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

Should you visit Vilnius or Savonlinna?

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

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Vilnius and Savonlinna. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Where Should I go: Vilnius or Savonlinna?

Vilnius

Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.

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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.


Which place is cheaper, Savonlinna or Vilnius?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Vilnius is €94, while the average daily cost in Savonlinna is €104. 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 Vilnius and Savonlinna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Vilnius 42
    Savonlinna 53
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Vilnius 84
    Savonlinna 106
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Savonlinna

Looking for a hotel in Vilnius or Savonlinna? 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 Vilnius


Hotels in Savonlinna


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: Vilnius Hotel Prices and Savonlinna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Vilnius 8.30
    Savonlinna 39

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:

  • Airport Bus Transfer to/from Central Bus Station: $3.20
  • Riga: Bus Transfer to/from Vilnius: $20
  • Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Riga: $23
  • Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer: $27
  • Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Warsaw: $35
  • Arrival Transfer from Vilnius VNO Airport to Vilnius by Minivan: $45
  • Vilnius Airport Transfer: $51
  • Vilnius Airport (VNO): Bus Transfer to/from Gdansk: $51
  • Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $53
  • Private Transfer from Vilnius Airport to Lithuania: $141
  • Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $213
  • Hot Air Balloon Ride with Hotel Transfer: $213

Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Savonlinna?

Prices for flights to both Savonlinna and Vilnius 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
    Vilnius 40
    Savonlinna 27
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius

Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:


  • Dinner for Two
    13

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius

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

  • Dinner in local family: $74
  • Flavors of Vilnius - Private Walking Food Tour: $190

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Vilnius 9.72
    Savonlinna 20
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:


  • Walking Tour
    5.79

Tours and Activities in Vilnius

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

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.20
  • Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.39
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.39
  • Vilnius Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.50
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • Skip the Line: Europos Parkas, Open-Air Museum Ticket Vilnius, Lithuania: $12
  • Vibrant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
  • Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $18
  • Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $18
  • Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $18
  • Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $18

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Vilnius 6.38
    Savonlinna 9.27
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius

Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:


  • Beer
    4.34

Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius

Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Beer degustation at Bear & Boar Brewery Taproom: $43
  • Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $46


When comparing the travel costs between Vilnius and Savonlinna, we can see that Savonlinna 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 Vilnius Expensive? and Is Savonlinna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Savonlinna?

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

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 Vilnius or Savonlinna in the Summer?

Both Savonlinna and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year.

In the summer, Vilnius is around the same temperature as Savonlinna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vilnius in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 17°C (62°F).

It's quite sunny in Savonlinna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Savonlinna during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Savonlinna receives 259 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Savonlinna. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Vilnius 18°C (65°F) 
    Savonlinna 17°C (62°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Savonlinna in the Autumn?

Both Savonlinna and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Savonlinna can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Vilnius is generally much warmer than Savonlinna. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 8°C (46°F), and Savonlinna fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In the autumn, Vilnius often gets more sunshine than Savonlinna. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savonlinna receives 72 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets less rain in October than Savonlinna. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Vilnius 8°C (46°F) 
    Savonlinna 4°C (40°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Savonlinna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Savonlinna. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Savonlinna can be very cold during winter. Vilnius can get quite cold in the winter. Vilnius is much warmer than Savonlinna in the winter. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Savonlinna fluctuates around -11°C (13°F).

Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savonlinna during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Savonlinna receives 34 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of rain as Savonlinna. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Vilnius -5°C (23°F) 
    Savonlinna -11°C (13°F)

Should I visit Vilnius or Savonlinna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Savonlinna. Most visitors come to Vilnius for the natural beauty during these months.

The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In the spring, Vilnius is much warmer than Savonlinna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vilnius in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Savonlinna averages at about 2°C (36°F).

In the spring, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Savonlinna. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savonlinna receives 180 hours of full sun.

Vilnius usually gets more rain in April than Savonlinna. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Savonlinna receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Vilnius 7°C (45°F) 
    Savonlinna 2°C (36°F)

Typical Weather for Savonlinna and Vilnius

Vilnius Savonlinna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (23°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) -11°C (13°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb -4°C (26°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -9°C (15°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar 1°C (33°F) 39 mm (1.5 in) -4°C (24°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 7°C (45°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
May 14°C (57°F) 62 mm (2.4 in) 9°C (48°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 17°C (63°F) 77 mm (3 in) 14°C (57°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 18°C (65°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 17°C (62°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Aug 18°C (64°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 15°C (59°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 13°C (56°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (49°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)
Oct 8°C (46°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 4°C (40°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 2°C (36°F) 57 mm (2.2 in) -1°C (30°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Dec -2°C (29°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) -7°C (20°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)