A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Savannah vs. Asheville for Food, Old Town, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Savannah or Asheville?

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

Should I visit Savannah or Asheville? 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.

Savannah

Savannah is a charming, scenic, and historic city. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. And you can't forget about the shopping, museums, and food.

Asheville

Asheville is a eclectic, outdoorsy, and progressive mountain town. It's a gorgeous place to visit. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for food, hiking, and shopping.

Savannah and Asheville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Savannah or Asheville?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Asheville than Savannah. While Savannah is larger than Asheville, Asheville has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Asheville is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, hiking, christmas markets, and quaint atmosphere, while Savannah attracts visitors for its museums, food, beaches, and historical sights. Savannah is famous for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. Asheville is famous for its fall foliage, artsy downtown, local North Carolina barbecue, and being home to the Biltmore Estate. It is also well known for The Biltmore Estate.

How is Savannah different from Asheville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Savannah is well known for its museums and landmarks. However, Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Asheville does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Savannah is well known for its restaurant scene. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

Eating is part of the travel experience when you visit Savannah. 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.

Asheville is becoming an appealing option for foodies. Downtown Asheville is filled with local restaurants that serve everything from brunch to late night snacks. There are many vegan and vegetarian options as well as a number of international restaurants. Popular local dishes include North Carolina barbeque and country ham biscuits.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Nightlife?

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

Asheville offers plenty to do in the evening. The city has a fun and eclectic nightlife scene that centers around the city's breweries and live music venues.

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 Savannah or Asheville Better for Music?

Asheville is a well-known place for live music. However, Savannah is not a live music destination.

The music scene in Asheville is very popular with diverse venues. The city has grown into a world famous music destination that holds true to its mountain roots and independent artists.

Savannah is not a live music destination.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Resorts?

Asheville is a popular place for its resorts. However, Savannah is not a resort destination.

Asheville has a handful of resorts to choose from. The most famous resorts in the area are the Biltmore Estate and the Grove Park Inn. Both offer luxury restaurants and beautiful grounds that are particularly nice during the holidays.

Savannah is not a resort destination.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Beaches?

Savannah is a good destination for the beache. However, Asheville is not a beach destination.

Savannah offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Asheville is not a beach destination.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is well known for its old town. However, Asheville is not particularly known for its historic old town charm.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Savannah. 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.

The old town area in Asheville is worth visiting. Downtown Asheville maintains much of its historic vibe, but it's smaller than some of the more notable old cities around the country.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Hiking?

Asheville is a well-known place for the nearby hiking options. However, Savannah is not a hiking destination.

Asheville is a popular spot for hiking. Just outside of town are many great hikes to waterfalls or through the mountains. The hikes range in skill level and length but many pass through local forests or along the beautiful skyline.

Savannah is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Savannah or Asheville?

Both Savannah and Asheville are superb shopping destinations.

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.

Asheville is well-known for its shopping. The city has many local shops that sell local crafts and independent art. The downtown area is filled with art vendors and you'll find the greatest concentration of shopping along the pedestrian-friendly Lexington Avenue.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Christmas?

Asheville is a well-known place for its Christmas activities. However, Savannah does not offer Christmas activities.

Asheville is an extremely popular place to visit during the Christmas season. Head to the Biltmore Estate to see it fully decorated for the Christmas season. It's also worth going to see the winning Gingerbread Houses on display at the Grove Park Inn.

Savannah does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Christmas Markets?

Asheville is a moderate mountain town for its Christmas markets. However, Savannah does not offer Christmas markets.

Asheville is a good spot to see some Christmas markets. There are a handful of local Christmas shops around town where you can buy personalized gifts.

Savannah does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Families?

Asheville is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Asheville is a very family-friendly place to visit. With its beautiful hiking, interesting nature centers, and outdoor adventure activities, this mountain town makes a great kid-friendly destination. There are outdoor adventure parks where kids can zipline or climb. There are also hands on farms and orchards for fruit-picking.

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 Savannah or Asheville Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Savannah and Asheville make for a superb place to visit.

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.

Asheville makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples enjoy exploring the beautiful Biltmore Estates or visiting the spa at the Grove Park Inn. The quaint town makes a great honeymoon destination or a nice romantic getaway. There are luxury hotels or intimate bed and breakfasts that offer different options for couples on a romantic trip.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Asheville is a well-known place for backpackers. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Asheville. The town has an eclectic vibe that backpackers appreciate. There are a few good hostels around town as well as nearby campgrounds that are perfect for budget travelers or hikers.

Savannah is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.

Is Savannah or Asheville Better for Students?

Asheville 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.

Asheville is a very popular mountain town for students and younger travelers. With its progressive personality and charming downtown, students enjoy spending time in this great town.

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

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

Both Savannah and Asheville offer reasonable public transit options.

Public transit is generally 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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Asheville. There are buses around town, but almost everyone gets around town with their own vehicle.

Is Savannah or Asheville a more walkable city?

Savannah is well known for its high level of walkability. Also, Asheville is still popular, but not quite as popular for its ease of walking around.

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

Asheville is a somewhat walkable city. If you stay downtown and don't plan to explore the outlying areas, then it's possible to walk around town. Otherwise, you'll need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Asheville or Savannah?

How long in Savannah or Asheville?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Savannah and Asheville. In our opinion, Asheville has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Asheville than Savannah. In general, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Savannah, and 2-3 days is enough time in Asheville.

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

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

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

One day in Savannah or Asheville?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Savannah. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Savannah has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The mountain town of Asheville offers live music and food. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Savannah or Asheville?

You'll find museums and food around the charming destination of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Asheville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this mountain town makes for a great vacation. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Asheville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Savannah or Asheville?

Travelers enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the beautiful city of Savannah. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Asheville 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.

A week in Savannah or Asheville?

Savannah is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Asheville is a great place to explore. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This mountain town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City, The Best 2-Week Tours from New York City, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Anchorage.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Savannah or Asheville?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 91% larger than the population of Asheville. When comparing the sizes of Savannah and Asheville, 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 Savannah or Asheville?

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 Savannah or Asheville in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and Asheville. Most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Asheville because of the hiking, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Savannah is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savannah in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Asheville averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Asheville this time of the year. In Savannah, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during summer. Savannah gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 268 hours of full sun in the summer.

Asheville receives a lot of rain in the summer. Savannah gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Savannah usually receives more rain than Asheville. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 5.4 inches (137 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savannah or Asheville in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savannah as well as Asheville. The autumn months attract visitors to Savannah because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Asheville this time of year.

In October, Savannah is generally a little warmer than Asheville. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 68°F (20°C), and Asheville fluctuates around 64°F (18°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Asheville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In the autumn, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Savannah gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 229 hours of full sun.

Savannah usually gets less rain in October than Asheville. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.4 inches (86 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or Asheville in the Winter?

Both Asheville and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Savannah this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Asheville for the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Savannah is a little warmer than Asheville in the winter. The daily temperature in Savannah averages around 49°F (9°C) in January, and Asheville fluctuates around 44°F (7°C).

Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville during winter. Savannah gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Asheville receives 176 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Asheville. In January, Savannah usually receives less rain than Asheville. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savannah or Asheville in the Spring?

Both Asheville and Savannah during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Asheville in the spring for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Savannah is around the same temperature as Asheville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savannah in April average around 66°F (19°C), and Asheville averages at about 64°F (18°C).

In Asheville, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savannah. In the spring, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Asheville. Savannah gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Asheville receives 266 hours of full sun.

Asheville gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Savannah usually gets less rain in April than Asheville. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Asheville receives 4.4 inches (112 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Asheville and Savannah