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

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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Turku?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Turku? 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 Turku?

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.

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

Which place is cheaper, Turku 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 Turku is $146. 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 Turku in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $41
    Turku $81
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $82
    Turku $162
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Turku

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Turku? 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 Turku


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: Turku Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $8.42
    Turku $48
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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

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

  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $83
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $83
  • Turku (TKU) to City Center to Airport - Private Transfer: $68

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Turku?

Prices for flights to both Turku 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
    Turku $35
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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $21
    Turku $24

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

Tours and Activities in Turku

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

  • Romantic tour in Turku: $496
  • The best of Turku walking tour: $496
  • 2-Hour Romantic Guided Walking Tour: $544
  • Christmas Magic Walking Tour: $797
  • City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide: $544

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $11
    Turku $13

About these numbers

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


When is the best time to visit Saint Petersburg or Turku?

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 Turku in the Summer?

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

Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Turku in the summer. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 18°C (64°F) in July, and Turku stays around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Turku 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 Turku during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 262 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Turku in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Turku. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October are around 6°C (42°F), and Turku is about 6°C (43°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Turku. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 90 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Turku. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Turku in the Winter?

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

The weather in Turku can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Turku. Temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Turku stays around -6°C (20°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Turku during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Turku. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Turku -6°C (20°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Turku in the Spring?

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

It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Turku in the spring. The temperature in Saint Petersburg is usually 4°C (40°F) in April, and Turku stays around 3°C (37°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Turku. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 182 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Turku. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Turku 3°C (37°F)

Typical Weather for Turku and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Turku
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)


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Saint Petersburg vs. Turku Travel Comparison

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