Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Savonlinna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Savonlinna or Budapest?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Savonlinna or Budapest? 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 Budapest?
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.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySavonlinna €104Budapest €84
The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €104, while the average daily cost in Budapest is €84. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Savonlinna and Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSavonlinna €53Budapest €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSavonlinna €106Budapest €92
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Budapest? 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: Savonlinna Hotel Prices and Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Savonlinna €39Budapest €9.80
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride€6.47
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Metro Pass€3.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
- Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
- Budapest Private Arrival Transfer: Railway station to hotels: $16
- Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
- Private One-Way Budapest Int Airport Transfer To/From Budapest: $24
- Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
- Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
- Budapest Private transfer Airport or Hotel to or from Cruise Port: $26
- Private Airport Transfer Budapest: $27
- Budapest City - Budapest Airport Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
- Hotel to Liszt Ferenc Airport departure Transfer: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest 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.
Food
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Food Meals for one daySavonlinna €27Budapest €22
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch€3.16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
- Private Street Food Tour: $59
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
- Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Savonlinna €20Budapest €20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two€6.35
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
- Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.27
- Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.27
- Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.27
- Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.27
- Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.27
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.45
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.88
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.88
- Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySavonlinna €9.27Budapest €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $17
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $28
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Budapest, we can see that Savonlinna is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Savonlinna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Savonlinna than you might in Budapest.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Savonlinna Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Budapest?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Budapest, 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 Budapest?
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 Savonlinna or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Budapest. Additionally, many travelers come to Budapest for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Savonlinna is generally cooler than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 17°C (62°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savonlinna this time of the year. In the summer, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySavonlinna 17°C (62°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Budapest in the Autumn?
Both Budapest and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. Savonlinna is much colder than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Budapest. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSavonlinna 4°C (40°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Savonlinna during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Budapest can be very cold during winter. Savonlinna can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Savonlinna is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savonlinna in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Budapest. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySavonlinna -11°C (13°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Budapest in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Budapest. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Budapest because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Savonlinna can be very cold during spring. In April, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 2°C (36°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Budapest during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Budapest. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSavonlinna 2°C (36°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Savonlinna
| Savonlinna | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -11°C (13°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -9°C (15°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -4°C (24°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | -1°C (30°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (20°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.