A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Saint Petersburg vs. Hope for Attractions, Food, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Hope?

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 Hope can help you decide which place is right for you.

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a relaxed, fun-filled, and underrated coastal city. Other reasons to visit include shopping, museums, and nightlife. See Saint Petersburg travel costs.

Hope

Hope is a small, friendly, and local town. Other reasons to visit include hiking. See Hope travel costs.

Saint Petersburg and Hope: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Saint Petersburg or Hope?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Saint Petersburg. Although Saint Petersburg and Hope are both popular with visitors, Saint Petersburg has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Saint Petersburg is more popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Hope is known for its hiking. Saint Petersburg is more touristy than Hope and is known for its warm weather, sandy beaches, and outdoor activities. It is also home to St. Pete Beach. Hope is popular for its chainsaw carvings and being the filming location of "Rambo."

How is Saint Petersburg different from Hope?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Hope 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 Hope?

Saint Petersburg is a great coastal city for its historical sights. However, Hope is not known for its sights and museums.

Many visitors head to Saint Petersburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. 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.

Hope offers a handful of options for museums and historical sights. You can check out Hopes Art Gallery, The Sunshine Valley Tashme Museum, or the Hope Museum.

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

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

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Saint Petersburg. 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.

You'll find the standard options when it comes to food in Hope. There's a decent selection of casual restaurants with basic dishes and local cuisine.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Nightlife?

Saint Petersburg is very good for nightlife. However, Hope is not known for nightlife and partying.

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.

Most people don't head to Hope specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. It's a small town but there are some local pubs and bars.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Resorts?

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

Saint Petersburg has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find most of the resorts near the beach. Many have pools and they range in style and budget level.

Hope is not a resort destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Beaches?

Saint Petersburg is a world-class destination for its beaches. However, Hope is not a beach destination.

With world-famous beaches, Saint Petersburg is a very popular vacation destination. 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.

Hope is not a beach destination.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Hiking?

Hope is great for hiking. However, Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Many visitors go to Hope for the hiking trails. There are a range of hikes in the area, like more challenging routes such as Hope Mountain and Wells Peak. For a more casual hike you can check out Rotary Trail, Thacker Marsh Trail, and the Othello Tunnels.

Saint Petersburg is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Saint Petersburg or Hope?

Saint Petersburg is very good for shopping. However, Hope is not known for its shopping opportunities.

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.

If you're looking to go shopping, Hope has some nice offerings. It's a small town, but there are places to peak up anything you may have forgotten.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Families?

You'll find very good kid-friendly activities in either Saint Petersburg or Hope.

Saint Petersburg is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

Hope is a very kid-friendly coastal city. Kids will love enjoying the outdoors just as much as the adults. You can also visit the Hope Museum or the Coquihalla Gorge.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Couples?

Both Saint Petersburg and Hope are very good destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Hope is a very popular place to visit for couples. Couples who enjoy adventures and nature will love a few days in this beautiful area.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Hope is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Saint Petersburg is not a good destination for backpackers.

Hope is very popular with the backpacker crowd. There are many camping and backpacking opportunities in the area.

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.

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

Saint Petersburg is adequate for times when you don't have a car. However, Hope is not known 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 Hope. There is no public transit in town.

Is Saint Petersburg or Hope a more walkable city?

Saint Petersburg and Hope are decent 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.

Hope is generally not very walkable. The town is relatively walkable, but you'll likely want to get into the surrounding area where most of the activities are.

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

Should I spend more time in Hope or Saint Petersburg?

How long in Saint Petersburg or Hope?

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

Families should spend more time in Saint Petersburg than Hope. 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 Hope. 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 Hope 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 Hope?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Saint Petersburg. People usually spend lots of time at the beach. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

You'll find around the friendly destination of Hope. Hikers are also drawn to this area. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from.

A weekend in Saint Petersburg or Hope?

Saint Petersburg is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the beaches. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It's also a great beach destination, too. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

You'll find around the small town of Hope. If you have a weekend, this town 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.

Five days in Saint Petersburg or Hope?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the relaxed destination of Saint Petersburg. This coastal city offers something for everyone. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Hope 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.

A week in Saint Petersburg or Hope?

The relaxed coastal city of Saint Petersburg offers nightlife and food. You'll find plenty of activities on the beach. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

Hope 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 10-Day Tours from Vancouver, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Canada.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Hope, we can see that Saint Petersburg is more expensive. And not only is Hope much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Hope would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Hope 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 Hope.

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 Hope Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Hope?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Hope. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Hope, 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 Hope?

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 Hope in the Summer?

Both Hope and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Saint Petersburg because of the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Hope this time of year.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Hope in the summer. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 82°F (28°C) in July, and Hope fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

It's quite rainy in Saint Petersburg. In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Hope. Saint Petersburg gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hope in the Autumn?

Both Hope and Saint Petersburg during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene are the main draw to Saint Petersburg this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hope for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Hope. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saint Petersburg in October average around 76°F (24°C), and Hope averages at about 10°C (51°F).

Hope gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in October than Hope. Saint Petersburg gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 156 mm (6.1 in) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg is June to November.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hope in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Hope. Many travelers come to Saint Petersburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Hope in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Hope can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Hope. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 59°F (15°C), and Hope fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Hope receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Hope. Saint Petersburg gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 201 mm (7.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Hope in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Hope. Many visitors come to Saint Petersburg in the spring for the beaches.

Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Hope in the spring. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around 73°F (23°C) in April, and Hope fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

It's quite rainy in Hope. Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Hope. Saint Petersburg gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Hope receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Saint Petersburg.

Typical Weather for Hope and Saint Petersburg