Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tallinn? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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 $65, while the average daily cost in Tallinn is $88. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Saint Petersburg and Tallinn in more detail.
Accommodation
An average hotel room with basic furnishings costs about $74 in Saint Petersburg For the most convenient locations and nicer amenities you can expect to pay a bit more.
The prices for places to stay in Tallinn can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $47, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $94.
Food
Food in Saint Petersburg costs travelers about $19 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
Tallinn food costs typically run travelers around $29 per day. Eating every meal in a nicer restaurant will drive the cost up, and grabbing fast food or casual meals will help you save money.
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Food
Meals for one day
Saint Petersburg $19
Tallinn $29
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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:
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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
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Cooking Class and a Dinner with a Local Family (8 people max):
$92
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Off-the-tourist Path Food Tour:
$103
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Local Market Tour and Cooking Demo with a Homemade Russian Meal in St Petersburg:
$107
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Borscht and cabbage pie cooking class and dinner for small private groups:
$109
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FOOD TOUR. St.Petersburg:
$150
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Private Cooking Class: Learn the secrets of Borsch and Beef Stroganoff:
$166
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Private Cooking Class: Russian Blini with Red Caviar and Shchi soup:
$179
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Private Cooking Class: Russian Shchi soup and Blini with Red Caviar:
$187
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Private Cooking Class: Hands-on Siberian Pelmeni Making Workshop:
$188
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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:
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Lunch for Two
$9.07
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Dessert
$1.36
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
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Tallinn Sunset Dinner Cruise:
$73
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Tallinn Beer House Dinner:
$75
-
Tallinn Russian Dinner:
$96
-
Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour:
$106
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Tallinn Food Tour with Round-trip Transfer Port-City:
$131
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Tallinn Segway and Food Tour:
$156
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Vegan Food Tours Tallinn:
$242
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Saint Petersburg than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $7.43 on transportation in Saint Petersburg on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Tallinn than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend $11 on transportation in Tallinn on average per day.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg
Also for Saint Petersburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer:
$36
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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
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St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED:
$84
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St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van:
$89
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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
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Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace:
$37
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Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center:
$36
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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:
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Tram Around Town for Two
$1.97
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallinn
Also for Tallinn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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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
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Tallinn Walking Tour with Free Time and Port Transfers:
$51
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Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Departure Transfer:
$35
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Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Van Private Arrival Transfer:
$35
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Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Car Private Departure Transfer:
$60
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Tallinn TLL Airport Luxury Car Private Arrival Transfer:
$60
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Tallinn Return Airport Transfers:
$70
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Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer:
$93
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Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer:
$87
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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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Saint Petersburg, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $18 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Tallinn, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of $5.32 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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1-Day Visa-Free Tour in St Petersburg with Faberge Collection:
$265
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1-day private Visa-Free tour in St Petersburg with Peterhof:
$257
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1.5-Hours Saint Petersburg's Metro Tour Hidden Treasures:
$25
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2-Day Small-Group Visa-Free Tour - Top Highlights of St Petersburg:
$20
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3 Hour Photo Shoot Tours St. Petersburg, Russia:
$564
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Basic 2-day tour in St Petersburg for cruise passengers:
$425
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Catherine Palace and Park: Private tour to Tsarskoe Selo:
$120
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Classic 2 Day Tour of St Petersburg Russia.No hidden costs.9 years of experience:
$349
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Daily Canon Shot at Peter and Paul Fortress + Museum of Revolution Private Tour:
$162
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Essential 2-Day Visa-Free Tour for Cruise Ships in St Petersburg:
$465
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Evening River and Canal Cruise Visas Included:
$86
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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:
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1 day guided tour to Helsinki from Tallinn by VIP car:
$535
-
1-Hour Good Morning Tallinn Running Tour:
$19
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2 Hour Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour:
$162
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2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Tallinn:
$45
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2-hour private tour of Tallinn with transport:
$254
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3-Hour Private Tour of Tallinn:
$254
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5h Tallinn Old Town, Kadriorg Pirita Small Group Tour:
$75
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7 Days Small Group Tour: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus & Ukraine:
$3,190
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8-Day Tour Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia: Tallinn, Riga, Vilnius:
$995
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Admire Tallinn's highlights Walking & Driving Private Tour:
$291
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Aegna Half-Day Guided Tour: Stone Maze and Valley of Boulders:
$31
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Best of Tallinn Private Tour:
$184
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Saint Petersburg spend on average $9.88 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Typically, people visiting Tallinn spend on average $14 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn
Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
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Nudist Winery Wine Tasting and Winery tour in Tallinn:
$44
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Tallinn Brewery Fiesta:
$77
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Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl:
$77
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Tallinn Bar Crawl:
$85
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Tallinn Beer House Brewery Fiesta:
$90
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City tour Craft Brewery visit and tasting of craft beers ciders and cheeses:
$90
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.
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