Should you visit Savonlinna or Bergen?
Should I visit Savonlinna or Bergen? 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.
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.
Bergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway, and a major tourist destination due to its proximity and easy access to the fjords in West Norway. The nature that surrounds the city is stunning, and you can easily hop into the nearby countryside for some incredible hikes and outdoor adventures. The city itself is well known for its music and art scenes, making it a cultural haven in the country. There are many reasons to visit Bergen, not the least of which is the people that live there. Bergen is the most hilly city within Norway. It is surrounded by the Seven Mountains, which restrict development and keep the city contained. Situated in the far west of Norway, Bergen can be reached by a very scenic seven hour train ride from Oslo.
Which city is cheaper, Bergen or Savonlinna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €83, while the average daily cost in Bergen is €93. 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 Savonlinna and Bergen in more detail.
Accommodation
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €42. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Savonlinna the cost is €84 on average.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €58. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Bergen the cost is €116 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Savonlinna can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is €22 per person, and a typical meal will cost around €8.80 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
While meal prices in Bergen can vary, the average travelers spends about €26 per day on food. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out, an average meal in Bergen should cost around €10 per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in Bergen is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.
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Food
Meals for one day
Savonlinna €22
Bergen €26
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bergen
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bergen.
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Lunch / Dinner-cruise Bergen - Cornelius, the best seafood restaurant in Bergen:
$2,154
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €31 per day to get around in Savonlinna.
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around €8.25 per day to get around in Bergen.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bergen
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bergen:
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Bergen City to Bergen Cruise Port - Private Car Transfer:
$56
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Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen City - Private Car Transfer:
$56
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Departure Private Transfer from Bergen City to Bergen Cruise Port by Sedan:
$79
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Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen City by Sedan:
$79
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Bergen Airport (BGO) to Bergen hotel or address - Arrival Private Transfer:
$87
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Bergen hotel or address to Bergen Airport (BGO) - Departure Private Transfer:
$87
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Departure Private Transfer from Bergen City to Bergen Cruise Port by Minivan:
$90
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Arrival Private Transfer from Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen City by Minivan:
$90
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Bergen Cruise Port to Bergen Airport (BGO) - Departure Private Transfer:
$93
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Bergen Airport (BGO) to Bergen Cruise Port - Arrival Private Transfer:
$93
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Departure Private Transfer from Bergen City to Bergen Airport BGO by Sedan:
$102
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Private Transfer: Bergen Train station - Hotel Transfer:
$104
Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Bergen?
Prices for flights to both Bergen and Savonlinna 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
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €16 per person, per day in Savonlinna. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around €14 per person, per day in Bergen. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Tours and Activities in Savonlinna
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Savonlinna are as follows:
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Winter adventure from Savonlinna to Punkaharju:
$77
Tours and Activities in Bergen
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bergen are as follows:
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Walk with a witch in 16th century Bergen on a fictional audio tour by VoiceMap:
$5.20
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Bergen Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$15
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Walking tours:
$24
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Walking Tour in Bergen of the Past and Present:
$34
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City Sightseeing Bergen Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$41
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Bergen Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$45
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The Mountain experience:
$50
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Bergen Panoramic Tour - Shore Excursion from Bergen:
$72
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Half-Day Guided Virtual Sightseeing Tour of Mount Floyen:
$85
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Best Views of Bergen - Segway Day Tour:
$92
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Segway Experience in Bergen:
$92
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GUIDED TOUR: Hiking to Stoltzekleiven:
$98
Alcohol
The average person spends about €7.42 on alcoholic beverages in Savonlinna per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
The average person spends about €5.87 on alcoholic beverages in Bergen per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When comparing the travel costs between Savonlinna and Bergen, we can see that Bergen 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.
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