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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Cologne?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Cologne? 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 Cologne?

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.

Cologne

Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.


Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Savonlinna?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €104, while the average daily cost in Cologne is €161. 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 Cologne in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Savonlinna 53
    Cologne 91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Savonlinna 106
    Cologne 182
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Cologne

Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Cologne? 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.

Hotels in Savonlinna


Hotels in Cologne


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 Cologne Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Savonlinna 39
    Cologne 19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:

  • Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
  • Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
  • Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
  • Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Cologne?

Prices for flights to both Cologne 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Savonlinna 27
    Cologne 50

Typical Food Prices in Cologne

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:


  • Dinner
    14
  • Donner Kebab
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.

  • Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
  • Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
  • Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Savonlinna 20
    Cologne 20

Tours and Activities in Cologne

Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.20
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
  • Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
  • Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
  • Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
  • Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Savonlinna 9.27
    Cologne 23

Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:

  • Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
  • Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
  • Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
  • Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
  • Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
  • Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
  • South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
  • Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
  • Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
  • Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
  • The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Cologne, we can see that Cologne 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 Cologne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cologne 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 Cologne Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Cologne?

Cologne has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Cologne, 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 Cologne?

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 Cologne in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Cologne. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cologne this time of year.

Savonlinna is cooler than Cologne in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).

In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Cologne. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Savonlinna 17°C (62°F) 
    Cologne 19°C (66°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Cologne in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Cologne. Additionally, many travelers come to Cologne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the autumn. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Cologne averages at about 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Savonlinna 4°C (40°F) 
    Cologne 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Cologne in the Winter?

Both Cologne and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Cologne in the winter for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Cologne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Cologne. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F) 
    Cologne 3°C (37°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Cologne in the Spring?

Both Cologne and Savonlinna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the spring. Savonlinna is much colder than Cologne in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F) 
    Cologne 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Cologne and Savonlinna

Savonlinna Cologne
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 3°C (37°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 4°C (39°F) 48 mm (1.9 in)
Mar -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 7°C (44°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 17°C (63°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Sep 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 62 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 54 mm (2.1 in)
Nov -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 4°C (39°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)