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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Hamburg?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg?

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.

Hamburg

Hamburg is most noted for its port, which is the largest in Germany and the second busiest in Europe. Despite it's size, it is actually located about 100 kilometers from the North Sea on the River Elbe. The popularity of this port has given Hamburg the nickname as Germany's Gateway to the World. The city itself is the second largest in Germany and the metropolitan area has a population of over 4 million people.

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 Berlin, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Hamburg 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 Hamburg is €117. 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 Hamburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Savonlinna 53
    Hamburg 54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Savonlinna 106
    Hamburg 108
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Hamburg

Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Hamburg? 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 Hamburg


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 Hamburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Savonlinna 39
    Hamburg 29

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hamburg

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Hamburg:


  • Short Distance Ubahn Ticket
    1.70

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Hamburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Hamburg:

  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport(HAM): $38
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport(HAM) to Hamburg Cruise Port: $38
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $41
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg to Hamburg Airport HAM Departure : $41
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Cruise Port to Hamburg City Hotels: $51
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg City Hotels to Hamburg Cruise Port: $51
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Hotels to Bremerhaven Cruise Port: $65
  • Arrival Private Transfers from Hamburg Airport XFW to Hamburg City: $76
  • Departure Private Transfers from Hamburg City to Hamburg Airport XFW: $76
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport(HAM) to Ostseekai Kiel Port: $78
  • Private Transfer from Hamburg City to Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: $78
  • Roundtrip Private Transfer from Hamburg Airport HAM to Hamburg: $83

Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Hamburg?

Prices for flights to both Hamburg 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
    Hamburg 35

Typical Food Prices in Hamburg

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


  • Pink Thai Soup Dinner and Spring Rolls
    15
  • Currywurst and Pommes Frites
    5.00
  • Donner Kebab and Coke
    6.00
  • Traditional Hamburg Dinner w/ Beer
    15
  • Donner Kebab Lunch
    4.00
  • Sandwich and Coffee Break
    6.00
  • Fish Sandwich from Fish Market
    3.50
  • Coffee and Donut
    4.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Hamburg

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

  • St. Pauli kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
  • Elphi Plaza und HafenCity kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $59
  • Original Musical Dinner Cruise 2024: $117
  • Hamburg Private Food Tours with a Local: 100% Personalized : $186
  • St. Pauli: Guided Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $481
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588
  • Elbphilharmonie Plaza and HafenCity Food Tour: $588

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Savonlinna 20
    Hamburg 39

Typical Entertainment Prices in Hamburg

Here are a few typical costs in Hamburg for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:


  • Tower at St. Michael's Church
    3.50

Tours and Activities in Hamburg

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

  • Selfguided Audiotour "Speicherstadt and HafenCity": $3.20
  • Selfguided Audiotour "Old Town and City Center": $3.20
  • Deutsche Hafen & St.Pauli Bezahl-Was-ihr-wollt Tour zu Fuß: $3.21
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $3.21
  • Harbor&St. Pauli Pay-What-You-Want 2-Hour Walking Tour: $3.21
  • English Hamburg City Center Pay-What-You-Want Walking Tour: $3.21
  • German Hamburg Historic City Center Pay-What-You-Want Tour: $3.21
  • English Harbor&St.Pauli Pay-What-You-Want Walking Tour: $3.21
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • The Local Tour of Hamburg Historic Centre: $3.26
  • Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
  • Exclusive Self-Guided Audio Tour in St. Pauli: $4.60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Savonlinna 9.27
    Hamburg 17

Sample the Local Flavors in Hamburg

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

  • Night Pub Crawl through The Repperbahn: $21
  • Weekend Night Pub Crawl through the Reeperbahn: $34
  • Pub Crawl - Ultimate party pub crawl incl. One-hour drinks flat rate: $44
  • Hamburg Pub Crawl including 1 hour flatrate for beer: $51
  • Bachelor(ette) Premium Party with Pub Crawl: $401
  • Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
  • Private Premium Pub Crawl: $513


When comparing the travel costs between Savonlinna and Hamburg, we can see that Hamburg 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 Hamburg Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Hamburg?

Hamburg has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Hamburg, 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 Hamburg?

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 Hamburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Hamburg. Furthermore, many travelers come to Hamburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.

Savonlinna is around the same temperature as Hamburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Hamburg fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Hamburg this time of the year. In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Hamburg during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 207 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Hamburg. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Savonlinna 17°C (62°F) 
    Hamburg 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Hamburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Hamburg. Additionally, many visitors come to Hamburg in the autumn for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much colder than Hamburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Hamburg averages at about 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Hamburg. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 101 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Hamburg. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Savonlinna 4°C (40°F) 
    Hamburg 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Hamburg in the Winter?

Both Hamburg and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Hamburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Hamburg can be very cold during winter. Savonlinna can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Hamburg. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Hamburg fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Hamburg during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Hamburg receives 42 hours of full sun in the winter.

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


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F) 
    Hamburg 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Hamburg in the Spring?

Both Hamburg and Savonlinna during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Hamburg because of the natural beauty.

Savonlinna can be very cold during spring. Savonlinna is much colder than Hamburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Hamburg fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Hamburg. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Hamburg receives 161 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Hamburg. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Hamburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F) 
    Hamburg 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Hamburg and Savonlinna

Savonlinna Hamburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 1°C (34°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Nov -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 2°C (35°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)