Saint Petersburg is Russia's second-largest city and its cultural capital, built on 42 islands at the mouth of the Neva River. Founded by Tsar Peter the Great in 1703, it served as the imperial capital for over two centuries and is home to some of the world's greatest museums, palaces, and architectural masterpieces.
Local currency: Russian Ruble (RUB).
Daily budget by traveller style
Typical per-person daily spend in Saint Petersburg.
Cost breakdown
Typical price ranges across major spending categories.
Accommodation
- Hostel
- $12–$18/night (dorm bed)
- Budget
- $30–$50/night (budget hotel)
- Midrange
- $70–$150/night (3–4 star hotel)
- Luxury
- $200–$600+/night (5-star hotel)
Food
- Street
- $2–$5 (pyshki, pirozhki, shawarma)
- Local
- $8–$15 (canteen or local cafe)
- Midrange
- $20–$35 (mid-range restaurant, 2 courses)
- Fine
- $60–$120+ (fine dining, per person)
Transport
- Bus
- $0.40 per ride
- Metro
- $0.50 per ride
- Taxi
- $3–$8 (city ride via Yandex.Taxi)
- Airport
- $15–$20 (taxi from Pulkovo to center)
- Daytrip
- $5–$15 (suburban train to Peterhof or Pushkin)
Activities
- Museum
- $5–$12 (state museum entry)
- Hermitage
- $10 (main ticket)
- Palace
- $10–$15 (Peterhof, Catherine Palace)
- Tour
- $20–$40 (guided city walking tour)
- Canal Cruise
- $15–$25 (90-min canal boat tour)
- Ballet
- $20–$80 (Mariinsky Theatre ticket)
Trip budgets by length
What a typical trip to Saint Petersburg costs end-to-end.
Budget traveller
$280 for 7 days
Midrange traveller
$700 for 7 days
Luxury traveller
$2450+ for 7 days
Money-saving tips
Practical ways to stretch your budget further.
Use the Podorozhnik (transport card) for discounted metro and bus fares — saves 30% vs single tickets
Buy Hermitage tickets online to avoid the queue — no extra fee for online purchase
Eat lunch at business lunch deals (12–3PM) at sit-down restaurants for 30–40% savings
Visit museums on the first Thursday of the month when many offer free or reduced admission
Use Yandex.Taxi app rather than street hailing — typically 20–30% cheaper
Buy a suburban train ticket to Peterhof rather than joining an expensive group tour
Stock up on snacks at Kuznyechny Market rather than tourist-area supermarkets
The Mariinsky sells rush tickets on the day of performance at significant discounts
Book accommodations early for White Nights season (June–July) to avoid price surges
Many churches are free to visit — combine with paid museum tickets for a balanced day
Free things to do
Memorable experiences that cost nothing.
Palace Square
Stroll around the grand ceremonial heart of Saint Petersburg — completely free
Peter and Paul Fortress grounds
The fortress island and embankments are free to walk; museums inside charge entry
Nevsky Prospekt walk
Walk the full length of Saint Petersburg's magnificent main boulevard
Strelka viewpoint
The tip of Vasilievsky Island with panoramic Neva views — one of the best free viewpoints in Russia
Summer Garden
Free on Mondays; otherwise a small fee for Russia's oldest baroque garden
New Holland Island
The grounds and public spaces of this trendy arts island are free to enter
Mikhailovsky Garden
Beautiful formal garden behind the Russian Museum with free entry
Church services at Kazan Cathedral
Attending religious services at this stunning cathedral is free of charge
Alexander Nevsky Monastery grounds
The monastery complex and river walks around it are free to explore
Embankment walks along the Neva
Walking the embankments from the Hermitage to the Summer Garden is a magnificent free experience
Free museum Thursdays
Many state museums offer free admission on the first Thursday of each month
Street art in Ligovka
The side streets off Ligovsky Prospekt have outstanding free street art murals