Should you visit Helsinki or Alesund?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Helsinki and Alesund can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
Which city is cheaper, Alesund or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €112, while the average daily cost in Alesund is €88. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Helsinki and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around €118 for a double occupancy room in Helsinki If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €47. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Alesund the cost is €94 on average.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Helsinki than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €18 on transportation in Helsinki on average per day.
The cost of a taxi ride in Alesund is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €23 per person, per day, on local transportation in Alesund.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Ultra - Helsinki Private Transfer from City Centre to Helsinki Cruise Port:
$8.71
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Ultra - Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Port to City Centre:
$8.71
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Private Airport Transfer: from Helsinki to Helsinki-Vantaa Airport (HEL):
$33
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Private Departure Transfer from Helsinki City Center to Helsinki Airport (HEL):
$34
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From Tallinn: Return Day Trip Ferry Transfer to Helsinki:
$36
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Private Departure Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Vantaa Airport:
$40
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Airport transfer in Helsinki:
$50
-
Best Transfer Helsinki:
$50
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VIP Transfer Helsinki Airport:
$53
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VIP car Airport Transfer Helsinki:
$56
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Private Chauffeur Transfer Helsinki:
$56
-
Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Helsinki Port to Helsinki City:
$62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
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Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund city centre to Aalesund airport:
$154
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Helsinki 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
The average traveler spends about €27 per day in Helsinki for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
The average traveler spends about €27 per day in Alesund for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Helsinki €27
Alesund €27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings:
$137
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Helsinki, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €22 per day, per person.
Entertainment and activities in Alesund typically cost an average of €14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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Skip the Line: Flying Cinema Tour Of Helsinki Experience, single ticket:
$15
-
Skip the Line: SEA LIFE Helsinki Entrance Ticket:
$19
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Helsinki Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$20
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Sea Life Entrance Tickets:
$22
-
Highlights & Hidden Gems Self-Guided Walking Tour:
$25
-
Sightseeing Boat Tour in Archipelago of Helsinki:
$27
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City Highlights 1.5-Hour Archipelago Cruise:
$28
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90-minute Helsinki Boat Sightseeing on Beautiful Canal Route:
$28
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Helsinki Archipelago: Sightseeing Boat Tour:
$28
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Private Tour with a Local Guide:
$33
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Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour Valid for 24 Hours:
$34
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$37
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
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Adventure on a B bird island – private Bird watching tour including lunch:
$1,334
-
Alesund Architecture-Themed Kayak Tour:
$86
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Alesund Private tour Medieval Village Sunnmore, 3 hours:
$495
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Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour:
$106
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Alesund Sightseeing for Hurtigruten passengers:
$311
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Alesund Sightseeing tour Vikings islands by minibus, 4 hours. Private tour:
$1,180
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An amazing walking tour of Art Nouveau town Alesund:
$800
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Chase a troll on a private tour through the picturesque fjord towns:
$2,267
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City Sightseeing Alesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$41
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Cruise Special: Geiranger to Bergen, The Scenic Mountain route:
$844
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E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund:
$146
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Fjordcruise Ålesund Geirangerfjord Ålesund "3fjords3hours":
$165
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Helsinki spend on average €13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €11 on alcoholic beverages in Alesund per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Alesund, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Alesund much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alesund would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alesund 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 Helsinki would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Helsinki than you might in Alesund.
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