A Travel Price Comparison for Russia Saint Petersburg vs. Vladivostok for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Vladivostok?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vladivostok? 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 Vladivostok?

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.

Vladivostok

Vladivostok is a port city on Russia's Pacific coastline and the eastern terminus of the Trans-Siberian Railway. Many people visit the city as the beginning or end of their journey on the railway, but there are some attractions to the city itself worth visiting.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Vladivostok much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vladivostok would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vladivostok 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 Vladivostok.

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 Vladivostok Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Vladivostok?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Vladivostok. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok, 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 Vladivostok?

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 Vladivostok in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Vladivostok.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Vladivostok. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Vladivostok fluctuates around 19°C (67°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 Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vladivostok receives 122 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Vladivostok receives 136 mm (5.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vladivostok in the Autumn?

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

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Vladivostok in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Vladivostok fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

It's quite sunny in Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Vladivostok during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Vladivostok receives 205 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Vladivostok receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vladivostok in the Winter?

Both Vladivostok and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit.

Vladivostok can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Vladivostok. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Vladivostok averages at about -11°C (11°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Vladivostok receives 178 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in January than Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Vladivostok receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Vladivostok in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Vladivostok.

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally cooler than Vladivostok. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Vladivostok fluctuates around 6°C (44°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Vladivostok during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Vladivostok receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Vladivostok. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Vladivostok receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Vladivostok and Saint Petersburg