Which place is cheaper, Helsinki or Arusha?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Arusha or Helsinki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Arusha and Helsinki can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Arusha or Helsinki?
Arusha
Arusha is a city in East Africa's Tanzania, located at the base of volcanic Mt. Meru. It’s a gateway to safari destinations and to Africa’s highest peak, Mt. Kilimanjaro, lying some 100 kilometers northeast. To the west lies Serengeti National Park, home to wildlife including lions, rhinoceros, giraffes and leopards. Annual migrations feature huge herds of wildebeests crossing its plains. Arusha is Tanzania’s gateway to the northern circuit of stellar national parks and the starting point of many a memorable safari. It’s also a large, sprawling city which offers a nice break from the rigors of life on the African road – it has excellent places to stay and eat and, for the most part, it’s lush and green and enjoys a temperate climate throughout the year. Arusha is a great destination, and you're sure to enjoy your time here, no matter what your interests are.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best G Adventures Tours to Tanzania, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Tanzania, The Best 10-Day Tours in Finland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland.
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Arusha Prices
Tanzania PricesHelsinki Prices
Finland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayArusha $189Helsinki $191
The average daily cost (per person) in Arusha is $189, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is $191. 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 Arusha and Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personArusha $126Helsinki $85
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomArusha $252Helsinki $170
Compare Hotels in Arusha and Helsinki
Looking for a hotel in Arusha or Helsinki? 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.
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: Arusha Hotel Prices and Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Arusha $13Helsinki $26
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Arusha
Also for Arusha, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Arusha to Jomo Kenyatta Airport (NBO): $294
- Moshi - Arusha Transfer: $130
- Kilimanjaro/Arusha Airport Transfers with Private Day Tours: $60
- Kilimanjaro International Airport to Arusha City Center Transfer: $60
- Kilimanjaro Airport to Arusha City Private Transfer: $120
- Kilimanjaro Airport and Arusha Private Transfer: $59
- Arusha Airport and Hotel Transfer: $35
- Arusha Airport & Hotel Transfers: $40
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $157
- VIP Airport Transfer in Helsinki: $153
- The Executive Helsinki Transfer*****: $266
- Private VIP Transfer from or to Helsinki Airport: $79
- Private Transfer: Helsinki to Cruise Port by Business Car: $99
- Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port by Luxury Van: $101
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki by Business Car: $99
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Kotka Port: $167
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $69
- Private Transfer from Airport in Helsinki and Vice versa: $148
- Private Airport Transfer by VIP car in Helsinki region: $159
- Nordic Luxe: Private VIP Transfer Helsinki: $266
Is it cheaper to fly into Arusha or Helsinki?
Prices for flights to both Helsinki and Arusha 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
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Food Meals for one dayArusha $40Helsinki $69
Typical Food Prices in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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A Quick Lunch (for 2)$2.09
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Arusha
For Arusha, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- NGO Lifted Strong - Traditional Tanzanian Cooking Class: $50
- Local Tanzanian Food Cooking Class by Kingstone Asilia (Arusha): $55
- Homestay + Cooking + Animal Care + Fruit Harvesting + Much More: $197
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Helsinki Authentic Walking Food Tour with 8 Local Tastings: $121
- From Moose & Wildlife Safari with Campfire Dinner: $172
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $176
- Stones & Slices: Raasepori Castle Ruins, Ekenäs Old Town & Pizza: $236
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $271
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Arusha $44Helsinki $32
Tours and Activities in Arusha
For Arusha, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1 Day trip to Materuni Waterfalls & Coffee Tour: $127
- 1 day trip Materuni Waterfall, Village & Coffee Walking Tour: $127
- 1-Day Materuni Waterfalls, Coffee Tour and Chemka Hot Spring: $100
- 1-Day Trip Tarangire N.P Small group Tour Tanzania sharing Safari: $270
- 8-Hour Lake Chala Guided Tour from Moshi or Arusha: $260
- A Day at Materuni Waterfalls and Coffee Tour in Mt Kilimanjaro: $160
- Amazing Lake Duluti Day Trip Experience: $70
- Arusha African Shopping Tour: $100
- Arusha Bike Town Tour Experience: $55
- Arusha City Culture and Historical Walking Tour: $40
- Arusha City town tour: $101
- Arusha Full Day Tour to Waterfall and Coffee Tour: $140
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $106
- 4 Hour Helsinki Tour from Cruise Port: $95
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- A Self-Guided Tour of Helsinki's Oodi Central Library: $9.99
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $12
- A Walking Tour Through WWI Land Fortifications: $296
- Adventure Day: $47
- All Inclusive Luxury Day Cruise Helsinki to Tallinn Self Guided: $260
- Authentic Finnish Tours: $189
- Baltic Bites - Food & Island Experience in Helsinki: $117
- Best Helsinki Half Day Tour from Your Cruise Ship: $53
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $43
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayArusha $10Helsinki $18
When comparing the travel costs between Arusha and Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki 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. Even though Arusha is in Africa and Helsinki is in Europe, both of these destinations have relatively similar prices of travel. Generally, the levels of luxury and expenses are the same for these cities even though they are geographically far apart.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Arusha Expensive? and Is Helsinki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Arusha or Helsinki?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Arusha. When comparing the sizes of Arusha and Helsinki, 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.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.