Should you visit Savannah or Lancaster?
Should I visit Savannah or Lancaster? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
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.
Lancaster
The largest city in Pennsylvania's Dutch Country, Lancaster is surrounded by scenic landscape and a unique culture. The area is predominately agricultural in nature and you will find lush farms growing crops and produce most seasons. The Amish communities are spread throughout the area and although they remain relatively isolated, they are acknowledged by fellow community members and their customs are respected. The Amish community prides themselves on minimalist living. They do not use electricity and travel around in horse and buggy, a sight which you will grow accustomed to while you're in the area. They are excellent farmers and craftsmen and you can find shops that proudly sell Amish made goods. Their close are old fashion in nature. Women generally wear long dresses and bonnets while men wear black suits and hats. The Amish community has their own churches and their own schools. There are a handful of places where you can learn more about the Amish community in the area. The Amish Experience F/X Theater offers shows and the People's Place Quilt Museum shows some handicrafts. It is possible to take an Amish Country tour or visit the Mennonite Information Center for more information.
Which city is cheaper, Lancaster or Savannah?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Savannah is $128, while the average daily cost in Lancaster is $146. 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. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Savannah and Lancaster in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $67. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Savannah the cost is $134 on average.
The prices for places to stay in Lancaster can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is $73, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around $146.
Food
On average, meal and food prices in Savannah cost around $46 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $18.
On average, meal and food prices in Lancaster cost around $42 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around $17.
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Food
Meals for one day
Savannah $46
Lancaster $42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Savannah
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Savannah.
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2-Hour Southern Food Tour:
$47
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Savannah Southern Fried Expectations Walking Food Tour:
$47
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3-Hour First Squares Food Tour:
$57
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Famous and Secret East Side Food Tour:
$57
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Savannah's Historic & Secret East Side Walking Food Tour:
$61
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Savannah Culinary & Cultural Walking Food Tour:
$61
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Savannah Riverboat Gospel Music Dinner Cruise:
$72
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Riverboat Dinner Cruise with Live Entertainment:
$77
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Savannah Riverboat Dinner Cruise:
$79
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Savannah Walktails & Bar Bites Guided Food Tour:
$80
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lancaster
For Lancaster, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Private Walking Food Tour in Lancaster:
$48
Local Transportation
The cost of a taxi ride in Savannah is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $22 per person, per day, on local transportation in Savannah.
Lancaster's transportation costs can vary by the type of transport chosen by visitors. Naturally, taxis and private drivers cost much more than public transportation options. On average, visitors spend $55 per person, per day on transportation in Lancaster.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Savannah
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Savannah:
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Private Arrival Transfer: Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport to Hotel:
$157
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Private Departure Transfer: Hotel to Savannah Airport:
$157
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Savannah Hilton Airport (SAV) to Savannah - Round-Trip Private Transfer:
$124
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SAV Airport Transfer To & From South Carolina:
$120
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Private Arrival Transfer from Savannah Airport SAV:
$73
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Private Departure Transfer to Savannah Airport SAV:
$73
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Savannah to Savannah Hilton Airport (SAV) - Departure Private Transfer:
$62
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Savannah Hilton Airport (SAV) to Savannah - Arrival Private Transfer:
$62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lancaster
Also for Lancaster, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer from Lancaster to Manchester Airport (MAN):
$183
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Private transfer: Lancaster to Lancaster Airport (LNS):
$622
Is it cheaper to fly into Savannah or Lancaster?
Prices for flights to both Lancaster 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.
Entertainment
Entertainment and activities in Savannah typically cost an average of $13 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Sightseeing, admission tickets, things to do, and other entertainment expenses in Lancaster can vary widely by price. On average, visitors spend around $15 per person, per day on entertainment and sightseeing here.
Typical Entertainment prices in Savannah
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Savannah are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Savannah
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Savannah are as follows:
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"Pedal through Savannah" 2-Hour Bike Tour:
$30
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10:00 pm Restless Souls Tour:
$29
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13 Ghosts of Christmas: Savannah Ghost Tour:
$26
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60-Minute Guided Segway History Tour of Savannah:
$49
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8:00 pm Voices of the Dead Tour:
$29
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90-Minute Segway History Tour of Savannah:
$71
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America's Most Haunted City Savannah, Georgia Interpreter Tour:
$179
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Bonaventure Cemetery Walking Tour with Transportation:
$30
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Botanical Walking Tour of Savannah:
$32
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Cayman Honey Beekeeping Adventure:
$67
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Colonial Park Cemetery Segway and Walking Tour:
$69
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Custom Savannah Private Tour:
$103
Tours and Activities in Lancaster
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lancaster.
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Lancaster County: National Toy Train Museum Admission Ticket:
$7.50
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Evening Ghost Tour by Candlelight:
$18
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Ghost Tour of Lancaster:
$18
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Premium Amish Country Tour including Amish Farm and House:
$32
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Truly Authentic Lancaster Experience!:
$59
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Sweet & Savory Tour of Lancaster City!:
$60
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Downtown & Amish Country Authentic Lancaster Tour:
$65
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Authentic Tour & Meal with an Amish Family!:
$65
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Lancaster City VIP Restaurant Tour:
$75
Alcohol
The average person spends about $28 on alcoholic beverages in Savannah per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Lancaster, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is $9.14.
Sample the Local Flavors in Savannah
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Savannah:
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Epic Savannah Bar Crawl: By Let’s Roam:
$12
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90 Minute Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl:
$15
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Spanish Moss Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl:
$20
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Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl Walking Tour:
$24
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Haunted Pub Tour:
$28
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Haunted Savannah Ghost & Pub Walking Tour:
$28
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Bad Kitty Haunted Pub Crawl - The Best Savannah Ghost and Spirits Experience:
$29
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Spooky Savannah Haunted Pub Crawl and Walking Ghost Tour:
$30
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Creepy Crawl Night-Time Haunted Pub Walking Tour of Savannah's Historic District:
$30
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Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl:
$30
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Haunted Savannah Pub Crawl:
$30
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Drag Queen Guided Pub Crawl with Sing-a-Longs:
$34
When comparing the travel costs between Savannah and Lancaster, we can see that Lancaster 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 North America, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
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