A Travel Price Comparison for United States of America Savannah vs. Charlottesville for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Old Town

Should you visit Savannah or Charlottesville?

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

Should I visit Savannah or Charlottesville? 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.

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.

Charlottesville

Charlottesville is a southern, proud, and traditional university town. This is a great small town that is just waiting to be explored. Charlottesville is a gorgeous place to visit. It also has that perfectly quaint feel that is like no other place. It's also known for nightlife, hiking, and museums. See Charlottesville travel costs.

Savannah and Charlottesville: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Savannah or Charlottesville?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Savannah. Although Savannah and Charlottesville are popular destinations, Savannah has more sights and attractions for tourists. Savannah is very popular for its museums and attractions, food, nightlife, beaches, historical sights, and shopping, while Charlottesville attracts visitors for its hiking, small town charm, and quaint atmosphere. Savannah is more touristy than Charlottesville and is popular for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. It is also well known for Forsyth Park. Charlottesville is famous for being home to the University of Virginia, Thomas Jefferson's Monticello, and serving as a gateway to Shenandoah National Park.

How is Savannah different from Charlottesville?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Savannah is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its sights and museums.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around Savannah. 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.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Charlottesville. A highlight of a trip to the area is a visit to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello. The city is also famously home to the beautiful University of Virginia, which has a manicured and beautiful campus. History buffs will also appreciate visiting the Civil War Sites that are nearby as well.

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

Savannah is a great city for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Charlottesville is not known 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.

Charlottesville may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. Head to the Historic Downtown Mall to enjoy an outdoor meal at a top rated restaurant. There are also restaurants that cater specifically to students and offer affordable and quick meals.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Nightlife?

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

The nightlife in Savannah has something for everybody. 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 Charlottesville. Charlottesville is a university town with an active nightlife. The best areas for nightlife are found around the Downtown Mall, Belmont neighborhood, the Corner, and University Ave west near the mall. Even though there are a number of activities to enjoy at night, this is still a small town and the nightlife scene reflects that.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Beaches?

Savannah is a good destination for the beach. However, Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Savannah offers a nice beach destination. 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.

Charlottesville is not a beach destination.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for its Old Town?

Savannah is a great city for its old town. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town for its historic old town charm.

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.

Charlottesville offers a nice historic old town area. The Historic Downtown Mall is filled with restaurants and shops. It's a pedestrian only area with a lot of character and energy.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Hiking?

Charlottesville is a popular place for the nearby hiking options. However, Savannah is not a hiking destination.

Charlottesville is a good destination for hiking. Just outside of town there are plenty of hiking opportunities including in and around Shenandoah National Park. Hiking is at its best during the fall season when the leaves are changing.

Savannah is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Savannah or Charlottesville?

Savannah is a great city for its shopping opportunities. However, Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

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.

Charlottesville is not a noteworthy shopping destination.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville More Beautiful?

Savannah and Charlottesville both are comparable with their nice scenery and beauty.

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

Charlottesville is a beautiful place to visit, too. Surrounded by the Shenandoah Mountains, this is a beautiful town and home to the beautiful University of Virginia.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Savannah or Charlottesville.

Savannah is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Charlottesville is a family-friendly city. Wandering the campus of UVA, picking fruit at Carter Mountain Orchard or exploring the downtown mall, including the Virginia Discovery Museum are all activities that everyone can enjoy. There are also great hiking trails just outside of town.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Couples?

Savannah is a great city for its romantic activities. Also, Charlottesville is not as popular, but is still a nice university town 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.

Charlottesville is a good city for couples to visit. The UVA campus is beautiful to explore, as is Monticello. The Downtown Mall has many great restaurants and activities that make for a nice date night and during the day, there's also beautiful hikes nearby that are at their peak during the fall season.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Charlottesville is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is camping an hiking in the area that is a good option for backpackers.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville Better for Students?

Charlottesville is an amazing university town to visit for students. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students frequent Charlottesville. The town is home to the beautiful University of Virginia and it's a popular destination for international students as well as local students. Much of the town is focused around student life, and the city's proximity to Washington, DC means it has access to global opportunities.

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

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

Both Savannah and Charlottesville offer reasonable public transit options.

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.

Public transit is mostly limited in Charlottesville. There is a bus system that runs between campus, downtown, and several neighborhoods in Charlottesville.

Is Savannah or Charlottesville a more walkable city?

Savannah is a great city for its high level of walkability. However, Charlottesville is not known 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.

Charlottesville is generally not very walkable. While the University of Virginia campus and the Downtown Mall are both very walkable, most of the town is not.

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

Should I spend more time in Charlottesville or Savannah?

How long in Savannah or Charlottesville?

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

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Savannah than Charlottesville 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 Savannah or Charlottesville?

The charming destination of Savannah offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

Charlottesville is a small town where visitors enjoy the museums and nightlife. 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.

A weekend in Savannah or Charlottesville?

The city of Savannah offers food and shopping. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Charlottesville is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this university town makes for a great vacation. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Charlottesville, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Savannah or Charlottesville?

Savannah is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. This city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

Charlottesville 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 Savannah or Charlottesville?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Charlottesville 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 university town offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Las Vegas, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Anchorage, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from New York City.

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

Which is Bigger, Savannah or Charlottesville?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Charlottesville. When comparing the sizes of Savannah and Charlottesville, 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 Savannah or Charlottesville?

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 Savannah or Charlottesville in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Savannah as well as Charlottesville. Most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Charlottesville because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Savannah is around the same temperature as Charlottesville. Typically, the summer temperatures in Savannah in July average around 82°F (28°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 78°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Charlottesville. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In the summer, Savannah often gets less sunshine than Charlottesville. Savannah gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 305 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Charlottesville. Savannah receives a lot of rain in the summer. Savannah usually gets more rain in July than Charlottesville. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 5 inches (128 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or Charlottesville in the Autumn?

Both Charlottesville and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Savannah because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the hiking trails, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Charlottesville this time of year.

In October, Savannah is generally a little warmer than Charlottesville. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 68°F (20°C), and Charlottesville fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

It's quite sunny in Charlottesville. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savannah. Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during autumn. Savannah gets 223 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 221 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Savannah usually receives less rain than Charlottesville. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.5 inches (90 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Savannah or Charlottesville in the Winter?

Both Charlottesville and Savannah during the winter are popular places to visit. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Savannah this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Charlottesville for the museums, the Christmas ambience, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Charlottesville. Savannah is much warmer than Charlottesville in the winter. The daily temperature in Savannah averages around 49°F (9°C) in January, and Charlottesville fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

In the winter, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville. Savannah gets 176 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Charlottesville receives 169 hours of full sun.

Savannah usually gets less rain in January than Charlottesville. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3.2 inches (83 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or Charlottesville in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and Charlottesville. Many travelers come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Charlottesville in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Savannah is a little warmer than Charlottesville. Typically, the spring temperatures in Savannah in April average around 66°F (19°C), and Charlottesville averages at about 58°F (14°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Charlottesville this time of the year. In Savannah, it's very sunny this time of the year. Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Charlottesville during spring. Savannah gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Charlottesville receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Savannah usually receives around the same amount of rain as Charlottesville. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Charlottesville receives 3 inches (75 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Charlottesville and Savannah