Which place is cheaper, Fairbanks or Saint Petersburg?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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 Fairbanks can help you decide which place is right for you.
Saint Petersburg is a underrated, relaxed, and fun-filled coastal city. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums. See Saint Petersburg travel costs.
Fairbanks is a unique, outdoorsy, and remote city. Many visitors also come to Fairbanks because of it's amazing beauty. Other reasons to visit include hiking, shopping, and museums. See Fairbanks travel costs.
Visitors will usually find more to do in Saint Petersburg than Fairbanks, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Saint Petersburg is better known for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, and beaches, while Fairbanks is more popular for its skiing, hiking, and impressive beauty. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than Fairbanks and is known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. Also, Saint Petersburg is famous for St. Pete Beach. Fairbanks is well known for its remote wilderness setting, access to the Arctic, unique winter sports, and popularity for seeing the northern lights.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Fairbanks and Saint Petersburg. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Fairbanks is adequate for skiing. However, Saint Petersburg is not a skiing destination.
Locals like to visit Fairbanks to take advantage of their winter sports. The closest ski areas are the ski resorts of Fort Wainwright/Birch Hill, Moose Mountain and Skiland. The area also has dog mushing, snowshoeing, sledding, tubing and sleigh riding.
Saint Petersburg is not a skiing destination.
Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its museums and history. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.
Saint Petersburg offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. 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.
Fairbanks is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. The city is mostly known for its outdoor activities, but you can also visit the Morris Thompson Cultural & Visitors Center, the Aurora Ice Museum, Fountainhead Auto Museum, the Museum of the North, and Pioneer Park.
Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its restaurants. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.
Saint Petersburg has a number of nationally recognized food spots and 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.
Fairbanks offers some easy restaurants to choose from. Food can be expensive and of varying quality, but many restaurants use local meats and seafood. There's a surprising number of international restaurants in town as well. Also make sure you try the local specialties like reindeer sausage, Yukon gold potatoes, and Alaskan salmon.
Saint Petersburg is a popular place for its evening party scene. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for nightlife.
With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Saint Petersburg. There are beachside bars, rooftop restaurants, and dance clubs around town for those looking for a night out.
Things get quiet in the evenings in Fairbanks. You will find some bars around town, but for the most part, the city stays quiet at night.
Saint Petersburg is a popular place for its luxury resorts. However, Fairbanks is not a resort destination.
Saint Petersburg has a few great resort options. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.
Fairbanks is not a resort destination.
Saint Petersburg is an amazing coastal city to visit for the beach. However, Fairbanks is not a beach destination.
Travelers come from around the world to visit the beaches in Saint Petersburg. 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.
Fairbanks is not a beach destination.
Fairbanks is great for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.
Many visitors go to Fairbanks for the hiking trails. While the town serves as a gateway to the Arctic and all that it has to offer, there are also hiking trails both in town and nearby. There are trails that connect the city's historic sites as well as day hikes that start at the edge of town.
Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.
If you're looking to go shopping, Saint Petersburg and Fairbanks both offer plenty of notable spots.
Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in 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.
Fairbanks offers some nice shopping areas. There are interesting local shops and boutiques that sell native Alaskan handmade items. You'll find "Made in Alaska" merchandise at many boutiques and souvenir shops. There are also larger retailers available in case you forgot clothing or other items at home.
Fairbanks is terrific for its scenery and beauty. However, Saint Petersburg is not a destination known for its beauty.
Many visitors also come to Fairbanks because of it's amazing beauty. The city offers access to Alaska's interior, as well as the Arctic. The scenery is spectacular and the wildlife is abundant. Fairbanks is also the best place in Alaska to see the Northern Lights. They are best seen between the months of August and April.
Saint Petersburg is not a destination known for its beauty.
Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.
You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Saint Petersburg. 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.
You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Fairbanks. Kids who enjoy searching for wildlife, playing in the snow, and exploring nature will love a visit to Fairbanks. Make sure you visit the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge as well as Pioneer Park.
Saint Petersburg is a very popular place for couples. Also, Fairbanks is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for romance.
Saint Petersburg makes for a fun place to visit for 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.
Fairbanks is a nice destination for couples. Couples who enjoy hiking and nature will love a visit here. If you're hoping to see the northern lights, Fairbanks is your best destination in Alaska. Try to visit sometime between August to April for the best chance of enjoying the lights.
Fairbanks is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for backpackers.
Fairbanks is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many outdoor recreation areas where backpackers can explore. Alaska, and Fairbanks in particular, can have very harsh conditions, so unless you know what you're doing, it's best to take a guide.
Saint Petersburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many backpackers, but budget travelers will appreciate the affordable accommodation around town.
Saint Petersburg is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its public transit.
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 limited or non-existant in Fairbanks. There is a public bus system that connects the downtown area with the shopping areas and the university. However, you really can't rely on it to explore the region and you should have your own vehicle.
Saint Petersburg is a decent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Fairbanks is lacking in good options for its 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.
Fairbanks is not a walkable coastal city. The city was built for cars and there are very few walkable areas around town.
For even more information, also check out Is Saint Petersburg Worth Visiting? and Is Fairbanks Worth Visiting?.
It's fun to spend time in either Saint Petersburg or Fairbanks. In our opinion, Saint Petersburg has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Fairbanks. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Fairbanks. 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 Fairbanks. 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.
You'll find shopping and museums around the coastal city of Saint Petersburg. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.
You'll find museums and shopping around the Arctic destination of Fairbanks. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun-filled destination of Saint Petersburg. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this coastal city has to offer. This coastal city offers a variety of activities to choose from.
You'll find shopping and museums around the unique city of Fairbanks. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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.
Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the fun-filled coastal city of Saint Petersburg. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a great beach destination, too. Most people head to the area for the beaches. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.
Fairbanks is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. 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.
Saint Petersburg is a popular choice for travelers. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.
Fairbanks is a great place to explore. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking while in the area. 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.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $239, while the average daily cost in Fairbanks is $318. 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 Saint Petersburg and Fairbanks in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Fairbanks? 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.
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Fairbanks:
Prices for flights to both Fairbanks and Saint Petersburg 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.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saint Petersburg:
For Fairbanks, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
For Fairbanks, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Fairbanks's activities, tours, and tickets:
For Fairbanks, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Fairbanks, we can see that Fairbanks is more expensive. And not only is Saint Petersburg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saint Petersburg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saint Petersburg 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 Fairbanks would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Fairbanks than you might in Saint Petersburg.
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 Fairbanks Expensive?.
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Fairbanks. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Fairbanks, 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 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.
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Fairbanks. Most visitors come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Fairbanks because of the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 82°F (28°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).
Saint Petersburg gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 2 inches (51 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Fairbanks. The autumn months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the shopping scene. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Fairbanks this time of year.
It's quite cold in Fairbanks in the autumn. Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Fairbanks in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Fairbanks fluctuates around 27°F (-3°C).
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in October than Fairbanks. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.9 inches (22 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.
Both Fairbanks and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Fairbanks for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Fairbanks. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Fairbanks. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Fairbanks averages at about -9°F (-23°C).
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Fairbanks. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.5 inches (13 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
Both Fairbanks and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the beaches. Also, many visitors come to Fairbanks in the spring for the natural beauty.
Fairbanks can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Fairbanks. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 73°F (23°C), and Fairbanks fluctuates around 32°F (0°C).
Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in April than Fairbanks. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Fairbanks receives 0.4 inches (9 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, June to November in Saint Petersburg is the hurricane season.
Saint Petersburg | Fairbanks | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 59°F (15°C) | 2.3 inches (59 mm) | -9°F (-23°C) | 0.5 inches (13 mm) |
Feb | 62°F (17°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | -2°F (-19°C) | 0.4 inches (11 mm) |
Mar | 67°F (20°C) | 3.9 inches (99 mm) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 inches (12 mm) |
Apr | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 inches (53 mm) | 32°F (0°C) | 0.4 inches (9 mm) |
May | 78°F (25°C) | 2.4 inches (61 mm) | 50°F (10°C) | 0.6 inches (16 mm) |
Jun | 82°F (28°C) | 6.5 inches (165 mm) | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 inches (36 mm) |
Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 8.4 inches (214 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2 inches (51 mm) |
Aug | 82°F (28°C) | 8 inches (203 mm) | 58°F (15°C) | 2.2 inches (57 mm) |
Sep | 81°F (27°C) | 6.3 inches (161 mm) | 47°F (8°C) | 0.9 inches (24 mm) |
Oct | 76°F (24°C) | 2.6 inches (65 mm) | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Nov | 69°F (20°C) | 1.8 inches (45 mm) | 4°F (-15°C) | 0.9 inches (22 mm) |
Dec | 62°F (17°C) | 2.2 inches (56 mm) | -5°F (-21°C) | 0.9 inches (23 mm) |