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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Krakow?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Krakow? 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 Krakow?

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.

Krakow

Krakow is Poland's second largest city. It sits on both sides of the Wisla River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains. There are more than 1.4 million residents in the metropolitan area. Krakow is known as a historical and beautiful city that is one of the country's most popular tourist destinations. Tourism makes up a large part of the city's economy, but there is also a university and several local colleges which are major employers as well. Technology has grown in recent years and the city has some notable employees including Google, IBM and Motorola. Other important industries include steel, pharmaceuticals and tobacco.

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 in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Krakow 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 Krakow is €60. 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 Krakow in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Savonlinna 53
    Krakow 39
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Savonlinna 106
    Krakow 78
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Krakow

Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Krakow? 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 Krakow


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 Krakow Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Savonlinna 39
    Krakow 6.00

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Krakow

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Krakow:

  • Kraków: Kraków Airport to Central Bus Station Bus Transfer: $5.31
  • From Auschwitz-Birkenau Roundtrip Bus Transfer: $6.19
  • Balice Airport Luxury Vehicle Private Transfer: $9.91
  • Private Transfer to or from Krakow Airport: $10
  • Private Transfer to/from Krakow Airport (KRK): $11
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour & Transfer from Krakow: $12
  • Krakow Airport Transfer Balice: $14
  • Krakow Airport Private Transfers: $15
  • Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport: $15
  • Kraków: Airport Private Transfer by Luxury Car: $16
  • Auschwitz - Birkenau Roundtrip Transfer with assistance: $17
  • Kraków Airport Private Transfer - Kraków City Center: $17

Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Krakow?

Prices for flights to both Krakow 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
    Krakow 12

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Krakow

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

  • Walking Street Food Tour: $22
  • From Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner: $32
  • Polish Folk Show and Dinner From Krakow: $40
  • Folk Show & 3-Course Dinner at Jama Michalika Café: $44
  • Romantic Dinner with a Cruise on the Vistula River: $47
  • Brewery Dinner -center of Krakow : $49
  • Krakow : Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun ! Book Now!: $59
  • Folk Show Dinner Drinking and Fun in Krakow: $63
  • Cabaret Show with Optional Dinner: $69
  • Half-Day Krakow Food Tour in Old Town and Kazimierz: $83
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $88
  • Polish Pierogi Cooking Class with Farmer's Market Shopping: $97

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Savonlinna 20
    Krakow 19

Tours and Activities in Krakow

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

  • Kraków in a nutshell - walking tour: $1.24
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Old Town Audio-Guided Walking Tour with Headset: $3.72
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
  • Old Town Audioguided walking Tour: $4.46
  • Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entry Tickets: $4.71
  • From Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: $4.95
  • Wawel Hill Tour with Audio Guide: $5.57
  • Tadeusz Kościuszko Mound Entrance Tickets: $5.62
  • From Kraków: Wieliczka Salt Mine Trip & Guided Tour: $6.19
  • Skip the Line Ticket for Kościuszko Mound in Krakow: $6.59
  • Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour: $6.69

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Savonlinna 9.27
    Krakow 6.32

Typical Alcohol Prices in Krakow

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Krakow:


  • Vodka
    13

Sample the Local Flavors in Krakow

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

  • Pub Crawl with 1 Hour of Unlimited Alcoholic Drinks: $22
  • Kazimierz Pub Crawl with 1-Hour of Unlimited Drinks: $22
  • Pub Crawl - 1-hour Open Bar then Vip to 5 Clubs - Krakow: $24
  • Halloween Pub Crawl - Krawl Through Krakow: $24
  • Pub tour in Old Town with 1 hour open bar with a guide.: $25
  • Kazimierz Pub Crawl + 1-hour Open Bar: $25
  • Pub Crawl with Shots, Drinks & Skip-the-Line Entry: $25
  • Pub Crawl of Kazimierz Jewish Quarter with a Local Guide : $25
  • Three-Hour Pub Crawl: $39
  • Wieliczka Vineyard: Wine tasting with local snacks: $44
  • Hoppy tours - Krakow brewery tour : $56
  • Krakow Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $176


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Krakow, we can see that Savonlinna is more expensive. And not only is Krakow much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Krakow would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Krakow 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 Savonlinna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Savonlinna than you might in Krakow.

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


Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Krakow?

Krakow has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Krakow, 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 Krakow?

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 Krakow in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Krakow.

Savonlinna is cooler than Krakow in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Krakow fluctuates around 19°C (67°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Krakow this time of the year. In Savonlinna, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Krakow during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 201 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Krakow. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Savonlinna 17°C (62°F) 
    Krakow 19°C (67°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Krakow in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Krakow.

It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the autumn. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much colder than Krakow. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Krakow averages at about 11°C (51°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Krakow. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 97 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets more rain in October than Krakow. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Savonlinna 4°C (40°F) 
    Krakow 11°C (51°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Krakow in the Winter?

Both Krakow and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Krakow can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Krakow. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Krakow fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Krakow during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Krakow receives 38 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Krakow. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Krakow receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F) 
    Krakow -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Krakow in the Spring?

Both Krakow and Savonlinna during the spring are popular places to visit.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the spring. Savonlinna is much colder than Krakow in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Krakow fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Krakow. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Krakow receives 132 hours of full sun.

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


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F) 
    Krakow 10°C (50°F)

Typical Weather for Krakow and Savonlinna

Savonlinna Krakow
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -2°C (29°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Feb -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 0°C (32°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 34 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 18°C (64°F) 96 mm (3.8 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 19°C (67°F) 86 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 19°C (66°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 15°C (60°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (51°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Nov -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 1°C (33°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)