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

Should you visit Sochi or Saint Petersburg?

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

Should I visit Sochi or Saint Petersburg? 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 Saint Petersburg?

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.

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.

Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Sochi?

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 Saint Petersburg 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Sochi and Saint Petersburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Sochi $15
    Saint Petersburg $37
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Sochi $30
    Saint Petersburg $74
Compare Hotels in Sochi and Saint Petersburg

Looking for a hotel in Sochi or Saint Petersburg? 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 Saint Petersburg


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.


Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Sochi -
    Saint Petersburg $7.42

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:


  • Metro Passes
    $1.36

Is it cheaper to fly into Sochi or Saint Petersburg?

Prices for flights to both Saint Petersburg 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
    Saint Petersburg $19

Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

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


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.69

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Sochi $114
    Saint Petersburg $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Sochi -
    Saint Petersburg $9.86


When comparing the travel costs between Sochi and Saint Petersburg, we can see that Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Sochi or Saint Petersburg?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Sochi. When comparing the sizes of Sochi and Saint Petersburg, 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 Saint Petersburg?

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 Saint Petersburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Sochi as well as Saint Petersburg.

Sochi is a little warmer than Saint Petersburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

Sochi usually gets more rain in July than Saint Petersburg. Sochi gets 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Sochi 23°C (73°F) 
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Saint Petersburg in the Autumn?

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

In the autumn, Sochi is much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Sochi in October average around 16°C (60°F), and Saint Petersburg averages at about 6°C (42°F).

It's quite rainy in Sochi. In October, Sochi usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Sochi gets 135 mm (5.3 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Sochi 16°C (60°F) 
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Saint Petersburg in the Winter?

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

Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Sochi is generally much warmer than Saint Petersburg. Daily temperatures in Sochi average around 6°C (44°F), and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around -8°C (18°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Sochi. Sochi usually gets more rain in January than Saint Petersburg. Sochi gets 183 mm (7.2 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Sochi 6°C (44°F) 
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)

Should I visit Sochi or Saint Petersburg in the Spring?

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

Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. Sochi is much warmer than Saint Petersburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Sochi averages around 13°C (55°F) in April, and Saint Petersburg fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

Sochi gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In April, Sochi usually receives more rain than Saint Petersburg. Sochi gets 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Saint Petersburg receives 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Sochi 13°C (55°F) 
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)

Typical Weather for Saint Petersburg and Sochi

Sochi Saint Petersburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 6°C (44°F) 183 mm (7.2 in) -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb 7°C (45°F) 119 mm (4.7 in) -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 9°C (48°F) 115 mm (4.5 in) -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 13°C (55°F) 110 mm (4.3 in) 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
May 17°C (62°F) 89 mm (3.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 20°C (68°F) 99 mm (3.9 in) 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Jul 23°C (73°F) 93 mm (3.7 in) 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Aug 23°C (73°F) 111 mm (4.4 in) 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 20°C (68°F) 133 mm (5.2 in) 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Oct 16°C (60°F) 135 mm (5.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 12°C (54°F) 182 mm (7.2 in) 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Dec 9°C (47°F) 202 mm (8 in) -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)