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

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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.

Which place is cheaper, Tartu or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $73, while the average daily cost in Tartu is $113. 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 Tartu in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $41
    Tartu $50
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $82
    Tartu $100
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Tartu

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Tartu? 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 Tartu


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: Tartu Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $8.42
    Tartu $29
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.55

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Saint Petersburg

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

  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Car: $103
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED in Luxury Van: $89
  • St Petersburg Departure Private Transfers from St Petersburg City to Airport LED: $84
  • Departure Private Transfer St Petersburg City to Pulkovo Airport LED - LuxuryCar: $80
  • St Petersburg Transfer from city hotels or Cruise port to Pulkovo Airport (LED): $68
  • St Petersburg Airport Transfers : St Petersburg to Airport LED by Business Car: $63
  • 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
  • Private Transfer from St. Petersburg City Center to Peterhof Palace: $37
  • Private Transfer from Peterhof Palace to St. Petersburg City Center: $36
  • St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport (LED) to hotel - Arrival Private Transfer: $36
  • St. Petersburg to St.Petersburg Pulkovo Airport - Departure Private Transfer: $36

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Tartu?

Prices for flights to both Tartu 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 $21
    Tartu $40
Typical Food prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $5.32

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 Tartu

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:


  • Danishes
    $0.81
  • Lunch for Two
    $5.29
  • Ice Cream
    $1.36
  • Cookies
    $0.54
  • Coffee & Cake
    $3.73

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $21
    Tartu $17

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

Typical Entertainment prices in Tartu

For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:


  • Art Museum ticket
    $1.02
  • Movie Ticket
    $3.73

Tours and Activities in Tartu

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

  • Guided tour “Love stories of Tartu”: $496
  • Tartu Toy Museum Entrance Ticket: $7.46
  • Tartu city cultural tour: $479
  • Tartu city cultural tour: $479
  • 2-Hour Romantic City Walking Tour: $378
  • The best of Tartu walking tour: $496
  • Water Park Entrance Ticket: $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $11
    Tartu $17

Sample the Local Flavors in Tartu

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Tartu:

  • Private Distillery Tour in Tartu with Tastings: $25

About these numbers

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.


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 are around 18°C (64°F), and Tartu is 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.


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

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. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Tartu stays 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Tartu 6°C (43°F)

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 temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually -8°C (18°F) in January, and Tartu stays 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.


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

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 are around 4°C (40°F), and Tartu is 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Tartu 5°C (41°F)

Typical Weather for Tartu and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Tartu
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -7°C (19°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -6°C (20°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 26 mm (1 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (41°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 17°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 11°C (52°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -4°C (25°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Tartu Travel Comparison

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