Seoul.
- Gyeongbokgung Palace : Tour, dinner and coffee: $36
- Seoul Mangwon Market Social Night Food Tour: $44
- Namdaemun Market: the Largest Traditional Market Food Tour: $46
- Namdaemun Market Street Food Tour: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals; Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $47
- Mangwon Market Food tour By Locals;Cheap Eats to Fancy Feast: $53
- Gwangjang Market Netflix Food Tour: $54
- Guided City Wall Sunset Hike with Korean Dinner: $57
- Seoul Ultimate Food Tour: $65
- HalfDay Seoul Afternoon Food Tour and visit 3 land Marks of Seoul: $67
- Night Market Food Tour: $70
- Energizing Korean Cooking Class in a Local Home in Seoul: $71
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Seoul $26
Typical Entertainment Prices in Seoul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Seoul are as follows:
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Palace Tickets$5.79
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Movie Ticket$5.79
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Kimchi Museum$2.17
Tours and Activities in Seoul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Seoul are as follows:
- Full Day Tour Jeonju Hanok Village, Wansan Park and Gakwonsa: $72
- Private Tour Nami Island with Petite France 'and/or' The Garden of Morning Calm: $98
- 1 Day Private Full DMZ Tour in Seoul with Crystal Gondola: $220
- 2-Hour Makgeolli Tasting Experience in Seoul: $37
- 2-Hour Private Kayaking and Paddleboarding Experience in Hanriver: $30
- 2D 1N Phoenix Pyeongchang Reseot Stay + Trout Ice-Fishing Festival Tour: $144
- 3 Hour Walking Tour in Songpa Seoul: $48
- 3-Hour Self-guided Sokcho Tour with Private Transportation: $33
- 365-day DMZ Special Tour including Monday & National Holiday: $55
- ARMY must visit BTS tour in Seoul: $55
- Activity - Mt. Bukhan Hiking Guided Tour: $150
- Afternoon Half Day Seoul City Tour, visit Queen's dorm: $67
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Seoul $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Seoul
Also in Seoul, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Chunpoong Makgeolli Brewery Tour: $10
- Seoul Pub Crawl by Absolute: $20
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $21
- Pub Crawl: $25
- The Seoul Pub Crawl [official]: $25
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - story of 3 pigs: $42
- Soju Tasting at Distillery - Story of Three Pigs: $42
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Seoul, we can see that Seoul is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Seoul is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Seoul would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Seoul 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 Seoul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Seoul?
Seoul has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Saint Petersburg. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Seoul, 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 Seoul?
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 Seoul in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Seoul. Additionally, many travelers come to Seoul for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Seoul in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Seoul fluctuates around 26°C (78°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Seoul. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 121 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Seoul. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Seoul. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 369 mm (14.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Seoul 26°C (78°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Seoul in the Autumn?
Both Seoul and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Seoul in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Seoul. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Seoul averages at about 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Seoul. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Seoul during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 204 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Seoul. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Seoul 15°C (59°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Seoul in the Winter?
Both Seoul and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Seoul for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Seoul can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Seoul. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Seoul fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Seoul. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Seoul receives 163 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Seoul. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Seoul -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Seoul in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Seoul. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Seoul because of the activities around the city.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Seoul in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Seoul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Seoul this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Seoul during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Seoul receives 205 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Seoul. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Seoul receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Seoul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Seoul and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Seoul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 26°C (78°F) | 369 mm (14.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 294 mm (11.6 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 169 mm (6.7 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 22 mm (0.9 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.