Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Savonlinna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Savonlinna or Salzburg?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Savonlinna or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg?
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.
Salzburg
Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.
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 in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySavonlinna €104Salzburg €155
The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €104, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is €155. 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 Salzburg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSavonlinna €53Salzburg €91
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSavonlinna €106Salzburg €182
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Salzburg
Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna or Salzburg? 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 Salzburg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Savonlinna €39Salzburg €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:
- Private Transfer between Salzburg Airport and Salzburg City: $55
- Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $55
- Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
- Private transfer: Salzburg Airport (SZG) to Salzburg : $65
- Private transfer: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport (SZG): $65
- Private Salzburg Airport luxury transfers to Salzburg city&Hotels: $65
- Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
- Departure Private Transfers: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Business Car: $91
- Arrival Private Transfers: Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $91
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
- Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Salzburg?
Prices for flights to both Salzburg 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 €27Salzburg €41
Typical Food Prices in Salzburg
Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:
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Lunch Salad€9.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.
- Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
- Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
- Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
- Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
- Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
- Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
- Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
- Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
- Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
- Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
- Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
- Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Savonlinna €20Salzburg €30
Tours and Activities in Salzburg
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Cathedral Entry Ticket with Audio Guide Option: $5.35
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Salzburg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Sound of Music Sightseeing Walk with Audio Guide: $6.99
- A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $8.02
- Mirabell Palace and Surroundings Audio Tour: $8.52
- Salzburg Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.00
- Salzburg Cathedral: Guided Tour with Entry Ticket: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySavonlinna €9.27Salzburg €26
Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:
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Beer€3.70
Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:
- Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
- Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
- Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
- Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Salzburg, we can see that Salzburg 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 Salzburg would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Salzburg 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 Salzburg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Salzburg?
Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?
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 Salzburg in the Summer?
Both Salzburg and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Salzburg in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Savonlinna is cooler than Salzburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
It's quite sunny in Salzburg. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savonlinna. Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySavonlinna 17°C (62°F)Salzburg 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Salzburg in the Autumn?
Both Salzburg and Savonlinna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Salzburg for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Savonlinna can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much colder than Salzburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Salzburg averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets more rain in October than Salzburg. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSavonlinna 4°C (40°F)Salzburg 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Salzburg in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Salzburg. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Salzburg can be very cold. Savonlinna can be very cold during winter. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around -0°C (31°F).
Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySavonlinna -11°C (13°F)Salzburg -0°C (31°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Salzburg in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Salzburg. Additionally, the natural beauty are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.
The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. Savonlinna is much colder than Salzburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the spring, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Salzburg. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSavonlinna 2°C (36°F)Salzburg 11°C (51°F)
Typical Weather for Salzburg and Savonlinna
| Savonlinna | Salzburg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -11°C (13°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -0°C (31°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Feb | -9°C (15°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | -4°C (24°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 92 mm (3.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 91 mm (3.6 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 93 mm (3.6 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Nov | -1°C (30°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (20°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 1°C (35°F) | 64 mm (2.5 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.