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

Should you visit Helsinki or Atlanta?

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 Atlanta 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 active, nature-focused, and coastal city. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Atlanta

Atlanta is a suburban, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Helsinki and Atlanta: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Atlanta?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Atlanta than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Atlanta, Atlanta has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Atlanta is more popular for its museums, food, nightlife, shopping, and big city activities, while Helsinki is known for its impressive beauty. Helsinki is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Atlanta is popular for its world class aquarium, its role as host of the 1996 Olympic Games, and its influence during the Civil Rights Movement. It is also home to the Georgia Aquarium.

How is Helsinki different from Atlanta?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Atlanta is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Atlanta are world-renowned. The museums range in topic from history to science and art. The country's largest aquarium, the Georgia Aquarium, is in Atlanta as well. It's home to whale sharks, stingrays, and a diversity of marine life. Other museums around town include the Atlanta History Center, the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, the High Museum of Art, the World of Coca Cola, the David J. Sencer CDC Museum, and the Delta Flight Museum. There are also many monuments and sites including the Martin Luther King Jr. National Historic Site.

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

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

Atlanta is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Atlanta has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It's a huge city with a wide selection of restaurants including international, local, and classic southern styles. Fried chicken, biscuits, diner food, and barbecue are all popular. For a classic southern breakfast check out The OK Cafe and for a quintessential Atlanta experience go to The Varsity.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Helsinki area. 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.

Is Helsinki or Atlanta Better for Nightlife?

Atlanta is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Atlanta has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene is diverse with trendy bars, dance clubs, and huge music halls. There are a number of neighborhoods that each have their own atmosphere. For some of the best nightlife check out the upscale bars in Buckhead, the music venues in Midtown, the hipster vibe in Edgewood, or the laid-back atmosphere in Virginia Highland.

Helsinki has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Atlanta?

Atlanta is a world-class destination for its shopping opportunities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Atlanta draws large crowds to its stores. There are a number of great shopping districts around town. Atlantic Station is popular with a movie theater and ice skating. Buckhead has boutique and local vendors and Lenox Square has a large shopping mall.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Helsinki. 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.

Is Helsinki or Atlanta Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Atlanta are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. 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.

Atlanta is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. There is no shortage of playgrounds around town, but a highlight of any trip is a visit to the Georgia Aquarium. It's the largest aquarium in the United States and its home to whale sharks, hammerheads, dolphin shows, and more. It is so much more than just an aquarium, and it truly is a not to be missed experience. Also worth a visit are Zoo Atlanta, the Center of Puppetry Arts, Stone Mountain, Fernbank Museum of Natural History, and the Lego Discovery Center. If you have the chance to see the Atlanta Braves play, that's also a rewarding experience.

Is Helsinki or Atlanta Better for Couples?

Helsinki is a great city for couples. Also, Atlanta is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Helsinki is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Atlanta is a nice destination for couples. It's a big city, so there are a number of date night activities available such as orchestra concerts, theater shows, and fine dining. The city also has many outdoor areas like Lake Lanier and Piedmont Park. The Georgia Aquarium is world class, and there are other amazing museums around town as well.

Is Helsinki or Atlanta Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Atlanta are both good 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 Atlanta. While it's usually overlooked by backpackers, there are actually a couple of hostels around town and a surprising number of activities worth experiencing. The city's large airport make it a convenient entry point for international travelers.

Is Helsinki or Atlanta Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Atlanta are high quality destinations for 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.

Many students visit Atlanta. There are a number of universities in town such as Emory, Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia State University, and Morehouse College. The city is sprawling, but it's also full of entertainment and activities that students will enjoy.

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

Helsinki is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Atlanta is not known for its public transit.

Helsinki offers a very effecient public transportation network. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Public transit is generally limited in Atlanta. For such a large city, the public transportation system is very limited. MARTA is the main transit authority and there are a few subway lines that cross the city as well as bus routes running around town.

Is Helsinki or Atlanta a more walkable city?

Helsinki and Atlanta are good when it comes to walkability.

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

Atlanta is a somewhat walkable city. Parts of the city are walkable, but most of the sights are spread out and require a car to access. Within neighborhoods, there are a few places that are more pedestrian-friendly such as Downtown, Midtown, Virginia Highlands, and Buckhead.

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

Should I spend more time in Atlanta or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Atlanta?

It's fun to spend time in either Helsinki or Atlanta. In our opinion, Atlanta has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Atlanta than Helsinki. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

Couples should spend more time in Helsinki than Atlanta. 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 Atlanta than Helsinki 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 Atlanta.

One day in Helsinki or Atlanta?

In Helsinki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Atlanta is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Helsinki or Atlanta?

In Helsinki, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Helsinki has to offer.

Atlanta 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Atlanta, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Atlanta?

Helsinki is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Atlanta 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 Helsinki or Atlanta?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Helsinki. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Atlanta 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 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 Historical Tours in United States of America, and The Best 10-Day Tours in United States of America.

When comparing the travel costs between Helsinki and Atlanta, we can see that Atlanta 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 Helsinki is in Europe and Atlanta is in North America, 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 Helsinki Expensive? and Is Atlanta Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Atlanta?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Atlanta. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Atlanta, 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 Atlanta?

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 Helsinki or Atlanta in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Atlanta. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Atlanta because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Helsinki is much colder than Atlanta. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Atlanta averages at about 82°F (28°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Atlanta this time of the year. In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Atlanta during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 271 hours of full sun in the summer.

Atlanta receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 5.2 inches (133 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Atlanta in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Atlanta. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Atlanta this time of year.

In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Atlanta. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Atlanta fluctuates around 66°F (19°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 222 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in October than Atlanta. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 3 inches (77 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Atlanta in the Winter?

Both Atlanta and Helsinki 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 Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Atlanta for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. Helsinki is much colder than Atlanta in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Atlanta fluctuates around 45°F (7°C).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Atlanta during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Atlanta receives 164 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Atlanta. In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Atlanta. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.7 inches (120 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Atlanta in the Spring?

Both Atlanta and Helsinki during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Atlanta in the spring for the activities around the city.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Atlanta. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Atlanta averages at about 65°F (18°C).

In Atlanta, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Atlanta. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Atlanta receives 262 hours of full sun.

Atlanta gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Atlanta. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Atlanta receives 4.1 inches (104 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Atlanta and Helsinki