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

Should you visit Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod?

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

Should I visit Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod? 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 Nizhny Novgorod?

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.

Nizhny Novgorod

Nizhny Novgorod, commonly referred to as simply Nizhny, is the fifth largest city in Russia. It has a population of over 1.2 million and it is the primary economic and cultural center for the Volga region. The city dates back to 1221 and it sits at the intersection of the Volga and Oka Rivers. It became popular with tourists back in 1817 when the Makaryev Monastery Fair was moved to the city. The city continued to grow in popularity and by the middle of the 19th century it was a major trade center for the country. During the Soviet Union times the city became an industrial center as trade connections were abandoned.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sochi and Nizhny Novgorod, we can see that Sochi is more expensive. And not only is Nizhny Novgorod much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Nizhny Novgorod would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Nizhny Novgorod 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 Sochi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sochi than you might in Nizhny Novgorod.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Sochi Expensive? and Is Nizhny Novgorod Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod?

Nizhny Novgorod has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Nizhny Novgorod, 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 Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod?

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 Nizhny Novgorod in the Summer?

Both Nizhny Novgorod and Sochi during the summer are popular places to visit.

Sochi is a little warmer than Nizhny Novgorod in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

Sochi usually gets more rain in July than Nizhny Novgorod. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sochi and Nizhny Novgorod.

In the autumn, Sochi is much warmer than Nizhny Novgorod. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Nizhny Novgorod averages at about 5°C (41°F).

Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Nizhny Novgorod. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Nizhny Novgorod.

It's quite cold in Nizhny Novgorod in the winter. In January, Sochi is generally much warmer than Nizhny Novgorod. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around -10°C (13°F).

Sochi receives a lot of rain in the winter. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Nizhny Novgorod. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Sochi or Nizhny Novgorod in the Spring?

Both Nizhny Novgorod and Sochi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Sochi is much warmer than Nizhny Novgorod in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Nizhny Novgorod fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

It's quite rainy in Sochi. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Nizhny Novgorod. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Nizhny Novgorod receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Nizhny Novgorod and Sochi