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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Valencia?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Valencia? 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 Valencia?

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.

Valencia

Valencia is a port city that sits on Spain's southeastern Orange Blossom coast, where the Turia River meets the Mediterranean Sea. As the nation's third-largest city, it is continually innovative in the arts and sciences with some futuristic architecture including a planetarium, oceanarium, and an interactive museum. The nightlife and daytime culture both thrive in their own ways, bustling with limitless opportunities for sight-seeing and entertainment. While the city is surrounded by fertile farmland, its center is a modern metropolis, skirted by beautiful beaches.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Spain, and The Best 3-Day Tours from Madrid.


Which place is cheaper, Valencia or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Valencia is $132. 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 Valencia in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Valencia $62
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Valencia $124
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Valencia

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Valencia? 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 Valencia


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: Valencia Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    Valencia $19
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Metro Passes
    $1.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valencia

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valencia:

  • Roundtrip Transfer to Tabarca Island: $48
  • Private transfer from Valencia Airport to Alicante: $201
  • One-Way Boat Transfer to/from Port Saplaya: $13
  • Valencia to Valencia Airport (VLC) - Departure Private Transfer: $29
  • Valencia hotels to Valencia Cruise Port - Departure Private Transfer: $24
  • Valencia Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Valencia hotels: $120
  • Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $48
  • Valencia Cruise Port to Valencia Airport (VLC) - Departure Private Transfer : $38
  • Valencia City, Airport, Cruise Terminal Private Transfer: $87
  • Valencia Airport Private Arrival Transfers: $65
  • Valencia Airport (VLC): Transfer to Valencia Cruise Port: $238
  • Valencia Airport (VLC): Private Transfer to Valencia: $120

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Valencia?

Prices for flights to both Valencia 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 $18
    Valencia $43
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.61

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valencia

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valencia.

  • Flamenco at Toro y La Luna with Drinks or Dinner: $19
  • Hard Rock Cafe Entrance with Lunch or Dinner: $32
  • Traveling Spoon Sangria and Tapa Private Online Cooking Class: $40
  • Traditional Spanish Home Dinner: $48
  • Valencia Traditional Food Tour: $51
  • Guided Food Tour with Chocolate Tasting Experience: $53
  • Street Food Tour including Paella & Tapas Tasting: $58
  • Paella Cooking Experience near the center of Valencia: $59
  • Morning Food Tour with Central Market Visit: $63
  • Cooking Class of traditional spanish food: $64
  • Vegetable Paella cooking class, tapas and visit market: $65
  • Valencian Paella cooking class, Tapas and Market Visit: $65

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Valencia $31

Typical Entertainment Prices in Valencia

Here are a few typical costs in Valencia for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Flamenco Tour
    $17

Tours and Activities in Valencia

Here are a few actual costs in Valencia for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 150 Min Bike Group Tour with Local Guide: $33
  • 2 Hour Private Bike Tour in Valencia: $27
  • 3hs-Hour Guided City Sightseeing and Beaches Bike Private Tour: $38
  • A day in the life of Valencia - Private tour with a local: $233
  • Adventure Jetski: $155
  • Adventures day: Thermal Springs and Waterfalls: $104
  • Albufera Natural Park Tour with Boat Ride from Valencia : $64
  • Alicante: 8-hour cruise to Tabarca Island by private boat: $1,069
  • Anna: amazing water canyoning experience: $95
  • Best Bike Tour Dutch & English in Valencia: $35
  • Between Two Gates: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in Valencia: $7.99
  • Bike Grand Valencia Group Tour: $38

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    Valencia $21

Sample the Local Flavors in Valencia

Also in Valencia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Guided Pub Crawl with Free Shots: $13
  • Pub Crawl With Free Shots: $25
  • Wine Tasting with Professional Sommelier in centre Valencia: $59
  • From Guided Cheese Factory Tour with Wine Tasting: $90
  • Local Tapas & Wine tasting experience: $91
  • Wine Tasting and Tapas Experience: $102
  • Cheese Factory Workshop with Wine Tasting in Requena, Valencia: $108
  • From Requena Wine Tour with Tastings: $123
  • Christmas Tapas and Wine Tour in Valencia: $164
  • Requena: 1/2 Day Private Vineyards & Premium Wine Tastings: $191
  • From Utiel-Requena Wine Tour and Traditional Lunch: $209
  • Singular Valencia Wine Tour Utiel Requena Wineries: $213


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Valencia?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Valencia. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Valencia, 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 Valencia?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Valencia in the Summer?

Both Valencia and Saint Petersburg during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Valencia in the summer for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Saint Petersburg is cooler than Valencia in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Valencia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In Valencia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Valencia. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 303 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Valencia. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 9 mm (0.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Valencia 25°C (76°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Valencia in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Valencia. Also, most visitors come to Valencia for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Valencia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Valencia averages at about 19°C (66°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 198 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Valencia. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Valencia 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Valencia in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Valencia. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Valencia because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Valencia. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Valencia fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Valencia. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Valencia receives 162 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Valencia. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Valencia 12°C (53°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Valencia in the Spring?

Both Valencia and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty are the main draw to Valencia this time of year.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Valencia in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Valencia fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).

It's quite sunny in Valencia. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Valencia during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Valencia receives 213 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Valencia. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Valencia receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Valencia 15°C (60°F)

Typical Weather for Valencia and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Valencia
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 12°C (53°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 12°C (54°F) 30 mm (1.2 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (56°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (60°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 22°C (71°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 25°C (76°F) 9 mm (0.4 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 25°C (77°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 23°C (73°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 94 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 15°C (58°F) 57 mm (2.2 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 12°C (54°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)