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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Tartu?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tartu? 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 Tartu?

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.

Tartu

Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, and The Best Budget Tours to Estonia.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Tartu?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Tartu, 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 Tartu?

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 Tartu in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Tartu. Furthermore, most visitors come to Tartu for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Tartu. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Tartu averages at about 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tartu this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tartu during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Tartu receives 265 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Tartu. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tartu in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Tartu. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Tartu. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Tartu fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Tartu. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tartu receives 86 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Tartu. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tartu in the Winter?

Both Tartu and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is cooler than Tartu in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Tartu fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Tartu during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Tartu receives 36 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Tartu. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tartu receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tartu in the Spring?

Both Tartu and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Tartu for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tartu. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Tartu. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Tartu averages at about 5°C (41°F).

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

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

Typical Weather for Tartu and Saint Petersburg