Which place is cheaper, Wellington or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Wellington?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Wellington? 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 Wellington?
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.
Wellington
Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $64Wellington $104
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Wellington is $104. 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 Wellington in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $37Wellington $61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $74Wellington $122
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Wellington
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Wellington? 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: Wellington Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.42Wellington $12
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$1.36
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington
Also for Wellington, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Wētā Workshop Experience with Guided Transfers: $61
- Wellington Airport Transfer to Wellington Hotels and Vice versa: $75
- Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington - Arrival Private Transfer: $28
- Private Transfer with Wellington Dial a Driver: $72
- Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $26
- Private Transfer from Wellington Cruise Port to Wellington Hotels: $26
- Private Airport Transfer: $78
- Departure Transfer: Wellington Central City Centre Hotels to Wellington Airport: $13
- Arrival Transfer: Wellington Airport to Central Wellington City Centre Hotels: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Wellington?
Prices for flights to both Wellington 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 $19Wellington $30
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$4.69
Typical Food Prices in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner$9.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington
For Wellington, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Walking Food Tour Of Wellington: $151
- A Taste Of Wellington Food Tour (half Day): $185
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Wellington $16
Tours and Activities in Wellington
For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 5 hour Wellington City Heights Shared tour: $90
- A Taste of Kapiti - Kapiti Foodie Delights Tour: $288
- From Cave to Coast Wellington Highlights Tour: $118
- From Source to Sea Remutaka Mountain Bike Cycle Tour: $103
- From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $106
- From Taste Buds Tour of Petone: $167
- Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $178
- Full Day Tour of Wellington: $178
- Full-Day Wellington Self-Guided Electric Bike Tour: $51
- Fully customizable tours: $148
- Guided Small Group Walking Tour in Wellington: $45
- Guided Wellington Sightseeing Tour by Electric Bike: $78
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.86Wellington $12
Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington
Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half Day Tour: $93
- Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $96
- 5 hour Martinborough shared Chefs Wine Tour with Gourmet lunch: $151
- Martinborough Full Day Wine Tour: $169
- Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $361
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Wellington, we can see that Wellington is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Saint Petersburg is in Europe and Wellington is in Pacific, 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 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 Wellington would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Wellington 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 Wellington Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Wellington?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Wellington. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Wellington, 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 Wellington?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Saint Petersburg has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Wellington in the Summer?
Both Wellington and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.
Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.
It's quite sunny in Wellington. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuarySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Wellington 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Wellington in the Autumn?
Both Wellington and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Wellington for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Wellington 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Wellington in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Wellington. Also, many visitors come to Wellington in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.
Wellington receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Wellington 10°C (49°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Wellington in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Wellington. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches during these months.
Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Wellington 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Wellington and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Wellington | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 113 mm (4.4 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 98 mm (3.9 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 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.