Which city is cheaper, Columbia or Savannah?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Savannah vs. Columbia for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons
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Should you visit Savannah or Columbia?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Savannah or Columbia? 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: Savannah or Columbia?
Savannah
Savanah is a reasonably priced city by U.S. standards. With a wide range of accommodation and food options, it's possible to experience this historical city on a cheaper budget, or, if you like, to live it up in luxury without spending an inordinate amount of money.
The oldest city in the state of Georgia, Savannah sits right on the Savannah River, a historic commercial port dating back to the Thirteen Colonies. The old port of the city still lies along this river, paved in traditional cobblestone roads and radiating with old southern charm. Savannah is also known for its many small parks, tunnels of oak trees and magnolias draped in southern moss, romantic horse-drawn carriages, as well as some of the most ornate antebellum architecture to be found in the south.
Whether you are interested in the past of a historically prosperous seaport or wish to enjoy the enchanting atmosphere that it still holds, Savannah is a quaint destination full of beauty with an arsenal of historic appeal to match.
Columbia
Both the largest and capital city of South Carolina, Columbia is literally the center of everything. Geographically it is located in the middle of the state, and it is the home to the University of South Carolina, the Army's Fort Jackson, as well as a variety of museums that celebrate the city's art, history, and culture.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySavannah $128Columbia $0.00
The average daily cost (per person) in Savannah is $128, while the average daily cost in Columbia is $0.00. 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 city. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Savannah and Columbia in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSavannah $67Columbia -
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSavannah $134Columbia $0.00
Compare Hotels in Savannah and Columbia
Looking for a hotel in Savannah or Columbia? 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: Savannah Hotel Prices and Columbia Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Savannah $22Columbia -
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Savannah
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Savannah:
- Savannah to Savannah Hilton Airport (SAV) - Departure Private Transfer: $62
- Savannah Hilton Airport (SAV) to Savannah - Arrival Private Transfer: $62
- Private Arrival Transfer from Savannah Airport SAV: $73
- Private Departure Transfer to Savannah Airport SAV: $73
- SAV Airport Transfer To & From South Carolina: $120
- Savannah Hilton Airport (SAV) to Savannah - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $124
- Private Arrival Transfer: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to Hotel: $157
- Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Savannah Airport: $157
Is it cheaper to fly into Savannah or Columbia?
Prices for flights to both Columbia and Savannah 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 daySavannah $46Columbia $4.02
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Savannah
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Savannah.
- Savannah Southern Fried Expectations Walking Food Tour: $47
- Famous and Secret East Side Food Tour: $57
- 3-Hour First Squares Food Tour: $57
- Savannah's Historic & Secret East Side Walking Food Tour: $61
- Savannah Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour: $61
- Savannah Riverboat Gospel Music Dinner Cruise: $72
- Monday Gospel Dinner Cruise: $73
- Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise: $79
- Savannah Walktails & Bar Bites Guided Food Tour: $80
- Savannah Riverboat: Dinner Cruise with Entertainment: $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Savannah $13Columbia -
Typical Entertainment prices in Savannah
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Savannah are as follows:
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Pub Crawl$10
Tours and Activities in Savannah
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Savannah are as follows:
- Savannah's Famous Ghost Tour - On-Location Technology (GPS) Guided Experience: $3.95
- Savannah Virtual Tour - See Savannah Virtually & Safely On Your Phone: $5.95
- Skip the Line: General Admission Webb Military Museum Ticket: $10
- Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum Self-Guided Tour: $10
- Savannah Scavenger Hunt: Historic Savannah Adventure: $12
- Skip-The-Line: The American Prohibition Museum Admission Ticket: $16
- Savannah's Haunted Historic Pub and Tavern Tour: $18
- Savannah Hidden History Walking Tour: $18
- Spirits with Spirits Happy Hour Tour in Savannah: $19
- Guided Sightseeing & History Walking Tour of Savannah: $20
- Savannah Civil War Guided Walking History Tour: $20
- Savannah Night-Time Ghost Walking Tour: $20
Tours and Activities in Columbia
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Columbia are as follows:
- Savannah: History & Ghosts Guided Tour with Beverage Stops: $20
- Cascade Locks: 1-Hour Columbia River Sightseeing Cruise: $50
- Portland: Columbia River Gorge 3-Hour Small Group Tour: $85
- Cascade Locks: Columbia Gorge Sunday Brunch Cruise: $94
- Portland: Columbia Gorge Flight Tour: $99
- Portland: Multnomah Falls Scenic Air Tour: $199
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySavannah $28Columbia $70
Sample the Local Flavors in Savannah
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Savannah:
- Epic Savannah Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam: $12
- 90 Minute Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl: $15
- Spanish Moss Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl: $20
- Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour: $24
- Haunted Savannah Ghost & Pub Walking Tour: $28
- Bad Kitty Haunted Pub Crawl - The Best Savannah Ghost and Spirits Experience: $29
- Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl and Walking Ghost Tour: $30
- Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl: $30
- Creepy Crawl Night-Time Haunted Pub Walking Tour of Savannah's Historic District: $30
- Damsels & Divas Pub Crawl: $35
- Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl with Sing-a-Longs: $38
- Savannah Yes, Queen! Drag Queen Pub Crawl: $39
Sample the Local Flavors in Columbia
Also in Columbia, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Savannah: Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour: $30
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savannah and Columbia, we can see that Savannah is more expensive. And not only is Columbia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Columbia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Columbia 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 Columbia.
When is the best time to visit Savannah or Columbia?
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 Columbia in the Summer?
Both Columbia and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
In the summer, Savannah is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savannah in July are around 82°F (28°C), and Columbia is about 82°F (28°C).
It's quite sunny in Columbia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. Savannah usually receives less sunshine than Columbia during summer. Savannah gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 293 hours of full sun in the summer.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Columbia. It's quite rainy in Savannah. In July, Savannah usually receives more rain than Columbia. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 4.6 inches (116 mm) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySavannah 82°F (28°C)Columbia 82°F (28°C)
Should I visit Savannah or Columbia in the Autumn?
Both Columbia and Savannah during the autumn are popular places to visit.
In October, Savannah is generally a little warmer than Columbia. Temperatures in Savannah average around 68°F (20°C), and Columbia stays around 64°F (18°C).
In Columbia, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savannah. In the autumn, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Savannah gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 230 hours of full sun.
Savannah usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Columbia. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSavannah 68°F (20°C)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Should I visit Savannah or Columbia in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and Columbia.
Savannah is a little warmer than Columbia in the winter. The temperature in Savannah is usually 49°F (9°C) in January, and Columbia stays around 45°F (7°C).
Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia during winter. Savannah gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Columbia receives 171 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Savannah usually receives less rain than Columbia. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 3.7 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySavannah 49°F (9°C)Columbia 45°F (7°C)
Should I visit Savannah or Columbia in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Savannah as well as Columbia.
In the spring, Savannah is around the same temperature as Columbia. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savannah in April are around 66°F (19°C), and Columbia is about 64°F (18°C).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Columbia. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In the spring, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Columbia. Savannah gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Columbia receives 273 hours of full sun.
Savannah usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Columbia. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Columbia receives 2.8 inches (72 mm) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSavannah 66°F (19°C)Columbia 64°F (18°C)
Typical Weather for Columbia and Savannah
| Savannah | Columbia | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 49°F (9°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 45°F (7°C) | 3.7 inches (93 mm) |
| Feb | 52°F (11°C) | 2.9 inches (73 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 3.5 inches (88 mm) |
| Mar | 59°F (15°C) | 4.4 inches (112 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 3.7 inches (95 mm) |
| Apr | 66°F (19°C) | 2.9 inches (74 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 2.8 inches (72 mm) |
| May | 73°F (23°C) | 4.2 inches (107 mm) | 72°F (22°C) | 3 inches (77 mm) |
| Jun | 79°F (26°C) | 5.9 inches (150 mm) | 78°F (26°C) | 3.5 inches (89 mm) |
| Jul | 82°F (28°C) | 7.9 inches (200 mm) | 82°F (28°C) | 4.6 inches (116 mm) |
| Aug | 81°F (27°C) | 6.5 inches (164 mm) | 81°F (27°C) | 5.8 inches (147 mm) |
| Sep | 77°F (25°C) | 5.6 inches (141 mm) | 75°F (24°C) | 3.3 inches (84 mm) |
| Oct | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 inches (71 mm) | 64°F (18°C) | 3 inches (75 mm) |
| Nov | 59°F (15°C) | 1.9 inches (49 mm) | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 inches (54 mm) |
| Dec | 52°F (11°C) | 3.3 inches (83 mm) | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 inches (67 mm) |
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