A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Tampa vs. Savannah for Food, Beaches, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Tampa or Savannah?

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

Should I visit Tampa or Savannah? 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.

Tampa

Tampa is a low-key, laid-back, and easy-going city. Since it's a large city, you'll find plenty of things to do. It's also known for food and beaches.

Savannah

Savannah is a beautiful, charming, and scenic city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. It's also popular because of the beaches, shopping, and museums.

Tampa and Savannah: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tampa or Savannah?

Both Savannah and Tampa have plenty of things to do for travelers. Both provide a wide variety of sights and activities for tourists. Tampa is better known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and big city activities, while Savannah is more popular for its museums, food, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty. Savannah is more touristy than Tampa and is popular for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. Tampa is well known for its amusement parks, wildlife parks, and popularity as a cruise ship port.

How is Tampa different from Savannah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Savannah and Tampa. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Tampa or Savannah?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Savannah offers many unique museums, sights, and landmarks that will make for a memorable trip. The city's long history can be explored at the Savannah History Museum. With the Savannah School of Art and Design in town, you'll also find a great art culture with several museums such as the SCAD Museum of Art and the Jepson Center for the Arts. There's also the Georgia State Railroad Museum and the Sea Maritime Museum. There are several historic houses that you can visit as well, such as the Andrew Low House, the Juliette Gordon Low Birthplace, and Harper Fowlkes House.

Tampa does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Tampa or Savannah? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its restaurants. Also, Tampa is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Savannah has a number of nationally recognized food spots and restaurants. Local restaurants highlight southern hospitality as well as the cuisine. You'll find many classics such as crab cakes, shrimp and grits, and fried fish. There are many restaurants in historic buildings in the Historic District, but you'll also find a number of casual eateries in other neighborhoods.

Tampa offers number of good local restaurants to choose from. There are a surprising number of great local restaurants around town as well as a good food truck scene. Some favorite dishes include fresh caught seafood, Grouper sandwiches, and Cuban sandwiches.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Nightlife?

Tampa is a moderate city for nightlife. However, Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife.

Most people don't head to Tampa specifically for the nightlife scene, but you can find a few options. The city has some good nightclubs, sports bars, and other spots where locals enjoy spending the evening.

Savannah is not a destination with noteworthy nightlife. Downtown Savannah and River Street are filled with bars and clubs that keep things lively when the sun goes down. During the warmer months there are outdoor venues, concerts and events, but even during the cooler seasons things stay busy.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Tampa is a moderate city for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling. However, Savannah is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Snorkeling is an option in Tampa. While the water isn't always the clearest, there are some nice snorkeling and diving spots in the area. Options include Shell Key and Egmont Key, Crystal River, and Fort De Soto.

Savannah is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Beaches?

Tampa is a well-known place for its beaches. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for the beache.

Tampa is considered a top beach destination. Popular beaches near Tampa include Ben T. Davis Beach, Fred Howard Park, and Indian Rocks Beach.

Many people head to Savannah to enjoy the beach. While Savannah doesn't actually have a beach, you can head to nearby Tybee Island for waves and sun. It's about half an hour away and the closest beaches to the city are on the island's north side.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. However, Tampa does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Savannah. There's an impressive Historic District that is filled with gardens, historic buildings, cobblestone streets, and Oak-lined streets. There are wonderful hotels and traditional restaurants that offer a beautiful experience.

Tampa does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Tampa or Savannah?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its shopping areas. However, Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Savannah. Shopping opportunities include art galleries, trendy clothing boutiques, and larger shopping malls. Visitors can wander down the popular Broughton Street, but there's also a City Market and Starland District.

Tampa is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Families?

Tampa is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Tampa is a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has a number of kid-oriented attractions including Busch Gardens Amusement Park, several kid-friendly museums, and a number of animal centers, aquariums, and wildlife rescue facilities.

Savannah is a family-friendly city. There's a children's museum in town. There's also many outdoor parks and the Savannah National Wildlife Refuge. Kids will enjoy stopping for ice cream or other sweet treats, which are plentiful as well.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Couples?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for couples. However, Tampa is lacking in options for romance.

Savannah makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Trees with Spanish Moss as well as a charming Historic District make this a nice destination for a couple's weekend. There are parks where you can enjoy a picnic. There are also nature trails and many great southern restaurants.

Tampa is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The area does have great restaurants and some fun places to explore, but the downtown area has room for improvement and much of the city is suburban.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Savannah. There's a hostel in town, as well as a number of cheaper motels that are a bit outside of the Historic District.

Tampa is not a backpacker-friendly destination.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Students?

Savannah is a popular place for its student-friendly activities. However, Tampa is not popular with students.

Plenty of students visit Savannah. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Tampa is not popular with students.

Is Tampa or Savannah Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Savannah is a decent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit is mostly limited in Savannah. While there are some types of public transit available, the vast majority of visitors have a vehicle, which they use to get around.

Public transit is limited or non-existant in Tampa. There is the street car that runs from downtown Tampa to Ybor City and stops at 11 stations.

Is Tampa or Savannah a more walkable city?

Savannah is an excellent place to visit for its ease of walking around. However, Tampa is lacking in options for its walkability.

Savannah is a very walkable destination. The Historic District is very walkable, and it makes a pleasant place to explore on foot.

Tampa is generally not very walkable. While there are some neighborhoods that are considered walkable, you really need a car if you hope to explore Tampa in depth.

For even more information, also check out Is Tampa Worth Visiting? and Is Savannah Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Savannah or Tampa?

How long in Tampa or Savannah?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Tampa and Savannah. In our opinion, Savannah has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Savannah than Tampa. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Tampa, and 1-3 days is enough time in Savannah.

Families should spend more time in Tampa than Savannah. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Tampa, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Tampa. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Savannah that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than Tampa if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Savannah.

One day in Tampa or Savannah?

The city of Tampa offers food. Most people come for the beaches. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

In Savannah, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tampa or Savannah?

Tampa is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this city makes for a great vacation. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Tampa, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Savannah. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tampa or Savannah?

Tampa is a popular choice for travelers. Five days is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Savannah is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the museums and food when visiting the destination of Savannah. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tampa or Savannah?

Tampa is a great place to explore. It's also a great beach destination, too. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This city offers something for everyone.

You'll find food and shopping around the historic destination of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America, The Best Wildlife Tours to United States of America, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Tampa and Savannah, we can see that Tampa 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 North America, 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 Tampa Expensive? and Is Savannah Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampa or Savannah?

Tampa has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Savannah. When comparing the sizes of Tampa and Savannah, 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 Tampa or Savannah?

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 Tampa or Savannah in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampa as well as Savannah. The summer months attract visitors to Tampa because of the beaches, snorkeling, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Savannah this time of year.

In the summer, Tampa is around the same temperature as Savannah. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampa in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Savannah averages at about 82°F (28°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampa this time of the year. In the summer, Tampa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah. Tampa gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 267 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Savannah. Tampa receives a lot of rain in the summer. Tampa usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Savannah. Tampa gets 8.4 inches (214 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Savannah in the Autumn?

Both Savannah and Tampa are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions are the main draw to Tampa this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Savannah for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tampa is generally a little warmer than Savannah. Daily temperatures in Tampa average around 75°F (24°C), and Savannah fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

It's quite sunny in Savannah. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Tampa. Tampa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah during autumn. Tampa gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampa usually receives less rain than Savannah. Tampa gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampa or Savannah in the Winter?

Both Savannah and Tampa during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Tampa for the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Savannah in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Tampa is much warmer than Savannah in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampa averages around 60°F (15°C) in January, and Savannah fluctuates around 49°F (9°C).

It's quite sunny in Tampa. In the winter, Tampa often gets more sunshine than Savannah. Tampa gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 176 hours of full sun.

Tampa usually gets less rain in January than Savannah. Tampa gets 2.3 inches (59 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampa or Savannah in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampa and Savannah. Many visitors come to Tampa in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months.

In the spring, Tampa is a little warmer than Savannah. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampa in April average around 71°F (22°C), and Savannah averages at about 66°F (19°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In Tampa, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tampa usually receives more sunshine than Savannah during spring. Tampa gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampa usually receives less rain than Savannah. Tampa gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Savannah and Tampa