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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or York?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or York? 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 York?

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.

York

York, in North Yorkshire, England, is a city rich in history that dates back to before Roman times. It is an ancient cathedral city that still has some impressive historical buildings that make it easily worth a visit. It has some of the best preserved buildings and structures in all of Europe, so if you're a history buff, then this is the place to be. It is usually tied with Manchester as the second most visited city in England, after London.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from London, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Edinburgh.


Which place is cheaper, York or Saint Petersburg?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in York is $132. 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 York in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    York $73
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    York $146
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and York

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or York? 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in York


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: York Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.29
    York $15
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 York

Some specific examples of transportation prices in York:

  • Private Transfer from York to Manchester Airport (MAN): $279
  • Private Transfer from Hull to Manchester Airport (MAN): $271
  • Private Transfer from Hambleton to Manchester Airport (MAN): $163

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or York?

Prices for flights to both York 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 day
    Saint Petersburg $18
    York $40
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 York

Some typical examples of dining costs in York are as follows:


  • Dinner
    $27

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in York

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in York.

  • Breakfast Food Tour in York: $51
  • Party Cruise with Welcome Drink, Dinner, and DJ Music: $56
  • York on a Fork Food Tour: $83

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    York $14

Tours and Activities in York

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for York are as follows:

  • All Creatures Great & Small tour from York: $100
  • Bishopthorpe Palace Christmas Cruise: $19
  • Castle Howard Entrance Ticket: $32
  • City Sightseeing York Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $20
  • Clueniveristy of Magic!! Immersive Adventure in York City: $24
  • Comedy Horror Show: York Ghost Bus Tour: $25
  • Dark Tales of York. Private ghost tours.: $61
  • Daytime Sightseeing Boat Cruise in York: $18
  • Discover York's Legacy: In-App Audio Tour of the City Walls: $11
  • Early Evening Boat Cruise through York: $18
  • Fish & Chips Boat Cruise in York: $30
  • From Full-Day Yorkshire Dales Tour: $74

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.68
    York $16

Typical Alcohol Prices in York

Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in York are as follows:


  • A Couple Beers
    $11

Sample the Local Flavors in York

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in York:

  • Hooting Owl Distillery York - Distillery Tour & Guided Tasting: $32
  • Bar Maid-led Pub Crawl for Special Events: $47
  • The Full Hoot Distillery Tour & Guided Hooting Owl Experience: $57


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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or York?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of York. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and York, 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 York?

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 York in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as York. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to York this time of year.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as York. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and York fluctuates around 16°C (62°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 York. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 196 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than York. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while York receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    York 16°C (62°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or York in the Autumn?

Both York and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to York for the shopping scene.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than York in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and York fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than York during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 112 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than York. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    York 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or York in the Winter?

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

York can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than York. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and York averages at about 4°C (39°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than York. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while York receives 61 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than York. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while York receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    York 4°C (39°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or York in the Spring?

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

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than York. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and York fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than York during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while York receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than York. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while York receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    York 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for York and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg York
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 4°C (39°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (43°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 11°C (53°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 16°C (62°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 14°C (57°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 11°C (52°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) 7°C (44°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) 5°C (40°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)