Which place is cheaper, Saint Petersburg or Sochi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in 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.
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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?.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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) |