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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Flam?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Flam? 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 Flam?

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Savonlinna and Flam, we can see that Savonlinna 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.

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Flam?

Savonlinna has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Flam, 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 Flam?

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 Flam in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Flam. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Savonlinna is a little warmer than Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savonlinna in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Savonlinna usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In October, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 4°C (40°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In October, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Flam. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Savonlinna during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Flam for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Flam. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the winter. Savonlinna is much colder than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Savonlinna usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Flam in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Flam. Furthermore, many visitors come to Flam in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In the spring, Savonlinna is much colder than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savonlinna in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Flam. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Flam and Savonlinna