Which place is cheaper, Warsaw or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Warsaw?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Warsaw? 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 Warsaw?
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.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Warsaw $93
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Warsaw is $93. 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 Warsaw in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Warsaw $51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Warsaw $102
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Warsaw
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Warsaw? 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: Warsaw Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Warsaw $4.67
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Warsaw
Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- from Warsaw to Krakow private transfer: $495
- Wilanow Palace and Gardens with Guide, Tickets and Transfers: $211
- Private Transfer to/from Krakow: $446
- Private Economy Transfer Airport -City 1-3 person: $59
- Gun Shooting Experience with Transfers: $83
- Extreme Shooting Range Experience with Transfers: $175
- Extreme Shooting Range Experience with Transfer: $175
- Economy Private Warsaw Okecie Airport Transfer: $57
- Chopin Airport Private Transfer: $82
- Chopin & Modlin Airport Transfers: $64
- Bus Transfer to/from Vilnus: $35
- Warsaw to Krakow or Krakow Airport Transfer Best Value: $240
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Warsaw?
Prices for flights to both Warsaw 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
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Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $18Warsaw $27
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$4.61
Typical Food Prices in Warsaw
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:
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Dinner for Two$13
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Lunch for Two$10
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw
For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Lunch or Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line: $17
- Warsaw's No 1 cooking class-Polish dumplings with liqueur tasting: $61
- Polish Dumplings Cooking Class: $62
- Traditional Polish Cooking Class in Warsaw: $79
- Traditional Polish Cooking Class with liquor tasting in Warsaw: $89
- Polish Food Tour: $92
- Taste of Poland - Old Town food tour and guided walk in one: $94
- 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $109
- The 10 Tastings of Warsaw With Locals: Private Food Tour : $117
- EVERYDAY Warsaw Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $156
- Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $156
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Warsaw $7.00
Tours and Activities in Warsaw
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.
- 2 Hour Super Segway City Tour of Warsaw: $67
- 2-Hour Breakfast Experience in a Home from Warsaw: $49
- 3 Hour VIP Warsaw Guided City Tour: $207
- 3-Hour Guided Cycling Tour of Warsaw: $37
- 6 Hour Private Car Tour to Treblinka With Hotel Pickup: $305
- Architecture Walking Tour in Warsaw: $76
- BIKE ADVENTURE : 4-hour sightseeing tour of Warsaw /inc. Pick-up/: $97
- Best of Warsaw - private tour by retro minibus with hotel pickup: $131
- Best of Warsaw Full-Day Private Tour with Private Transport: $154
- Best of Warsaw Full-Day Private Tour with Private Transport: $154
- Chopin's Warsaw - guided tour in a minivan with evening piano concert: $67
- Chopin’s Warsaw - City tour in the footsteps of Frédéric Chopin: $69
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Warsaw $10
Sample the Local Flavors in Warsaw
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Warsaw:
- The Original Pub Crawl: $16
- #1 Pub Crawl Warsaw with Premium Open Bar: $20
- Pub Crawl with 1-Hour Open Bar: $20
- Warsaw Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $176
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Warsaw, we can see that Warsaw 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 Warsaw would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Warsaw 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 Warsaw Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Warsaw?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Warsaw. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Warsaw, 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 Warsaw?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Warsaw in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Warsaw. Furthermore, most visitors come to Warsaw for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Warsaw. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Warsaw fluctuates around 19°C (65°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Warsaw this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Warsaw during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Warsaw receives 353 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Warsaw. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Warsaw 19°C (65°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Warsaw in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Warsaw. Additionally, the autumn months attract visitors to Warsaw because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Saint Petersburg is much colder than Warsaw in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Warsaw fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Warsaw. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Warsaw receives 135 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Warsaw. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Warsaw 9°C (49°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Warsaw in the Winter?
Both Warsaw and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Warsaw this time of year.
It's quite cold in Warsaw in the winter. The weather in Saint Petersburg can be very cold. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Warsaw. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Warsaw averages at about -3°C (27°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Warsaw during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Warsaw receives 35 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Warsaw. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Warsaw -3°C (27°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Warsaw in the Spring?
Both Warsaw and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Warsaw for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Warsaw. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Warsaw fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).
In Warsaw, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Warsaw. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Warsaw receives 247 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Warsaw. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Warsaw 9°C (47°F)
Typical Weather for Warsaw and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Warsaw | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 32 mm (1.3 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.