Which place is cheaper, Savonlinna or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Savonlinna?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Savonlinna? 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: Riga or Savonlinna?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
Savonlinna
Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRiga €104Savonlinna €104
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Savonlinna is €104. 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 Riga and Savonlinna in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Savonlinna €53
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Savonlinna €106
Compare Hotels in Riga and Savonlinna
Looking for a hotel in Riga or Savonlinna? 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Savonlinna Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Savonlinna €39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $38
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $52
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $70
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Savonlinna?
Prices for flights to both Savonlinna and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Savonlinna €27
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $138
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Riga €21Savonlinna €20
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.49
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRiga €20Savonlinna €9.27
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $523
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,320
When comparing the travel costs between Riga and Savonlinna, we can see that Savonlinna is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Savonlinna Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Savonlinna?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Riga and Savonlinna, 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 Riga or Savonlinna?
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 Riga or Savonlinna in the Summer?
Both Savonlinna and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Riga because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Savonlinna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 17°C (62°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Savonlinna. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Savonlinna 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Riga or Savonlinna in the Autumn?
Both Savonlinna and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In October, Riga is generally much warmer than Savonlinna. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Savonlinna fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Savonlinna. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Savonlinna 4°C (40°F)
Should I visit Riga or Savonlinna in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Savonlinna. Many travelers come to Riga for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Savonlinna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Riga. Riga is much warmer than Savonlinna in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Savonlinna fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Savonlinna. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Savonlinna -11°C (13°F)
Should I visit Riga or Savonlinna in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Savonlinna. Many visitors come to Riga in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Savonlinna can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Riga is much warmer than Savonlinna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Savonlinna. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Savonlinna 2°C (36°F)
Typical Weather for Savonlinna and Riga
| Riga | Savonlinna | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -11°C (13°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -9°C (15°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.