A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Gainesville vs. Savannah for Attractions, Food, Couples, and Families

Should you visit Gainesville or Savannah?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Gainesville or Savannah, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Gainesville

Gainesville is a active, vibrant, and high energy city. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Savannah

Savannah is a historic, beautiful, and charming city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, beaches, and shopping.

Gainesville and Savannah: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Gainesville or Savannah?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Savannah. Although Gainesville and Savannah are about the same size, Savannah has more sights, activities, and attractions for travelers. Savannah is more popular for its food, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Gainesville is known for its nightlife. Savannah is more touristy than Gainesville and is known for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. It is also home to Forsyth Park. Gainesville is popular for being the home of the University of Florida

How is Gainesville different from Savannah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Savannah and Gainesville. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Gainesville or Savannah?

Both Gainesville and Savannah have very good landmarks and museums for visitors.

With a variety of museums, monuments, and historical sights, a trip to Gainesville can be an interesting and educational experience. There's a surprising number of museums around town such as the Florida Museum of Natural History, the Samuel P. Harn Museum of Art, and the Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention. Also fascinating is the Historic Haile Homestead, the Butterfly Rainforest, and the city's planetarium.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Savannah. The city's long history can be explored at the Savannah History Museum. With the Savannah School of Art and Design in town, you'll also find a great art culture with several museums such as the SCAD Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts. There's also the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Sea Maritime Museum. There are several historic houses that you can visit as well, such as the Andrew Low House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Harper Fowlkes House.

Is the Food Better in Gainesville or Savannah? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Savannah is notable for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Savannah makes for a great culinary experience. Local restaurants highlight southern hospitality as well as the cuisine. You'll find many classics such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and fried fish. There are many restaurants in historic buildings in the Historic District, but you'll also find a number of casual eateries in other neighborhoods.

Gainesville has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Casual eateries are popular around town, particularly with the student population. There are grills, diners, and bistros that serve local dishes at affordable prices.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Nightlife?

Gainesville is a well-known place for nightlife. However, Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Gainesville offers plenty to do in the evening. The nightlife centers around the student population. The two main party areas are Midtown and Downtown. Midtown is between Northwest 17th Street and Northwest 18th Street and it's convenient for students who live on campus. The area has a great stretch of bars and clubs. The Downtown area has many of the city's top clubs, and it's popular with upperclassmen and students who live off campus.

Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife. Downtown Savannah and River Street are filled with bars and clubs that keep things lively when the sun goes down. During the warmer months there are outdoor venues, concerts and events, but even during the cooler seasons things stay busy.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Beaches?

Savannah is a nice place to visit for its beaches. However, Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Savannah has a beach worth visiting. While Savannah doesn't actually have a beach, you can head to nearby Tybee Island for waves and sun. It's about half an hour away and the closest beaches to the city are on the island's north side.

Gainesville is not a beach destination.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is notable for its historic old town. However, Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Savannah to see the historical old town. There's an impressive Historic District that is filled with gardens, historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and Oak-lined streets. There are wonderful hotels and traditional restaurants that offer a beautiful experience.

Gainesville does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Gainesville or Savannah?

Savannah is notable for shopping. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Savannah is an extremely popular place for shoppers. Shopping opportunities include art galleries, trendy clothing boutiques, and larger shopping malls. Visitors can wander down the popular Broughton Street, but there's also a City Market and Starland District.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Gainesville. You'll find all of the standard shopping options around town such as malls, shopping centers, and retail outlets. Two popular areas are the Neighborhoods at Butler and Celebration Pointe.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Families?

Gainesville and Savannah are both good destinations for the whole family.

Gainesville is a family-friendly place to visit. You'll find outdoor activities, nature parks, and a couple of museums that will appeal to all ages. Highlights for families include A. Quinn Jones Museum and Cultural Center, the Adventure Outpost, and Alfred A. Ring Park.

Savannah is a family-friendly city. There's a children's museum in town. There's also many outdoor parks and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kids will enjoy stopping for ice cream or other sweet treats, which are plentiful as well.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Couples?

Savannah is notable for romance. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

Savannah is a very popular place to visit for couples. Trees with Spanish Moss as well as a charming Historic District make this a nice destination for a couple's weekend. There are parks where you can enjoy a picnic. There are also nature trails and many great southern restaurants.

Gainesville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples can enjoy wine tasting and fine dining or enjoying the city's many outdoor activities. Go on a picnic or explore one of the museums in Downtown Gainesville.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a nice place to visit for backpackers. However, Gainesville is a mediocre city for backpackers and budget travelers.

It's common for backpackers to visit Savannah. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.

Gainesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not high on the list for many travelers, but there are some cheap motels where budget travelers can stay.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Students?

Gainesville is a well-known place for students. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Gainesville is a very popular city for students and younger travelers. As the location of the University of Florida, you'll find many students around town. This keeps the energy high with plenty of evening activities and affordable entertainment options.

Plenty of students visit Savannah. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Is Gainesville or Savannah Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Gainesville is a popular place for its public transit. However, Savannah is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Gainesville has a few public transit options. There's a decent bus system that's free to students and employees of the university.

Public transit is mostly limited in Savannah. While there are some types of public transit available, the vast majority of visitors have a vehicle, which they use to get around.

Is Gainesville or Savannah a more walkable city?

Savannah is notable for its walkability. Also, Gainesville is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its high level of walkability.

Savannah is very walkable. The Historic District is very walkable, and it makes a pleasant place to explore on foot.

Gainesville is a somewhat walkable place. Biking is actually a popular way to get around town and some areas are pedestrian-friendly.

For even more information, also check out Is Gainesville Worth Visiting? and Is Savannah Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Savannah or Gainesville?

How long in Gainesville or Savannah?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Gainesville and Savannah. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Savannah than in Gainesville. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Gainesville, and 1-3 days is enough time in Savannah.

Families should spend more time in Savannah than Gainesville. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Savannah, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Gainesville. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Savannah that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than Gainesville 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 Savannah.

One day in Gainesville or Savannah?

The city of Gainesville offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful city of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A weekend in Gainesville or Savannah?

Gainesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Gainesville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the scenic destination of Savannah. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Five days in Gainesville or Savannah?

Gainesville is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The scenic city of Savannah offers museums and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

A week in Gainesville or Savannah?

Gainesville is a great place to explore. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

Many people enjoy the food and shopping when visiting Savannah. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best 3-Week Tours in United States of America, The Best Bicycle Tours in United States of America, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Gainesville and Savannah, we can see that Gainesville is more expensive. And not only is Savannah much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savannah would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savannah 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 Gainesville would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Gainesville than you might in Savannah.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Gainesville Expensive? and Is Savannah Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Gainesville or Savannah?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Gainesville. When comparing the sizes of Gainesville and Savannah, 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 Gainesville or Savannah?

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 Gainesville or Savannah in the Summer?

Both Savannah and Gainesville are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Gainesville in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Savannah in the summer. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 81°F (27°C) in July, and Savannah fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Savannah. It's quite rainy in Gainesville. In July, Gainesville usually receives less rain than Savannah. Gainesville gets 6.8 inches (174 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Gainesville or Savannah in the Autumn?

Both Savannah and Gainesville during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Gainesville for the shopping scene during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Savannah because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Gainesville is around the same temperature as Savannah. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Gainesville in October average around 71°F (22°C), and Savannah averages at about 68°F (20°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in October than Savannah. Gainesville gets 2 inches (51 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year. Also, the hurricane season in Gainesville is June to November.

Should I visit Gainesville or Savannah in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Gainesville and Savannah. The winter months attract visitors to Gainesville because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Savannah this time of year.

In January, Gainesville is generally a little warmer than Savannah. Daily temperatures in Gainesville average around 54°F (12°C), and Savannah fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

In January, Gainesville usually receives around the same amount of rain as Savannah. Gainesville gets 2.9 inches (75 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Gainesville or Savannah in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Gainesville as well as Savannah. Additionally, many travelers come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty.

Gainesville is around the same temperature as Savannah in the spring. The daily temperature in Gainesville averages around 69°F (20°C) in April, and Savannah fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

Gainesville usually gets less rain in April than Savannah. Gainesville gets 2 inches (50 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year. Keep in mind that June to November is the hurricane season in Gainesville.

Typical Weather for Savannah and Gainesville