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

Should you visit Savannah or Williamsburg?

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

Should I visit Savannah or Williamsburg? 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 charming, scenic, and historic city. Savannah offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include food, beaches, and shopping. See Savannah travel costs.

Williamsburg

Williamsburg is a historic, charming, and quaint town. Williamsburg is a gorgeous place to visit. It's also known for food, shopping, and museums. See Williamsburg travel costs.

Savannah and Williamsburg: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Savannah or Williamsburg?

Visitors will usually find more to do in Savannah than Williamsburg, as it offers more sights, attractions, and activities. Savannah is better known for its nightlife and beaches, while Williamsburg is more popular for its historical sights. Williamsburg is more touristy than Savannah and is known for its historic and colonial charm, its award winning amusement parks, and its historical reenactments. Savannah is well known for its maritime past, its southern atmosphere, and its Historic District. Also, Savannah is famous for Forsyth Park.

How is Savannah different from Williamsburg?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

Both Savannah and Williamsburg have superb landmarks and museums for visitors.

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.

Many visitors head to Williamsburg specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Colonial Williamsburg is like a living museum with reenactments and historic buildings that date back to the colonial days. In addition to the historic area, there are folk art museums and other historic sights in the area.

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Savannah and Williamsburg can be difficult as they are each superb in their own way.

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Savannah makes for a great culinary experience. 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.

Williamsburg has a huge number of terrific restaurants. Head to Historic Williamsburg if you want to try some colonial classics. There are historic taverns that maintain their old world charm and serve dishes such as peanut soup and stewed beef. Around town you'll also find casual restaurants with pizza, macaroni and cheese, and burgers.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg Better for Nightlife?

Savannah is a great destination for its evening party scene. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for nightlife.

The people in Savannah know how to have a good time. 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.

Williamsburg doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. Despite its student population, there isn't much of a nightlife scene in town. There are restaurants where you can enjoy fine wine or cocktails, but nightclubs and bars are limited.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg Better for Beaches?

Savannah is a good destination for the beach. However, Williamsburg 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.

Williamsburg is not a beach destination.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg Better for its Old Town?

Williamsburg is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town. Also, Savannah is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its old town.

Williamsburg offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Colonial Williamsburg is an impressively maintained area with museums, shops, and taverns. There are live reenactments of historic events as well as blacksmiths, wig shops, and carriage rides. You can wander around without a ticket, but for access to many parts of the historic area you'll need to purchase a pass.

There is a nice variety of sights 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Savannah or Williamsburg?

Both Savannah and Williamsburg are superb shopping destinations.

Savannah is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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.

Williamsburg is well-known for its shopping. Charming shops both in the historic area and just outside sell unique items that reflect the city's past. There are souvenirs, food items, cookbooks, and home decor to choose from.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg More Beautiful?

Savannah and Williamsburg both are comparable with their notable 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.

Williamsburg is a beautiful place to visit, too. The area's colonial architecture gives it a historic and traditional beauty that appeals to visitors and residents alike.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg Better for Families?

Williamsburg is an amazing town 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, Williamsburg is a very family-friendly destination. Older kids will appreciate the history in the area. For kids of all ages there are a number of amusement parks and water parks such as Great Wolf Lodge, Busch Gardens, and the award winning Water Country USA.

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 Savannah or Williamsburg Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Savannah and Williamsburg make for a superb place to visit.

Savannah is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Williamsburg makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Historic Williamsburg is filled with inns and charming restaurants that make this a beautiful destination for couples. There are quaint restaurants that serve colonial food and interesting southern shops with unique trinkets. You can also wander around the campus of William and Mary College.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Savannah is a good destination for backpackers. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal options for backpackers and budget travelers.

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.

Williamsburg is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There's a number of restaurants and bars that cater to the student population, but there's little else that attracts backpackers.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg Better for Students?

Williamsburg is an amazing 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 Williamsburg. The College of William and Mary has a beautiful campus and students enjoy the charming atmosphere with colonial architecture around town. There are also good restaurants and a great collegiate vibe.

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

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

Both Savannah and Williamsburg offer respectable 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 Williamsburg. There are buses around town, and they offer access to Historic Williamsburg, but for most places you'll need to have your own car.

Is Savannah or Williamsburg a more walkable city?

Savannah is a great destination for its ease of walking around. However, Williamsburg is a town with minimal 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.

Williamsburg is generally not a very walkable city. Historic Williamsburg and the neighborhoods around the College of William and Mary are all walkable, but if you plan to visit the amusement parks then you'll absolutely need a car.

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

Should I spend more time in Williamsburg or Savannah?

How long in Savannah or Williamsburg?

It's fun to spend time in either Savannah or Williamsburg. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Williamsburg due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-3 days is a good amount of time for Savannah, and 2-4 days is enough time in Williamsburg.

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

Couples should spend more time in Savannah than Williamsburg. 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

In Savannah, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this charming city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. In one day, you should have a good grasp of this city.

The town of Williamsburg offers food and shopping. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. 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 Williamsburg?

Savannah is a fun place to experience. Visiting the old town is also a must. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Williamsburg is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this town 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 Williamsburg, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Savannah or Williamsburg?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the charming destination of Savannah. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg?

Savannah is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Savannah or Williamsburg?

Savannah has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Williamsburg. When comparing the sizes of Savannah and Williamsburg, 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 Williamsburg?

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 Savannah or Williamsburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Savannah and Williamsburg. Most visitors come to Savannah for the beaches and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Williamsburg because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Savannah is generally around the same temperature as Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 82°F (28°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 78°F (26°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg during summer. Savannah gets 267 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 279 hours of full sun in the summer.

Williamsburg receives a lot of rain in the summer. Savannah gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In July, Savannah usually receives more rain than Williamsburg. Savannah gets 7.9 inches (200 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Savannah or Williamsburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Savannah as well as Williamsburg. The autumn months attract visitors to Savannah because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Williamsburg this time of year.

Savannah is a little warmer than Williamsburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Savannah averages around 68°F (20°C) in October, and Williamsburg fluctuates around 61°F (16°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Williamsburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Savannah this time of the year. In the autumn, Savannah often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg. Savannah gets 223 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 211 hours of full sun.

Savannah usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Williamsburg. Savannah gets 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 2.8 inches (71 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Savannah or Williamsburg in the Winter?

Both Williamsburg and Savannah are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Savannah this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Williamsburg for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Williamsburg. In the winter, Savannah is much warmer than Williamsburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Savannah in January average around 49°F (9°C), and Williamsburg averages at about 38°F (4°C).

Savannah usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Williamsburg during winter. Savannah gets 176 hours of sunny skies, while Williamsburg receives 168 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Savannah usually receives less rain than Williamsburg. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3.6 inches (93 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Savannah or Williamsburg in the Spring?

Both Williamsburg and Savannah during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Savannah for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Williamsburg in the spring for the natural beauty.

In April, Savannah is generally a little warmer than Williamsburg. Daily temperatures in Savannah average around 66°F (19°C), and Williamsburg fluctuates around 57°F (14°C).

In Williamsburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Savannah. In the spring, Savannah often gets more sunshine than Williamsburg. Savannah gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Williamsburg receives 253 hours of full sun.

Savannah usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Williamsburg. Savannah gets 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain, while Williamsburg receives 3 inches (76 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Williamsburg and Savannah