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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Malmo?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Malmo? 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 Malmo?

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.

Malmo

Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.

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 Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Malmo 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 Malmo is €76. 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 Malmo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Savonlinna 53
    Malmo 45
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Savonlinna 106
    Malmo 90
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Malmo

Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Malmo? 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 Malmo


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 Malmo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Savonlinna 39
    Malmo 7.39

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:


  • Malmö Bus Card
    17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo

Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
  • Malmö City to Kastrup hotel/address - Private Car Transfer: $46
  • Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $54
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
  • Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
  • Private Transfer from Malmo City to Fredericia Cruise Port: $96
  • Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
  • Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $127

Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Malmo?

Prices for flights to both Malmo 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
    Malmo 24

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo

For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Savonlinna 20
    Malmo 15

Tours and Activities in Malmo

For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.27
  • Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.27
  • Skip the Line: Disgusting Food Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
  • Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
  • Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
  • Malmö Photography Tour: $58
  • Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
  • Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
  • Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Savonlinna 9.27
    Malmo 33


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Malmo, we can see that Savonlinna is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Malmo.

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


Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Malmo?

Malmo has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Malmo, 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 Malmo?

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 Malmo in the Summer?

Both Malmo and Savonlinna during the summer are popular places to visit.

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

In Malmo, 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 Malmo. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets more rain in July than Malmo. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Malmo in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Malmo.

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

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Malmo during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Malmo. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Malmo in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Malmo.

The weather in Malmo can be very cold. Savonlinna can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Savonlinna is much colder than Malmo. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savonlinna in January average around -11°C (13°F), and Malmo averages at about 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets more rain in January than Malmo. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F) 
    Malmo 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Malmo in the Spring?

Both Malmo and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In April, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 2°C (36°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).

Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Malmo. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F) 
    Malmo 5°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Malmo and Savonlinna

Savonlinna Malmo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 0°C (32°F) 37 mm (1.4 in)
Feb -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -0°C (32°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Mar -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (42°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 15°C (59°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 17°C (62°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 10°C (50°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Nov -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 6°C (42°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 2°C (36°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)