A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Ghent for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Ghent?

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

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Ghent? 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: Saint Petersburg or Ghent?

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.

Ghent

Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Budget Tours to Belgium.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Ghent, we can see that Ghent 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 Ghent would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Ghent 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 Ghent Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Ghent?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Ghent. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

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 Saint Petersburg or Ghent in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Ghent. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Ghent because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Saint Petersburg is generally around the same temperature as Ghent. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 18°C (64°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Ghent. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Ghent. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Ghent in the Autumn?

Both Ghent and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is much colder than Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Ghent. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Ghent in the Winter?

Both Ghent and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Ghent for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Ghent. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. In the winter, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Saint Petersburg in January average around -8°C (18°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Ghent. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Ghent in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Ghent. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In April, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 4°C (40°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Ghent. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Saint Petersburg