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

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn? 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 Tallinn?

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.

Tallinn

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. It has a population of more than 430,000 people and is a charming, yet cosmopolitan place to visit. The Old Town is at the center of the city's tourism, and the beauty and architecture is very impressive. The city's close proximity to Helsinki makes it a popular day trip from Finland, but cheap plane flights have also encouraged visitors from around Europe to spend several days in this city. In particular, summer months can become quite crowded.

Which city is cheaper, Tallinn or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $62, while the average daily cost in Tallinn is $79. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Tallinn in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $35
    Tallinn $42
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $70
    Tallinn $84
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Tallinn

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Tallinn? 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 Tallinn


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: Saint Petersburg Hotel Prices and Tallinn Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.14
    Tallinn $10
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Petersburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:


  • Metro Passes
    $1.64

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

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

  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • Private Airport Transfer: from St Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $28
  • Departure Private Transfer St. Petersburg to Pulkovo Airport LED by Business Car: $61
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryVan: $39

Typical Local Transportation prices in Tallinn

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tallinn:


  • Tram Around Town for Two
    $1.77

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallinn

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

  • Ultra - Tallinn Private Transfer from Tallinn Cruise Port to City Centre: $8.71
  • Ultra - Tallinn Private Transfer from City Centre to Tallinn Cruise Port: $8.71
  • Tallinn to Riga transfer with Sightseeing: $335
  • Tallinn Walking Tour with Free Time and Port Transfers: $51
  • Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer: $35
  • Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Arrival Transfer: $35
  • Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Car Private Departure Transfer: $60
  • Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Car Private Arrival Transfer: $60
  • Tallinn Return Airport Transfers: $70
  • Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer: $93
  • Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer: $87
  • Tallinn Limo Airport Transfer: $100

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Tallinn?

Prices for flights to both Tallinn 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
    Tallinn $27
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $5.64

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Saint Petersburg

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

  • Enjoy Russian Delicacies in St Petersburg: Cooking Demo and Meal with a Local: $80
  • Private Dining: Russian dinner in a traditional St. Petersburg apartment: $91
  • Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max): $92
  • Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour: $103
  • Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg: $107
  • Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups: $109
  • FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg: $150
  • Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff: $166
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup: $179
  • Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar: $187
  • Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop: $188
  • Private Cooking Class: Siberian Pelmeni, Stolichny salad and Borsch: $212

Typical Food prices in Tallinn

For Tallinn, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $8.18
  • Dessert
    $1.23

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tallinn

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

  • Estonian food tour in Tallinn: $12
  • Tallinn Sunset Dinner Cruise: $73
  • Tallinn Beer House Dinner: $75
  • Tallinn Russian Dinner: $96
  • Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour: $106
  • Tallinn Food Tour with Round-trip Transfer Port-City: $131
  • Tallinn Segway and Food Tour: $156
  • Vegan Food Tours Tallinn: $242

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Tallinn $4.80

Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1-Day Visa-Free Tour in St Petersburg with Faberge Collection: $265
  • 1-day private Visa-Free tour in St Petersburg with Peterhof: $257
  • 1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures: $25
  • 2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg: $20
  • 3 Hour Photo Shoot Tours St. Petersburg, Russia: $564
  • Basic 2-day tour in St Petersburg for cruise passengers: $425
  • Catherine Palace and Park: Private tour to Tsarskoe Selo: $120
  • Classic 2 Day Tour of St Petersburg Russia.No hidden costs.9 years of experience: $349
  • Daily Canon Shot at Peter and Paul Fortress + Museum of Revolution Private Tour: $162
  • Essential 2-Day Visa-Free Tour for Cruise Ships in St Petersburg: $465
  • Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included: $86
  • Guided Tour Peter and Paul Fortress, Cathedral and Prison: $56

Tours and Activities in Tallinn

For Tallinn, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 1 day guided tour to Helsinki from Tallinn by VIP car: $535
  • 1-Hour Good Morning Tallinn Running Tour: $19
  • 2 Hour Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour: $162
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Tallinn: $45
  • 2-hour private tour of Tallinn with transport: $254
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Tallinn: $254
  • 5h Tallinn Old Town, Kadriorg Pirita Small Group Tour: $75
  • 7 Days Small Group Tour: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus & Ukraine: $3,190
  • 8-Day Tour Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia: Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius: $995
  • Admire Tallinn's highlights Walking & Driving Private Tour: $291
  • Aegna Half-Day Guided Tour: Stone Maze and Valley of Boulders: $31
  • Best of Tallinn 2-Hour Bike Tour: $28

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.49
    Tallinn $13

Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn

Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Pub Crawl: $33
  • Nudist Winery Wine Tasting and Winery tour in Tallinn: $44
  • Tallinn Brewery Fiesta: $77
  • Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl: $77
  • Tallinn Bar Crawl: $85
  • Tallinn Beer House Brewery Fiesta: $90
  • City tour Craft Brewery visit and tasting of craft beers ciders and cheeses: $90

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn?

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 Tallinn in the Summer?

Both Tallinn and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Tallinn in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Tallinn in the summer. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 18°C (64°F) in July, and Tallinn stays around 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Tallinn. 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 Tallinn during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Tallinn receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tallinn. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tallinn receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Tallinn 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn in the Autumn?

Both Tallinn and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Tallinn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Tallinn. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October are around 6°C (42°F), and Tallinn is about 7°C (44°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Tallinn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tallinn receives 92 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Tallinn. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tallinn receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Tallinn 7°C (44°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Tallinn. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Tallinn can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Tallinn. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Tallinn stays around -5°C (22°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Tallinn during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Tallinn receives 25 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Tallinn. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tallinn receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Tallinn -5°C (22°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Tallinn. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tallinn in the spring. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Tallinn in the spring. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 4°C (40°F) in April, and Tallinn stays around 4°C (39°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tallinn. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tallinn receives 186 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Tallinn. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tallinn receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Tallinn 4°C (39°F)

Typical Weather for Tallinn and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Tallinn
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -5°C (22°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -6°C (22°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 17°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (60°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 7°C (44°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (34°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -3°C (27°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Tallinn Travel Comparison

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