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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Tromso?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Tromso? 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 Tromso?

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.

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Coach Bus Tours in Norway, and The Best Adventure Tours to Norway.

When comparing the travel costs between Savonlinna and Tromso, we can see that Tromso is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Tromso?

Tromso has a larger population, and is about 92% larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Tromso, 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 Tromso?

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 Tromso in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Tromso. Also, most visitors come to Tromso for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Savonlinna is a little warmer than Tromso in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Tromso fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tromso. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savonlinna this time of the year. In the summer, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in July than Tromso. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Tromso in the Autumn?

Both Tromso and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

The weather in Tromso can be very cold. Savonlinna can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much warmer than Tromso. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Tromso averages at about 3°C (37°F).

Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during autumn. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Tromso. In October, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Tromso. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Tromso in the Winter?

Both Tromso and Savonlinna during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the winter. The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In January, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Tromso fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

In the winter, Savonlinna often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun.

Savonlinna usually gets less rain in January than Tromso. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Tromso in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Tromso. Furthermore, many travelers come to Tromso for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the spring. Savonlinna is much warmer than Tromso in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Tromso fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).

Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during spring. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Tromso. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Savonlinna