A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Savonlinna vs. Bern for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Savonlinna or Bern?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Bern? 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: Savonlinna or Bern?

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.

Bern

The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Bern?

Bern has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Bern, 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 Savonlinna or Bern?

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 Savonlinna or Bern in the Summer?

Both Bern and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bern this time of year.

In the summer, Savonlinna is cooler than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savonlinna in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).

It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savonlinna. Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bern during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Bern. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Bern in the Autumn?

Both Bern and Savonlinna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bern for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the autumn. In October, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 4°C (40°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Bern. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Bern in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Bern. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bern in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bern can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. Savonlinna is much colder than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Bern. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Bern in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Bern. Additionally, most visitors come to Bern for the natural beauty during these months.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Savonlinna is much colder than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savonlinna in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Bern. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Bern and Savonlinna