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

Should you visit Savonlinna or Zermatt?

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

Should I visit Savonlinna or Zermatt? 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 Zermatt?

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.

Zermatt

Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.

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

Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Zermatt?

Savonlinna has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna and Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?

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 Zermatt in the Summer?

Both Zermatt and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Zermatt for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Savonlinna is cooler than Zermatt. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savonlinna in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Zermatt averages at about 23°C (73°F).

It's quite sunny in Zermatt. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savonlinna. Savonlinna usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zermatt during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. In July, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Zermatt in the Autumn?

Both Zermatt and Savonlinna during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Zermatt in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. In October, Savonlinna is generally much colder than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around 4°C (40°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 152 hours of full sun.

Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Savonlinna usually gets less rain in October than Zermatt. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Zermatt in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Zermatt. Furthermore, most visitors come to Zermatt for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Zermatt can be very cold during winter. Savonlinna can get quite cold in the winter. Savonlinna is much colder than Zermatt in the winter. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around -11°C (13°F) in January, and Zermatt fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Savonlinna gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savonlinna or Zermatt in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Zermatt. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Savonlinna can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Savonlinna is much colder than Zermatt. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savonlinna in April average around 2°C (36°F), and Zermatt averages at about 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zermatt. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 176 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Zermatt. Savonlinna usually gets less rain in April than Zermatt. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Zermatt and Savonlinna