Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Zurich? 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $63Zurich $268
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $63, while the average daily cost in Zurich is $268. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $36Zurich $170
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $72Zurich $340
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Zurich? 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: Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $7.29Zurich $36
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)$28
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Zurich:Transfer and Ticket to Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum: $109
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- Private Transfer to/from Zurich Airport: $108
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $131
- 1-Way Private Transfer from the airport to Zurich: $188
- Zurich to Basel Private Direct Transfer: $205
- Zurich Private Airport and Hotels Transfer with Round-Trip: $149
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zurich City: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lucerne: $251
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Greater Zurich Area: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer from Greater Zurich Area: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Lucerne: $328
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 $18Zurich $62
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 Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2$13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $18Zurich $36
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $627
- 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $224
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $101
- Adventure to Mount Pilatus Gold and Silver tour: $157
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $650
- Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $799
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $129
- Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $124
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
- Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $87
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $9.68Zurich $29
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
- eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Zurich?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Zurich. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Zurich, 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 Zurich?
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 Zurich in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Zurich. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Zurich because of the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Saint Petersburg is cooler than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. 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 Zurich. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Zurich in the Autumn?
Both Zurich and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zurich. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Zurich in the Winter?
Both Zurich and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zurich. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around -8°C (18°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Zurich in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Zurich. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the spring for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 4°C (40°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Zurich. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.