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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Geneva?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Geneva? 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 Geneva?

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.

Geneva

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and was previously the home for the United Nations Headquarters. The UN is now housed in New York City, but there is still a very strong presence in Geneva. Geneva is not known to be as energetic as some other European cities, but if you search it out, then you're sure to find some interesting places and lively nightlife. It's a very international city, in part because of the heavy UN presence, giving it an interesting feel. It is a French speaking city, and advertisements, signs, and television are all done in French.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Switzerland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Geneva?

Geneva has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Geneva, 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 Geneva?

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 Geneva in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Geneva. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Geneva because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Savonlinna is cooler than Geneva. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savonlinna in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Geneva averages at about 22°C (71°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Geneva this time of the year. In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 285 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Geneva. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Geneva in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Geneva. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Geneva this time of year.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In October, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Geneva. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 4°C (40°F), and Geneva fluctuates around 14°C (56°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Geneva. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 127 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in October than Geneva. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Geneva in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Geneva. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the winter. Savonlinna is much colder than Geneva in the winter. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Geneva fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Geneva during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Geneva receives 62 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Geneva. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Geneva in the Spring?

Both Geneva and Savonlinna during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Geneva in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In the spring, Savonlinna is much colder than Geneva. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savonlinna in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Geneva averages at about 11°C (53°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Geneva. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Geneva receives 174 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Geneva. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Geneva receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Geneva and Savonlinna