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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Oslo?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Oslo? 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 Oslo?

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.

Oslo

Oslo is not only the largest city in Norway, and also its capital. It also holds the title as the most expensive city in the world. Oslo is a unique capital city in that its boundaries include much forest and wildlife. The city itself is nestled in an amphitheater type setting. The city's core is in the bottom by the fjord, and the residential areas stretch uphill away from the downtown area.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in Norway, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Oslo 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 Oslo is €127. 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 Oslo in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Savonlinna 53
    Oslo 76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Savonlinna 106
    Oslo 152
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Oslo

Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Oslo? 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 Oslo


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 Oslo Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Savonlinna 39
    Oslo 22

Typical Local Transportation Prices in Oslo

Some typical examples of transportation costs in Oslo are as follows:


  • Tram Ticket
    6.16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Oslo

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Oslo:

  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim - Arrival Transfer : $41
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $46
  • Trondheim Vaernes Airport (TRD) to Trondheim- Round-Trip Transfer: $82
  • Private Transfer from Olso Airport to Olso Hotels: $83
  • Private One-way Airport Transfer (Oslo Airport To/From Oslo): $90
  • Oslo Cruise Port to Oslo Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $91
  • Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) to Oslo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $92
  • Oslo City Center to Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) - Departure Private Transfer: $92
  • Olso: Private Transfer from the City Center to Oslo Airport: $109
  • Departure Private Transfer from Oslo to Oslo Airport OSL by Business Car: $115
  • Oslo Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Oslo hotels: $131
  • Airport & City Transfers in Trondheim: $132

Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Oslo?

Prices for flights to both Oslo 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
    Oslo 28

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Oslo

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

  • Oslofjord Cruise with Seafood Dinner: $60
  • Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: $76
  • Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer : $116
  • 3-course Dinner Cruise in the Oslofjord: $120
  • Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Savonlinna 20
    Oslo 18

Tours and Activities in Oslo

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Oslo are as follows:

  • Free City Walking Tour: $0.93
  • Explore Oslo with Passionate Tour Guides: $3.26
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.26
  • Oslo Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.63
  • Digging up the Past in Røros: A Self-Guided Walking Tour: $6.99
  • Downtown Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
  • An Oslo Waterfront Stroll: Self-paced Audio Tour: $7.99
  • Oslo Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $8.14
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Oslo Self-Guided Walking Tour with Audio Guide: $14
  • The Rose Castle Entry Ticket: $17
  • Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $19

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Savonlinna 9.27
    Oslo 10


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


Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Oslo?

Oslo has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Oslo, 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 Oslo?

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 Oslo in the Summer?

Both Oslo and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Oslo in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Savonlinna is around the same temperature as Oslo. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savonlinna in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Oslo averages at about 18°C (64°F).

It's quite sunny in Oslo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savonlinna. Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 246 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Oslo. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Savonlinna 17°C (62°F) 
    Oslo 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Oslo in the Autumn?

Both Oslo and Savonlinna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Oslo for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Oslo. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 4°C (40°F), and Oslo fluctuates around 7°C (45°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Oslo. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 86 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in October than Oslo. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Savonlinna 4°C (40°F) 
    Oslo 7°C (45°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Oslo in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Oslo. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Oslo because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Oslo can be very cold. Savonlinna can be very cold during winter. Savonlinna is much colder than Oslo in the winter. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Oslo fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Oslo during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Oslo receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Oslo. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F) 
    Oslo -4°C (25°F)

Should I visit Savonlinna or Oslo in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Oslo. Also, the activities around the city are the main draw to Oslo this time of year.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In the spring, Savonlinna is much colder than Oslo. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savonlinna in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Oslo averages at about 6°C (42°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Oslo. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Oslo receives 178 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Oslo. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Oslo receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F) 
    Oslo 6°C (42°F)

Typical Weather for Oslo and Savonlinna

Savonlinna Oslo
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -4°C (25°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Feb -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -3°C (26°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Mar -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 1°C (33°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Apr 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 6°C (42°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (53°F) 52 mm (2 in)
Jun 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Sep 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in) 12°C (53°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 7°C (45°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 1°C (35°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Dec -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) -2°C (28°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)