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

Should you visit Savannah or New Orleans?

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

Should I visit Savannah or New Orleans? 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 beautiful, charming, and scenic city. It's a gorgeous place to visit. Other reasons to visit include beaches, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a vibrant, energetic, and fun-filled city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. This is a quaint and attractive place to visit, too. It's also known for nightlife, live music, and food.

Savannah and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Savannah or New Orleans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans than Savannah, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. New Orleans is more popular for its food, nightlife, music, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Savannah is known for its museums, beaches, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Savannah and is popular for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also home to The French Quarter. Savannah is popular for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District.

The French Quarter

How is Savannah different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its restaurants.

For foodies, New Orleans is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

Savannah has a huge number of terrific restaurants. 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.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for nightlife. However, Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

New Orleans has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is an amazing city to visit for live music. However, Savannah is not a live music destination.

New Orleans is a world class music destination. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Savannah is not a live music destination.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for Beaches?

Savannah is a city with good options for its beaches. However, New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Savannah. 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.

New Orleans is not a beach destination.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

It's fun to wander around the excellent old towns in both Savannah and New Orleans.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting 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.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of New Orleans. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Is the Shopping Better in Savannah or New Orleans?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Savannah. 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for Families?

Savannah is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Savannah makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for backpackers.

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

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Savannah or New Orleans Better for Students?

Savannah and New Orleans are both good destinations for students and younger travelers.

Savannah is a good city to visit for students. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Plenty of students visit New Orleans. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

Both Savannah and New Orleans offer decent 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 New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Savannah or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its walkability. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable place. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Savannah?

How long in Savannah or New Orleans?

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than New Orleans 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 Savannah or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the charming 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.

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the beautiful 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.

New Orleans 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Orleans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Savannah or New Orleans?

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.

New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

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.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

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 New Orleans, we can see that New Orleans 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 New Orleans would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in New Orleans 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 Savannah Expensive? and Is New Orleans Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Savannah or New Orleans?

New Orleans has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Savannah. When comparing the sizes of Savannah and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Savannah or New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Savannah during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Savannah in the summer for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, most visitors come to New Orleans for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savannah. In the summer, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans. Savannah gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun.

New Orleans gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Savannah. Savannah usually gets more rain in July than New Orleans. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or New Orleans in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and New Orleans. Most visitors come to Savannah for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to New Orleans because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

In the autumn, Savannah is around the same temperature as New Orleans. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savannah in October average around 68°F (20°C), and New Orleans averages at about 69°F (21°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in New Orleans 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 New Orleans during autumn. Savannah gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Savannah usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Savannah or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Savannah as well as New Orleans. The winter months attract visitors to Savannah because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In January, Savannah is generally cooler than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 49°F (9°C), and New Orleans fluctuates around 51°F (11°C).

In the winter, Savannah often gets more sunshine than New Orleans. Savannah gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Savannah usually gets less rain in January than New Orleans. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or New Orleans in the Spring?

Both New Orleans and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Savannah this time of year. Also, many travelers come to New Orleans for the activities around the city.

Savannah is around the same temperature as New Orleans in the spring. The daily temperature in Savannah averages around 66°F (19°C) in April, and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. Savannah usually receives more sunshine than New Orleans during spring. Savannah gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun in the spring.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In April, Savannah usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Savannah