Which place is cheaper, Tallinn or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Tallinn $106
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Tallinn is $106. 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 Tallinn in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Tallinn $52
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Tallinn $104
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.
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: Tallinn Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.22Tallinn $14
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$1.33
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$1.86
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallinn
Also for Tallinn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Airport Transfer: $44
- Private Airport Transfer: $33
- Highlights Shore Excursion with Return Transfer: $54
- Beginner Archery Class with Transfer: $82
- Airport Transfer Service: $49
- Tallinn hotels to Tallinn Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $17
- Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer: $127
- Tallinn Limo Airport Transfer: $77
- Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (TLL): Transfer to Tallinn Port: $104
- Tallinn Highlights Shore Excursion With Port Return Transfer: $66
- Tallinn Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tallinn hotels: $104
- Tallinn Cruise Port to Tallinn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $33
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
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Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $18Tallinn $40
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$4.56
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$8.57
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Dessert$1.29
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tallinn
For Tallinn, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tallinn Russian Dinner: $86
- Tallinn Beer House Dinner: $98
- Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour: $129
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Tallinn $6.28
Tours and Activities in Tallinn
For Tallinn, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- "Legends and Landmarks: A Tallinn Walking Adventure": $22
- 1-Hour Good Morning Tallinn Running Tour: $17
- 2 Hour Tales of Tallinn Private Car Tour: $67
- 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Tallinn: $37
- 2-hour private tour of Tallinn with transport: $278
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Tallinn: $192
- 3-Hour Private Tour of Tallinn: $300
- 5 Hour Deluxe Shore Excursion in Tallinn from Cruise Port: $49
- Accessible tour in Tallinn: $755
- Aegna Island: Self-Guided Discovery Tour: $8.74
- All-in-One Tallinn - See stunning Estonian Capital from a Cruise Ship or Hotel: $88
- All-in-One Tallinn Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships: $74
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.59Tallinn $17
Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn
Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Talinn: Bar Crawl with Shots, Beer, and Nightclub Entry: $22
- Tallinn Pub Crawl (Ex The Epic Bar Crawl): $23
- Tallinn Exclusive Pub & Bar Crawl - Free Drink, Local Guide: $43
- Tallinn Brewery Fiesta: $74
- Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl: $126
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.
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 Tallinn Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Tallinn?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Tallinn. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Tallinn, 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 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 daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Tallinn fluctuates 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.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint 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 average around 6°C (42°F), and Tallinn averages at 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.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint 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. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Tallinn fluctuates 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.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint 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 daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Tallinn fluctuates 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.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint 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) |
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.