A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Anchorage for Attractions, Families, Couples, and Food

Should you visit Helsinki or Anchorage?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Helsinki and Anchorage 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.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a nature-focused, coastal, and environmentally conscious city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Anchorage

Anchorage is a artsy, nature-oriented, and outdoorsy city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the hiking, shopping, and museums.

Helsinki and Anchorage: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Anchorage?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Anchorage than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Anchorage, Anchorage has more sights and attractions for tourists. Anchorage is very popular for its hiking, while Helsinki attracts visitors for its museums, nightlife, and shopping. Anchorage is more touristy than Helsinki and is popular for its breathtaking natural beauty, impressive wildlife, stunning hiking trails, and unique local culture. It is also well known for Chugach State Park. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Anchorage?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Helsinki or Anchorage?

Helsinki is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into Helsinki. Many of the city's sights and attractions center around nature and the water. Major hightlights of the city include the Fortress of Sveaborg, Seurasaari open-Air Museum, and Temppeliaukio Rock Church. The city is also home to The National Museum of Finland.

Anchorage offers a variety of museums and landmarks to choose from. While most people visit for the outdoor experiences, there are a few museums where you can learn about the local culture and wildlife. Popular museums include the the Alaska Native Heritage Center, the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center, the Alaska Aviation Museum, and the Alaska Museum of Science and Nature.

Is the Food Better in Helsinki or Anchorage? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Anchorage both to be nice destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. Food in town is all about local flavors and simple ingredients. The dishes let the flavor speak for itself without fancy cooking techniques or complex flavor combinations. Many of the restaurants are locally sourced with traditional ingredients. You'll find a lot of seafood, herring, grilled sausages, pancakes, and desserts.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Anchorage area. Food is expensive in town, but there are some unique local specialties that you must try. Many restaurants offer fresh seafood and local meats. Favorites include yak meat, king crab, and fresh oysters.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Nightlife?

Helsinki is a city with good options for nightlife. However, Anchorage is not a good city for nightlife and partying.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Helsinki. The nightlife scene is at its best on weekends when the city center comes to life with parties, dance clubs, and student activities. Many of the best clubs and bars are concentrated in the city center. Weekends are a bit calmer and things quiet down a lot.

Those looking for nightlife will find a few places to hang out in Anchorage. The town's nightlife mostly consists of local bars where you can hang out. Check out Koot's, which is a longstanding favorite.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Hiking?

Anchorage is a world-class destination for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Around Anchorage visitors will find world-class hiking trails. The town is surrounded by wilderness and it's not hard to escape into nature. You can choose between short walks, long day trips, and multi-day treks, with everything in between available as well. There are more than 300 miles of hiking trails near town and several favorites include Byron Glacier Trail, Thunderbird Falls Trail, and Flattop Mountain.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Anchorage?

Helsinki is a well-known place for shopping. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its shopping opportunities.

Helsinki is an extremely popular place for shoppers. The city is great for shopping, with many brands focused on sustainability. There are local boutiques as well as name brands. Flea markets and vintage shops are also popular.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting Anchorage. There are plenty of local gift shops and boutiques where you can pick up local Alaskan crafts and products. There's no sales tax, but prices can still be a bit steep. But if you're looking for something uniquely local to remember your trip, you don't have to look hard.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Families?

Helsinki is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Anchorage is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very family-friendly place to visit. The coastal setting offers many activities that kids and adults alike will enjoy. This capital city has a calm atmosphere with plenty of parkland to explore. The shoreline is dotted by islands where you'll also find a zoo and a fort. Kids will also enjoy exploring the islands by boat.

Anchorage is a family-friendly city. Kids who appreciate nature will appreciate this unique setting. Everyone will enjoy a glacier cruise, but you can hang out with the locals in Westchester Lagoon, see the animals at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and learn about the area at the Anchorage Museum.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Couples?

Both Helsinki and Anchorage are great destinations for a couple's getaway.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. The city's many parks offer the perfect setting for a picnic or a walk. There are also botanical gardens, evening boat rides, and saunas that will help you enjoy a romantic trip away.

Couples visit Anchorage frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. The city makes a good base for couples who want to explore the surrounding beauty. The landscapes make a beautiful backdrop for a romantic trip, and the adventure activities will make for an unforgettable experience. There are plenty of outdoor activities and adventure sports that couples can enjoy together and the beauty of the region is breathtaking.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Anchorage are both nice destinations for backpackers.

Helsinki is a good city to visit for backpackers. With its active nightlife scene, vibrant atmosphere, and inclusive personality, this city is a fun place for backpackers, but you should expect to pay a premium for the experience. Many backpackers avoid the city because they have heard how expensive it is. There are a few hostels around that will help you keep costs a bit more manageable.

Plenty of backpackers visit Anchorage. There are a few good budget places to stay, and backpackers will also have plenty of outdoor wilderness to explore near town. It's important to remember that Alaska is known for its challenging wilderness so, unless you're experienced, you should take a guide.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Students?

Helsinki is a well-known place for students. However, Anchorage is not popular with students.

Students come from all over to stay in Helsinki. The city has an active student life with plenty of culture and nature. It's active nightlife scene and beautiful natural areas make it a wonderful place to study.

Anchorage is not popular with students.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Helsinki is a well-known place for its public transit. However, Anchorage is not a good city for times when you don't have a car.

Public transit in Helsinki is fairly effecient and thorough. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Public transit is quite limited in Anchorage. There is the People Mover bus system that transports riders around town, but to truly experience the region, you must have a car.

Is Helsinki or Anchorage a more walkable city?

Helsinki is a city with good options for its walkability. However, Anchorage is not a good city for its high level of walkability.

Helsinki is somewhat walkable. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

Anchorage is generally not a very walkable city. The downtown area is compact so you can wander to the nearby shops and restaurants on foot, but most people visit with the goal of exploring outside of town. For that you need a car.

For even more information, also check out Is Helsinki Worth Visiting? and Is Anchorage Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Anchorage or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Anchorage?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Anchorage. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Anchorage. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Anchorage.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Anchorage 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 Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or Anchorage?

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Helsinki. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

The beautiful city of Anchorage offers food and shopping. Many visitors also spend a good bit of time hiking. 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 Helsinki or Anchorage?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the active destination of Helsinki. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Anchorage 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 spend some time hiking while you're in the area. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Anchorage, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Anchorage?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the nature-focused city of Helsinki. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Anchorage is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. 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 Helsinki or Anchorage?

Helsinki is a popular choice for travelers. One week 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. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

Anchorage is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that hiking is why people visit. Hiking can easily take up a good amount of your time here, too. 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 Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in United States of America, and The Best Polar Tours & Cruises in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Anchorage, we can see that Anchorage is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe and Anchorage is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki 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 Anchorage would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Anchorage than you might in Helsinki.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Anchorage?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Anchorage. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Anchorage, 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 Helsinki or Anchorage?

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 Helsinki or Anchorage in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Anchorage. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Anchorage this time of year.

In July, Helsinki is generally a little warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 59°F (15°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Anchorage. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Anchorage. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 240 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in July than Anchorage. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 1.7 inches (44 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Anchorage in the Autumn?

Both Anchorage and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Anchorage for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Anchorage. Helsinki is much warmer than Anchorage in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Anchorage fluctuates around 35°F (2°C).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 118 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 2.1 inches (53 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Anchorage in the Winter?

Both Anchorage and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Anchorage in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Anchorage can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the winter, Helsinki is a little warmer than Anchorage. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Anchorage averages at about 15°F (-9°C).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Anchorage. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Anchorage receives 80 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in January than Anchorage. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (19 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Anchorage in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Anchorage. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty. Also, most visitors come to Anchorage for the natural beauty during these months.

Anchorage can be very cold during spring. Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Helsinki is generally a little warmer than Anchorage. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Anchorage fluctuates around 36°F (2°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Anchorage this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Anchorage during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Anchorage receives 233 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Anchorage. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Anchorage receives 0.7 inches (18 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Anchorage and Helsinki