A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Saint Petersburg vs. Charlottesville for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a fun-filled, underrated, and relaxed coastal city. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Saint Petersburg travel costs.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a proud, traditional, and young university town. With plenty of activities and sights, this is a small town worth visiting. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. Other reasons to visit include nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Saint Petersburg. Although Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Saint Petersburg has more sights and attractions for tourists. Saint Petersburg is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than Charlottesville and is known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also well known for St. Pete Beach. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Saint Petersburg different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Charlottesville and Saint Petersburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Saint Petersburg. There are a variety of history, science, and art museums in the area. The Dalí Museum, Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Imagine Museum of Contemporary Glass Art are some of the favorites.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

Is the Food Better in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Saint Petersburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's location on the Gulf Coast means that seafood is everywhere. You'll enjoy fresh oysters, fried calamari, grilled fish, and fried shrimp on many menus. Casual restaurants and local eateries are common around town.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is nice in both Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville.

If you're looking for night time activities Saint Petersburg has a few options to choose from. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Resorts?

Saint Petersburg is a good destination for its luxury resorts. However, Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

With a selection of resorts, Saint Petersburg makes a nice vacation spot. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Charlottesville is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is terrific for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Saint Petersburg offers stunning beaches that attract visitors from around the world. You'll find great sandy beaches with calm blue water and a relaxed atmosphere. Some of the best beaches include Egmont Key, Fort DeSoto Beach, Maximo Beach, and St. Pete's Municipal Beach.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Charlottesville is very good for its historic old town. However, Saint Petersburg does not have a historic old town.

Charlottesville is a good destination for visiting its old town. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Saint Petersburg does not have a historic old town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is very good for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many people include a hike when visiting Charlottesville. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Saint Petersburg is a good destination for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Saint Petersburg. You'll find plenty of shopping malls and shopping centers around town. Along the boardwalk and in John's Pass Village there are also restaurants and souvenir stores.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Charlottesville is very good for its scenery and beauty. However, Saint Petersburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Saint Petersburg is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its family-friendly activities.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Saint Petersburg is very family-friendly. The beaches, waterparks, nature reserves, and entertainment centers all offer plenty of activities for families. There are plenty of places to play, laugh, and act silly around town so the whole family can have a good time. There's also the Great Explorations Children’s Museum and other educational opportunities for the young ones.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly place to visit. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for couples.

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city if you're traveling as a couple. There are sunset cruises, long sandy beaches, nice restaurants, and many other romantic activities around town. You can wander down the boardwalk or enjoy nature at the gardens and nature parks around town.

Charlottesville is a good coastal city for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is terrific for its student-friendly activities. However, Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

Saint Petersburg is not popular with students.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Saint Petersburg. There's a bus system, but most people rely on their own car to get around.

Public transit is generally limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville are reasonable when it comes to walkability.

Saint Petersburg is generally not a very walkable coastal city. The downtown area is the most walkable part of town, but you really need a car to access most places.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Charlottesville Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Saint Petersburg than in Charlottesville. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Saint Petersburg, and 2-3 days is enough time in Charlottesville.

Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Charlottesville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Saint Petersburg, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Charlottesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Saint Petersburg that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Charlottesville if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Saint Petersburg.

One day in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

The relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg offers nightlife and food. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This university town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

The coastal city of Saint Petersburg offers food and shopping. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town with plenty to do. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Saint Petersburg is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. It's no surprise that beaches is why people visit. This coastal city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville is a popular choice for travelers. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Saint Petersburg. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville is a great place to explore. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America, The Best Walking Tours in United States of America, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Alaska.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville, 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 Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville in the Summer?

Both Charlottesville and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Charlottesville for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Saint Petersburg. Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Charlottesville during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 265 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Charlottesville. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 76°F (24°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

In Charlottesville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saint Petersburg. In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Saint Petersburg gets 234 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Charlottesville. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Charlottesville. The winter months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

It's quite cold in Charlottesville in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 59°F (15°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Charlottesville during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 200 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Charlottesville. The beaches are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 73°F (23°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Charlottesville. Saint Petersburg gets 299 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Charlottesville. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Saint Petersburg