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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Tampere?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tampere? 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 Tampere?

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.


Which place is cheaper, Tampere or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Tampere is $161. 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 Tampere in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Tampere $87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Tampere $174
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Tampere

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Tampere? 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 Tampere


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: Tampere Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.38
    Tampere $64
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere

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

  • Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport: $1,602
  • Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Tampere?

Prices for flights to both Tampere 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 $19
    Tampere $36
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.67

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Tampere $26

Tours and Activities in Tampere

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tampere.

  • Enchanting Tampere Romantic Walking Tour: $669
  • Unique Corners of Tampere - Walking Tour: $182
  • Unique Corners of Tampere - Walking Tour: $531

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.81
    Tampere $11


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Tampere?

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

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 Tampere in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Tampere.

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Tampere in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampere this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Tampere during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampere. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Tampere 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tampere in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Tampere.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Tampere. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Tampere averages at about 5°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Tampere. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 81 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Tampere. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Tampere 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tampere in the Winter?

Both Tampere and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Tampere can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Tampere. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Tampere fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Tampere during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 37 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Tampere. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Tampere -7°C (19°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tampere in the Spring?

Both Tampere and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit.

The weather in Tampere can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Tampere in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 174 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Tampere. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Tampere 3°C (38°F)

Typical Weather for Tampere and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Tampere
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -7°C (19°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -7°C (19°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -3°C (27°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (38°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 0°C (32°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -4°C (24°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)