Which place is cheaper, Moscow or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Sochi or Moscow? 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.
Located on the coast of the Black Sea, Sochi is one of the southernmost major cities in Russia. It is especially busy in the summer when native Russians and international visitors alike come to enjoy the mountainous coastline and sunny beaches. Sochi is also known as the host of the 2014 Winter Olympic Games, and many of the Olympic venues can still be visited today.
Moscow is the capital of Russia and is notable for its important role in history. It's a very sprawling city with many museums and fascinating buildings. Ten percent of Russia's population lives in this capital city and it's a financial and political center for the country. The Moskva River weaves its way through the city and you will find most of the city's sights and attractions on the northern side of the river.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $61, while the average daily cost in Moscow is $63. 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 Sochi and Moscow in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Moscow? 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.
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:
Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Prices for flights to both Moscow and Sochi 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.
For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When comparing the travel costs between Sochi and Moscow, we can see that Moscow is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Moscow Expensive?.
Moscow has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Moscow, 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.
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.
The summer brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Moscow.
In July, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Moscow. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 23°C (73°F), and Moscow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).
Sochi usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Moscow. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 92 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Moscow and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Sochi is much warmer than Moscow in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 16°C (60°F) in October, and Moscow fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
It's quite rainy in Sochi. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Moscow. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
Both Moscow and Sochi during the winter are popular places to visit.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Moscow. In the winter, Sochi is much warmer than Moscow. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sochi in January average around 6°C (44°F), and Moscow averages at about -8°C (17°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Moscow. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Moscow.
In April, Sochi is generally much warmer than Moscow. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 13°C (55°F), and Moscow fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).
Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Moscow. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Moscow receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Sochi | Moscow | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 6°C (44°F) | 183 mm (7.2 in) | -8°C (17°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
Feb | 7°C (45°F) | 119 mm (4.7 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
Mar | 9°C (48°F) | 115 mm (4.5 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 110 mm (4.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
May | 17°C (62°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 20°C (68°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Jul | 23°C (73°F) | 93 mm (3.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 111 mm (4.4 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
Sep | 20°C (68°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
Oct | 16°C (60°F) | 135 mm (5.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Nov | 12°C (54°F) | 182 mm (7.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
Dec | 9°C (47°F) | 202 mm (8 in) | -5°C (23°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |