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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Vientiane?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vientiane? 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 Vientiane?

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.

Vientiane

You wouldn't expect the capital city to have such a relaxing environment, but in Vientiane, Laos you can sit back and take in the beautiful scenery without feeling pressure to see every little thing. With Vientiane, what you see is what you get.

While picturesque temples and markets line the streets, the city is still experiencing a successful building boom. Even the Presidential Palace has undergone some hefty renovations.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Laos, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Laos.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Vientiane, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Vientiane much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Vientiane is in Asia, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Vientiane would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vientiane 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 Vientiane.

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 Vientiane Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Vientiane?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Vientiane. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Vientiane, 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 Vientiane?

Saint Petersburg has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Vientiane experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vientiane in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Vientiane. The warm climate attracts visitors to Vientiane throughout the year.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 30°C (85°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Vientiane. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 141 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vientiane. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Vientiane. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 266 mm (10.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vientiane in the Autumn?

Both Vientiane and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Vientiane because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Vientiane in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Vientiane fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

It's quite sunny in Vientiane. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 222 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vientiane in the Winter?

Both Vientiane and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Vientiane year-round.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Vientiane. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Vientiane averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Vientiane, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Vientiane. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vientiane receives 254 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Vientiane. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vientiane in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Vientiane. Vientiane attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. It's very hot in Vientiane this time of the year. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Vientiane. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Vientiane fluctuates around 31°C (88°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Vientiane this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Vientiane during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Vientiane receives 230 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Vientiane. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vientiane receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vientiane and Saint Petersburg