Which place is cheaper, Thessaloniki or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki? 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 Thessaloniki?
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.
Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki is the second largest city in Greece and serves as the capital city of the Central Macedonia region. It also has a rich history dating back more than 3,000 years. As a visitor, you'll find that the city has been touched by the Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman empires, all of which left their mark. In particular, the many Byzantine churches are quite impressive, with some of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Greece, and The Best Contiki Tours to Greece.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Thessaloniki $144
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Thessaloniki is $144. 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 Thessaloniki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Thessaloniki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Thessaloniki $170
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Thessaloniki
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki? 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: Thessaloniki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Thessaloniki $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$1.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Thessaloniki
Also for Thessaloniki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from Thessaloniki to Ikos Oceania: $153
- Bus Transfer to/from Kavala: $18
- Thessaloniki to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) - Departure Transfer: $21
- Thessaloniki Cruise Port: Transfer to Thessaloniki city: $142
- Thessaloniki Airport to TUI Blue Lagoon Hotels Private Transfer: $93
- Thessaloniki Airport to Sani Hotels Private Transfer: $98
- Thessaloniki Airport to Portes Lithos Luxury Resort Private Transfer: $82
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Olivia Hotel Private Transfer: $98
- Thessaloniki Airport to Ikos Oceania Hotel Private Transfer: $87
- Thessaloniki Airport to Alia Palace Hotel Private Transfer: $131
- Thessaloniki Airport to Afitis Boutique Hotel Private Transfer: $109
- Thessaloniki Airport or Cruise Port Private Departure Transfer: $44
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki?
Prices for flights to both Thessaloniki 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 $18Thessaloniki $45
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$4.61
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Open Market Food Tour with Tasting: $48
- Walking Open Market Food Tour and Tasting: $49
- Cooking & Dining Experience with Greek Family: $63
- Guided Food Tour: $70
- Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $71
- Private Walking Tour Gastronomic Food Tour in Thessaloniki: $87
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $95
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $95
- Greek Cooking Class, Market Visit and Lunch: $95
- Traditional Greek Food Tour With A Local: $97
- Greek Ouzo and Meze Food Tour: $97
- Greek Cooking Class, Market visit and Lunch: $97
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Thessaloniki $28
Tours and Activities in Thessaloniki
For Thessaloniki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4-Hour Thessaloniki Jewish Heritage Private Guided Tour: $207
- Archery Odyssey Traditional Archery Experience: $65
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $218
- Best of Private Guided Tour: $192
- Charming pearls of Thessaloniki – Romantic Tour: $153
- City Sightseeing Thessaloniki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $17
- Daily Cruise:Discover Thessaloniki in a different way: $1,069
- Daily Sailing Cruise Olympus Riviera Highlights: $122
- Day Tour at Royal Tombs of Aigai and Museum of Pella with pickup: $93
- Dion and Palaios Panteleimon Myth and History Tour: $153
- Dion-Olympus Private Tour from Thessaloniki: $96
- Discover Olympus from Paralia in Jeep Safari Shared Tour: $76
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Thessaloniki $16
Sample the Local Flavors in Thessaloniki
Also in Thessaloniki, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Friday Night Bar Crawl in Thessaloniki: $25
- From Pella-Edessa wine tasting: $64
- Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $81
- Thessaloniki Small-Group Wine Tasting Tour with Appetizers: $83
- Winery Visit with Wine Tasting Experience: $91
- Wine Tasting Experience from Thessaloniki: $93
- Thessaloniki to Naoussa, Wine Tasting Tour – Private Day Trip: $207
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Thessaloniki, we can see that Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Thessaloniki 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 Thessaloniki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Thessaloniki. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Thessaloniki, 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 Thessaloniki?
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 Thessaloniki in the Summer?
Both Thessaloniki and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Thessaloniki this time of year.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Thessaloniki in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 25°C (77°F).
It's quite sunny in Thessaloniki. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Thessaloniki during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 327 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Thessaloniki. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 26 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Thessaloniki 25°C (77°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki in the Autumn?
Both Thessaloniki and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Thessaloniki for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Thessaloniki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Thessaloniki averages at about 16°C (61°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 159 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Thessaloniki. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Thessaloniki 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Thessaloniki. Furthermore, many visitors come to Thessaloniki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Thessaloniki. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Thessaloniki during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Thessaloniki receives 101 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Thessaloniki. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki receives 37 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Thessaloniki 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Thessaloniki in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Thessaloniki. Additionally, most visitors come to Thessaloniki for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Thessaloniki in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Thessaloniki fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Thessaloniki. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Thessaloniki receives 196 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Thessaloniki. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Thessaloniki 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)Thessaloniki 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Thessaloniki and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Thessaloniki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 25°C (77°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 25°C (76°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.