Which place is cheaper, Venice 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.
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Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Venice?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Venice? 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 Venice?
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.
Venice
The canals of Venice are one of the most popular and emulated destinations in the world. In it's hay day, Venice was at the center of politics, exploration, arts and architecture. Today that history is still very much alive and well. The city is unlike any other in the world. The best way to immerse yourself in Venice is to get yourself lost in the alleyways. It's actually quite easy to do and you'll find yourself stumbling into the most interesting places, hidden away from the crowds of Piazzo San Marco.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in Italy, and The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy.
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Saint Petersburg Prices
Russia PricesVenice Prices
Italy Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaint Petersburg $86Venice $324
The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $86, while the average daily cost in Venice is $324. 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 Venice in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaint Petersburg $40Venice $140
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaint Petersburg $80Venice $280
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Venice
Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg or Venice? 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.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Venice Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saint Petersburg $8.14Venice $32
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:
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Metro Passes$1.50
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Venice
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Venice:
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Venice 12 Hour Transport Pass$19
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Vaporetto Ride$7.63
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1 Day Travel Card$21
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7 Day Transport Card (for Two)$118
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Venice
Also for Venice, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Marco Polo Airport Private Transfer to Hotel by Car& Boat: $164
- Venice, Piazzale Roma to Venice Airport (VCE)- Departure Transfer: $75
- Venice, Cruise Port to Venice Airport (VCE) - Departure Private Transfer: $69
- Venice to Treviso Airport (TSF) - Departure Private Transfer : $149
- Venice to Chioggia Port - Departure Private Transfer: $157
- Venice Shared Departure Transfer: Central Venice to Marittima Cruise Port: $47
- Venice Shared Arrival Transfer: Marittima Cruise Port to Central Venice: $47
- Venice Private Transfer (Hotel, Port, Venice or Treviso Airport, Mestre TrainSt): $149
- Venice Private Arrival Transfer by Water Taxi: Cruise Port to Central Venice: $195
- Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Departure Transfer: $299
- Venice Marco Polo Airport Private Arrival Transfer via Motorboat: $299
- Venice Marco Polo Airport Link Departure Transfer: $47
Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Venice?
Prices for flights to both Venice 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySaint Petersburg $35Venice $131
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg
For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for Two$5.14
Typical Food Prices in Venice
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Venice:
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Panini Sandwich$4.69
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Gelato$7.04
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Artichoke & Mushroom Pizza$9.27
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Expresso$2.29
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Slice of Pizza$2.62
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Three Course Dinner (for Two)$93
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Venice
For Venice, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Venice with Set Lunch or Dinner: $39
- Eating Venice Street Food Tour with Guided Tasting and Sightseeing: $53
- Small Group Venice Street Food Tour with Expert Local Guide: $57
- Secret Street Food Tour of Venice in 2,5 hours: $57
- Venice Street Food Tour with a Native & Top Rated Expert: $59
- Venetian Dinner: $74
- Tiramisu Cooking Class & Brunch in Venice – Make, Eat, and Enjoy!: $78
- Guided Small Group Kickstart Food Tour of Venice : $84
- Venice Evening Food Tour: Bites, Drinks & Sit-Down Dinner: $90
- Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine: $90
- Venetian Secrets 3 course Cooking Class and Unlimited Prosecco: $94
- Lunch or dinner and cooking demo at a local home in Belluno: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saint Petersburg $20Venice $118
Typical Entertainment Prices in Venice
For Venice, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Venice Boat Ride$18
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Bell tower of St. Mark Entrance Fee$9.39
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Gondola Ride (for Group)$94
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Secret Itinerary Tour- Doge's Palace$19
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The Jewish Museum Admission$3.52
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The Glass Museum in Murano$9.39
Tours and Activities in Venice
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Venice.
- Murano & Burano Islands Tour with Glass-blowing Factory Visit: $47
- Peggy Guggenheim collection Venice private tour: $78
- Teatro La Fenice Guided Tour: $96
- Venice Doge's Palace Reserved Access Tour: $66
- Venice Rialto Walking Private Tour: $233
- Venice at sunset Private tour: $167
- Private 2-Hour Doge's Palace Tour: $255
- 2 Hour Venice Canal Kayak Tour - Premium experience by day: $131
- 4 hours Private Boat Tour to Murano, Burano with local real guide: $214
- 4-hour private tour in the Northern Lagoon with traditional boat: $247
- A Self-Guided Tour Around Venice's Castello District: $8.99
- A Venetian Aperitif on The Lagoon Private Tour: $143
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaint Petersburg $11Venice $29
Typical Alcohol Prices in Venice
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Venice:
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1/2 Liter Wine$6.10
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Beer$5.75
Sample the Local Flavors in Venice
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Venice:
- Guided Visit and Wine Tasting at the Winery in Veneto: $30
- Natural Wine Tasting in the heart of the Prosecco Hills: $33
- Guided Tour and wine tasting 5 wines to discover the Conegliano Valdobbiadene: $43
- Venice Cicchetti, Spritz and Wine Tour with a Local Guide: $62
- Venice Wine Tasting and Contemporary Art: $78
- 2 Hour Cicchetti and Wine Tasting Tour in Venice: $78
- Natural wine tasting with a Bacaro owner in Venice: $105
- Rialto Market Food and Wine Tasting Guided Tour in Venice: $112
- Eat like a Local: Venice Cicchetti and Wine Tasting Evening Tour : $118
- A Venetian Evening - Wine Tasting & Cicchetti with a Local Guide: $130
- From Prosecco Full Experience with Wine Tasting and Lunch: $167
- Prosecco Wine Tour. Half-day. From Venice: $170
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saint Petersburg and Venice, we can see that Venice 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 Venice would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Venice 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 Venice Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Venice?
Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Venice. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg and Venice, 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 Venice?
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 Venice in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Venice. Also, many travelers come to Venice for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Saint Petersburg is cooler than Venice. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Venice averages at about 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Venice this time of the year. In Saint Petersburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Venice during summer. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 287 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Venice. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaint Petersburg 18°C (64°F)Venice 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Venice in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Venice. Also, many visitors come to Venice in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much colder than Venice. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Venice fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).
In the autumn, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Venice. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 134 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Venice. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Venice receives 67 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaint Petersburg 6°C (42°F)Venice 14°C (57°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Venice in the Winter?
Both Venice and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Venice for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Venice can be very cold during winter. Saint Petersburg can get quite cold in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much colder than Venice in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Venice fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Venice during winter. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies, while Venice receives 88 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Saint Petersburg usually receives less rain than Venice. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Venice receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaint Petersburg -8°C (18°F)Venice 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Venice in the Spring?
Both Venice and Saint Petersburg during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Venice because of the natural beauty.
Saint Petersburg can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much colder than Venice. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Venice averages at about 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Venice. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Venice receives 154 hours of full sun.
Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in April than Venice. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Venice receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaint Petersburg 4°C (40°F)Venice 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Venice and Saint Petersburg
| Saint Petersburg | Venice | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -8°C (18°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (28°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (40°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 11°C (52°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (60°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 67 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 90 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | -5°C (24°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 50 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.