Which place is cheaper, Vilnius or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Vilnius?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vilnius? 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 Vilnius?
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.
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Vilnius $102
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Vilnius is $102. 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 Vilnius in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Vilnius $46
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Vilnius $92
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Vilnius
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Vilnius? 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.
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: Vilnius Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Vilnius $8.99
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 Vilnius
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:
- Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $213
- Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $213
- Airport Bus Transfer to/from Central Bus Station: $3.20
- Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $53
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Warsaw: $35
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Riga: $23
- Vilnius Airport Transfer: $51
- Vilnius Airport (VNO): Bus Transfer to/from Gdansk: $51
- Transfer from Kaunas Airport to Vilnius: $213
- Riga: Bus Transfer to/from Vilnius: $20
- Riga / Tallinn / Vilnius. Transfer Between Baltic States: $638
- Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer: $27
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Vilnius?
Prices for flights to both Vilnius 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 daySaint Petersburg $18Vilnius $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
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:
-
Dinner for Two$14
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vilnius.
- Dinner in local family: $74
- Flavors of Vilnius - Private Walking Food Tour: $190
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Vilnius $11
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:
-
Walking Tour$6.28
Tours and Activities in Vilnius
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:
- "Ghostly Tales of Vilnius" Walking Tour: $169
- (Post) Soviet Vilnius Private Walking Tour: $107
- 1-Day Pilgrim Tour from Vilnius: $384
- Admission Ticket at Vilnius Auto Museum: $22
- Automuseum Entry Ticket: $21
- Automuseum Entry Ticket: $21
- Bike Tour of Vilnius Highlights "Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems": $31
- Day tour out of Paneriai holocaust park,Trakai castle, medieval Kernave: $206
- Discover Vilnius Tour: $266
- Dzukija National Park and Grutas Park: Full-Day Tour: $213
- Explore Old Town and Uzupis Guided Walking Tour: $76
- From Trakai Castle and Paneriai Memorial Tour: $80
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Vilnius $6.91
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:
-
Beer$4.71
Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius
Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer degustation at Bear & Boar Brewery Taproom: $43
- Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Vilnius, we can see that Vilnius 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 Vilnius would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Vilnius 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 Vilnius Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Vilnius?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Vilnius. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Vilnius, 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 Vilnius?
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 Vilnius in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Vilnius. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Vilnius in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Vilnius fluctuates around 18°C (65°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. 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 Vilnius. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vilnius receives 219 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Vilnius. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Vilnius 18°C (65°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vilnius in the Autumn?
Both Vilnius and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Vilnius. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Vilnius averages at about 8°C (46°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Vilnius during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Vilnius receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Vilnius. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Vilnius 8°C (46°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vilnius in the Winter?
Both Vilnius and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Vilnius for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Vilnius. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Vilnius. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Vilnius fluctuates around -5°C (23°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Vilnius. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vilnius receives 36 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Vilnius. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Vilnius -5°C (23°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vilnius in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Vilnius. Furthermore, many visitors come to Vilnius in the spring for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Vilnius in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Vilnius fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Vilnius during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Vilnius receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Vilnius. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vilnius receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Vilnius 7°C (45°F)
Typical Weather for Vilnius and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Vilnius | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.