A Travel Price Comparison for Russia Sochi vs. Moscow for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

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Should you visit Sochi or Moscow?

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

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.

Where Should I go: Sochi or Moscow?

Sochi

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

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.

Which city is cheaper, Moscow or Sochi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Sochi is $62, while the average daily cost in Moscow is $64. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sochi and Moscow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $15
    Moscow $40
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $30
    Moscow $80
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Moscow

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.

Hotels in Sochi


Hotels in Moscow


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: Sochi Hotel Prices and Moscow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Moscow $6.25

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Sochi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Sochi:

  • Sochi, Russia Private & Secure Airport Transfers to/from AER Airport & Sochi: $132
  • Sochi International Airport Private Transfer: $123
  • Private Sochi International Airport AER - Sochi City Round-Trip Transfer: $55
  • Private Arrival Transfer from Sochi International Airport AER to Sochi City Center: $28
  • Private Airport Transfer: from Sochi to Sochi International Airport (AER): $23
  • Departure Private Transfer from Sochi City to Sochi Airport AER by Minivan: $52
  • Departure Private Transfer from Sochi City to Sochi Airport AER by Business Car: $52
  • Airport transfer: $66

Typical Local Transportation prices in Moscow

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Moscow are as follows:


  • Two Metro Passes
    $1.86

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Moscow

Also for Moscow, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Domodedovo DME to Moscow City by Luxury Car: $124
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Domodedovo DME to Moscow by Luxury Van: $53
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Train Station to Moscow City by Luxury Van: $87
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Vnukovo Airport VKO to Moscow City by Luxury Van: $54
  • Arrival Private Transfer Moscow Vnukovo VKO Airport to Moscow by Luxury Car: $109
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Domodedovo DME by Luxury Car: $123
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Domodedovo DME by Luxury Van: $59
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow SVO Airport by Luxury Van: $54
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Business Car: $38
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Luxury Car: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow City to Moscow Train Station by Luxury Van: $87
  • Departure Private Transfer Moscow SVO Airport to Moscow City by Luxury Car: $110

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Moscow?

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.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Sochi $18
    Moscow $15

Typical Food prices in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $7.59
  • Lunch in the Center Market
    $4.14
  • Breakfast for 2
    $14

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Moscow

For Moscow, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Virtual Home Cooking with Russian Family: $22
  • Moscow Food Tour: $67
  • An evening at the monastery with dinner: $80
  • An Evening at the Monastery with Dinner: $85
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in Moscow with a Friendly Local: $91
  • Private Market Tour and Traditional Russian Cooking Class in Moscow: $101
  • Food Tour: $102
  • Traditional Russian Cooking Class and Meal in a Local Home in Moscow: $117
  • Traditional French-Russian Dinner in a Local's Home: $118
  • Moscow Metro and Russian Dinner Private tour: $127
  • Moscow River Cruise with Dinner and Lively Firework with a Private Guide: $133
  • Private food tour: Russian culinary culture: $144

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $116
    Moscow $16

Tours and Activities in Sochi

Here are a few actual costs in Sochi for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Agura Canyon and Waterfalls Private Trekking Tour from Sochi: $225
  • Discover Olympic Sochi and Enjoy Scenic Mountainous Views on Private Tour: $406
  • Discover the Highlights of Sochi and its Best Bird's-eye View on Private Tour: $193
  • Discover the secrets of Sochi on the shore Excursion Private Tour: $330
  • Highlights of Sochi Private Tour: Dacha of J.Stalin and Mount Akhun Views: $330
  • Magic Christmas Tour in Sochi: $764
  • Nightlife in Sochi - Private tour. Meet a Sunset at the Akhun Mountain: $330
  • Olympic Sochi and Krasnaya Polyana Private Tour: $177
  • Private Tour: Discover Sochi on a Private Stroll: $93
  • Romantic tour in Kizhi Island: $496
  • Romantic tour in Sochi: $496
  • Sightseeing tour in Sochi: $509

Typical Entertainment prices in Moscow

Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Moscow's activities, tours, and tickets:


  • Theater Tickets
    $16
  • Kremlin Entry (2)
    $14

Tours and Activities in Moscow

For Moscow, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Moscow classical tour: $6.38
  • Admission ticket to Kolomenskoye Historical and Architectural Museum and Reserve: $7.02
  • Tsaritsyno Museum entrance ticket: $8.14
  • Admission ticket to the The Museum of Cosmonautics: $11
  • The Jewish Museum and Tolerance Center Admission Ticket: $12
  • Admission ticket to the State Museum of GULAG's History, Moscow: $13
  • The Museum of Victory Admission Ticket: $13
  • Guided Metro Tour by Night: $14
  • Admission ticket to the Tochka-G Museum of Erotic Art, Moscow: $14
  • Admission ticket to Gallery of the European and American XIX-XX centuries art: $14
  • Tretyakov Gallery Admission Ticket: $16
  • Admission ticket to the New Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow: $17

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Moscow $8.02

Sample the Local Flavors in Moscow

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Moscow:

  • Pub Crawl by Soviet Van: $76
  • Pub Crawl Moscow Guided Tour in Classic Soviet Van: $79
  • Private Wine Tour in Moscow with History, Architecture and Friendly Local Guide: $121

About these numbers

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.


When is the best time to visit Sochi or Moscow?

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 Sochi or Moscow in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Moscow.


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In July, Sochi is generally a little warmer than Moscow. Temperatures in Sochi average around 23°C (73°F), and Moscow stays 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.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sochi 23°C (73°F) 
    Moscow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Moscow in the Autumn?

Both Moscow and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.


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Sochi is much warmer than Moscow in the autumn. The temperature in Sochi is usually 16°C (60°F) in October, and Moscow stays 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.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sochi 16°C (60°F) 
    Moscow 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Moscow in the Winter?

Both Moscow and Sochi during the winter are popular places to visit.


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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 are around 6°C (44°F), and Moscow is 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.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sochi 6°C (44°F) 
    Moscow -8°C (17°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Moscow in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Moscow.


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In April, Sochi is generally much warmer than Moscow. Temperatures in Sochi average around 13°C (55°F), and Moscow stays 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.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sochi 13°C (55°F) 
    Moscow 7°C (45°F)

Typical Weather for Moscow and Sochi

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)


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Sochi vs. Moscow Travel Comparison

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