Which place is cheaper, Helsinki or Savonlinna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Savonlinna or Helsinki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Savonlinna or Helsinki? 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 Helsinki?
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.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Helsinki, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySavonlinna €104Helsinki €139
The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €104, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is €139. 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 Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSavonlinna €53Helsinki €73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSavonlinna €106Helsinki €146
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Helsinki
Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Helsinki? 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 Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Savonlinna €39Helsinki €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helsinki Hotels to West Harbour Cruise Terminal - Deparure Private Transfer: $32
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $32
- Helsinki West Terminal to Helsinki Airport (HEL) - Departure Private Transfer: $40
- Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Helsinki hotels-Arrival Private Transfer : $42
- Departure Private Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Port by business car: $45
- Arrival Private Transfer from Helsinki Port to Helsinki City by luxury van: $56
- Departure Private Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Port by luxury van: $56
- Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $57
- Helsinki West Harbour Terminal to Helsinki hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Private Transfer from Helsinki City Hotels to Kotka Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer From Helsinki Vantaa Airport HEL to Kotka Port: $64
- Helsinki Private Arrival and Departure Airport Transfers -: $76
Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Helsinki?
Prices for flights to both Helsinki 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 €27Helsinki €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $105
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Savonlinna €20Helsinki €27
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-Based City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $2.13
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- Tip-based Free Walking Tour Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA TOURS: $3.28
- Escape Game and Tour: $6.92
- Helsinki Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $6.92
- Temppeliaukio Church Entrance Ticket: $8.51
- From Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to Suomenlinna: $8.60
- Suomenlinna: Museum Ticket: $9.58
- Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- 4D Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki Tickets: $14
- Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $14
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySavonlinna €9.27Helsinki €16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki 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 Helsinki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Helsinki?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Helsinki, 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 Helsinki?
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 Helsinki in the Summer?
Both Helsinki and Savonlinna during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Savonlinna is generally around the same temperature as Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 17°C (62°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savonlinna. In the summer, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 275 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Helsinki. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySavonlinna 17°C (62°F)Helsinki 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Helsinki in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Helsinki. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Savonlinna can be very cold during autumn. Savonlinna is cooler than Helsinki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Helsinki fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Helsinki during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSavonlinna 4°C (40°F)Helsinki 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Helsinki in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Helsinki. Additionally, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.
It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In the winter, Savonlinna is much colder than Helsinki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savonlinna in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Helsinki averages at about -6°C (21°F).
In the winter, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Helsinki. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 39 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Helsinki. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySavonlinna -11°C (13°F)Helsinki -6°C (21°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Helsinki in the Spring?
Both Helsinki and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the spring. In April, Savonlinna is generally cooler than Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 2°C (36°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSavonlinna 2°C (36°F)Helsinki 3°C (37°F)
Typical Weather for Helsinki and Savonlinna
| Savonlinna | Helsinki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -11°C (13°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -9°C (15°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | -4°C (24°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -1°C (30°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (20°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.