A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Sarasota vs. Savannah for Families, Attractions, Food, and Nightlife

Should you visit Sarasota or Savannah?

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 Sarasota and Savannah. 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.

Sarasota

Sarasota is a underrated, relaxing, and entertaining city. It's also known for beaches, shopping, and museums. See Sarasota travel costs.

Savannah

Savannah is a scenic, historic, and beautiful city. Savannah is a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the food, beaches, and shopping. See Savannah travel costs.

Sarasota and Savannah: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Sarasota or Savannah?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Savannah than Sarasota. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Savannah is very popular for its food, nightlife, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Sarasota attracts visitors for its resorts. Sarasota is more touristy than Savannah and is popular for its sandy beaches and its fun activities. Savannah is famous for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. It is also well known for Forsyth Park.

How is Sarasota different from Savannah?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Visiting museums and landmarks is a fun activity in both Sarasota and Savannah.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Sarasota. There are some decent museums in town such as the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the Sarasota Classic Car Museum, and the Ca' da'Zan. Another highlight is the Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium.

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.

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

Savannah is great for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

Savannah has a huge number of terrific 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Sarasota area. You'll find plenty of seafood around town, but there are also international restaurants and quirky local joints.

Is Sarasota or Savannah Better for Nightlife?

Savannah is great for nightlife and partying. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.

Many people head to Savannah for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Sarasota. You'll find beach clubs, live entertainment such as drum circles, and plenty of bars around town. There are also evening cruises and late night parties.

Is Sarasota or Savannah Better for Resorts?

Sarasota is a popular place for its resorts. However, Savannah is not a resort destination.

Sarasota has a handful of resorts to choose from. You'll find beachfront resorts with pools and nice views.

Savannah is not a resort destination.

Is Sarasota or Savannah Better for Beaches?

Sarasota and Savannah both offer nice beaches.

Sarasota offers a nice beach destination. There's no shortage of beaches in the area where you can spend a relaxing day playing the water and lounging in the sun. Siesta Key, Sarasota Gay Beach, Crescent Beach, and Coquina Beach are some of the favorites.

Savannah is a good option for a beach vacation. 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 Sarasota or Savannah Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is great for its old town. However, Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Sarasota does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Sarasota or Savannah?

Savannah is great for its shopping opportunities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.

Savannah is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Many visitors go to Sarasota to go shopping. Upscale shopping can be found at St. Armand's Circle. There's also Sarasota Square Mall and the Mall at University Town Center. If you want to pick up some local items you can check out Sarasota Farmers Market.

Is Sarasota or Savannah More Beautiful?

Savannah is a good destination for its scenery and beauty. However, Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Savannah is a beautiful place to visit, too. The city is filled with historic buildings and streets lined with trees draped in Spanish Moss.

Sarasota is not a destination known for its beauty.

Is Sarasota or Savannah Better for Families?

Sarasota is an amazing city to visit for its family-friendly activities. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

As it has a large number of activities for kids, Sarasota is a very family-friendly destination. There's a huge number of hands on activities for kids and families in the area. Many families enjoy a visit to Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. There are also botanical gardens, science museums, and outdoor adventure centers. Animal lovers will appreciate a visit to Big Cat Habitat and Gulf Coast Sanctuary. The city also has many performing arts and entertainment options for kids. And make sure you check out the museum dedicated to the Ringling Brothers Circus.

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 Sarasota or Savannah Better for Couples?

Savannah is great for its romantic activities. Also, Sarasota is not as popular, but is still a nice city for couples.

Savannah is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Sarasota is a good city for couples to visit. A night out at St. Armands Circle is a fun way to spend the evening. There are also sunset cruises, nice restaurants, comedy clubs, and more.

Is Sarasota or Savannah Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a good destination for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers 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.

Sarasota is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are budget friendly places to stay, but there isn't a large backpacker or young crowd hanging around.

Is Sarasota or Savannah Better for Students?

Savannah is a good destination for its student-friendly activities. However, Sarasota is not popular with students.

It's common for students to visit Savannah. There are a couple of colleges in town including the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Sarasota is not popular with students.

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

Sarasota and Savannah both offer reasonable public transit to get you around.

Public transit is mostly limited in Sarasota. There's a bus system around town but most visitors depend on their own car for transportation.

Public transit is generally 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.

Is Sarasota or Savannah a more walkable city?

Savannah is great for its high level of walkability. However, Sarasota is not a good destination for its ease of walking around.

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

Sarasota is generally not very walkable. While the downtown has some walkable parts, you'll need a car to access most things around town.

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

Should I spend more time in Savannah or Sarasota?

How long in Sarasota or Savannah?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Sarasota and Savannah. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Sarasota than in Savannah. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Sarasota, and 1-3 days is enough time in Savannah.

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

Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Sarasota. 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 Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Savannah?

The city of Sarasota offers food and shopping. 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.

The city of Savannah offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Sarasota or Savannah?

Sarasota 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sarasota, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Savannah 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Savannah, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Sarasota or Savannah?

Sarasota is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Sarasota, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Savannah 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.

A week in Sarasota or Savannah?

Sarasota is a great place to explore. 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.

Savannah is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to United States of America, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Sarasota and Savannah, we can see that Sarasota is more expensive. And not only is Savannah much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savannah would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savannah 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 Sarasota would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Sarasota than you might in Savannah.

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

Which is Bigger, Sarasota or Savannah?

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

Both Savannah and Sarasota during the summer are popular places to visit. The beaches and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sarasota this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Savannah for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Sarasota is generally around the same temperature as Savannah. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 82°F (28°C), and Savannah fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

In Savannah, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Sarasota. In the summer, Sarasota often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah. Sarasota gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 267 hours of full sun.

Savannah gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Savannah. Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Savannah in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Sarasota and Savannah. Many travelers come to Sarasota for the shopping scene. Furthermore, many visitors come to Savannah in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

Sarasota is a little warmer than Savannah in the autumn. The daily temperature in Sarasota averages around 76°F (24°C) in October, and Savannah fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In Sarasota, it's very sunny this time of the year. Sarasota usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Savannah during autumn. Sarasota gets 234 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 223 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Savannah. Sarasota gets 2.6 inches (65 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain each month for the autumn. The hurricane season in Sarasota is June to November.

Should I visit Sarasota or Savannah in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Sarasota as well as Savannah. Many visitors come to Sarasota in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Savannah for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In the winter, Sarasota is much warmer than Savannah. Typically, the winter temperatures in Sarasota in January average around 59°F (15°C), and Savannah averages at about 49°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sarasota this time of the year. In the winter, Sarasota often gets more sunshine than Savannah. Sarasota gets 200 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Savannah receives 176 hours of full sun.

Sarasota usually gets less rain in January than Savannah. Sarasota 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 Sarasota or Savannah in the Spring?

Both Savannah and Sarasota are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Sarasota for the beaches during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Savannah because of the beaches and the natural beauty.

In April, Sarasota is generally a little warmer than Savannah. Daily temperatures in Sarasota average around 73°F (23°C), and Savannah fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

It's quite sunny in Savannah. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Sarasota. Sarasota usually receives more sunshine than Savannah during spring. Sarasota gets 299 hours of sunny skies, while Savannah receives 275 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Sarasota usually receives less rain than Savannah. Sarasota gets 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain, while Savannah receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain each month for the spring. June to November is the hurricane season in Sarasota.

Typical Weather for Savannah and Sarasota