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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Uppsala?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Uppsala? 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 Uppsala?

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.

Uppsala

Uppsala is a college town in Sweden, located about 40 minutes north of Stockholm. Home to two universities, Uppsala is the 4th largest city in Sweden and features a huge diversity in culture. The Fyris River divides the city into the historic and modern sides of the city, each one with their own unique culture and sights to see. The area features fairly cool weather year-round, with temperatures in the 30's Fahrenheit from November-April and May-October seeing temperatures in the 40's and 50's Fahrenheit. The best time to visit it from May-July when temperatures are at their highest and there's plenty of sunshine.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Sweden, and The Best Budget Tours to Sweden.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Uppsala?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Uppsala. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Uppsala, 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 Uppsala?

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 Uppsala in the Summer?

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

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Uppsala. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Uppsala fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Uppsala 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 Uppsala during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Uppsala receives 260 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Uppsala. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Uppsala in the Autumn?

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

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Uppsala in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Uppsala fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Uppsala. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Uppsala receives 99 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Uppsala. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Uppsala in the Winter?

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

The weather in Uppsala can be very cold. Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Uppsala. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Uppsala averages at about -3°C (27°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Uppsala during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Uppsala receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Uppsala. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Uppsala in the Spring?

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

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Uppsala. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Uppsala fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Uppsala. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Uppsala receives 185 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in April than Uppsala. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Uppsala receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Uppsala and Saint Petersburg