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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Tihany?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tihany? 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 Tihany?

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.

Tihany

Located on the northern coast of Lake Balaton in Hungary, Tihany is a historic village with quaint streets and bustling squares - all centered on the twin-towered Tihany Benedictine Abbey which dates back to the 11th century.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Hungary, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Hungary.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Tihany, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Tihany much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tihany would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tihany 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 Saint Petersburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint Petersburg than you might in Tihany.

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 Tihany Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Tihany?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 2810 times larger than the population of Tihany. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Tihany, 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 Tihany?

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 Tihany in the Summer?

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

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Tihany in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Tihany fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tihany 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 Tihany during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 278 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Tihany. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tihany in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Tihany. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Tihany averages at about 12°C (53°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Tihany. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 152 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Tihany. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tihany in the Winter?

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

Tihany can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Tihany. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Tihany fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Tihany during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Tihany receives 61 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Tihany. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Tihany in the Spring?

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

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Tihany in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Tihany fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tihany. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tihany receives 178 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Tihany. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tihany receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tihany and Saint Petersburg