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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Villach?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Villach? 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 Villach?

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.

Villach

Located on the Drava River in the Austrian province of Carinthia, near the Italian and Slovenian borders, the city of Villach is known as a gateway to nearby lakes Faak and Ossiach, as well as the Villach Alps. Hiking and water sports are common in the surrounding area, as well as historic sight-seeing and enjoying the picturesque town center called Altstadt.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Villach?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Villach. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Villach, 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 Villach?

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 Villach in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Villach. Also, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Villach this time of year.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Villach. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Villach averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Villach. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Villach. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 288 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Villach. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Villach in the Autumn?

Both Villach and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Villach for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Villach. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Villach fluctuates around 16°C (60°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Villach during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 167 hours of full sun in the autumn.

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Villach in the Winter?

Both Villach and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Villach in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Villach in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Villach fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Villach. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 96 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Villach. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Villach in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Villach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Villach for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Villach. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Villach averages at about 13°C (56°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Villach during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 177 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Villach. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Villach and Saint Petersburg