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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Kiel?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kiel? 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 Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

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 Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

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

In July, Savonlinna is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 17°C (62°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Kiel. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kiel in the Autumn?

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

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the autumn. Savonlinna is much colder than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 4°C (40°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kiel in the Winter?

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

Kiel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In the winter, Savonlinna is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savonlinna in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Kiel in the Spring?

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

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 2°C (36°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Savonlinna