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

Should you visit Helsinki or Boston?

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 Boston 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 coastal, environmentally conscious, and waterfront city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. It's also known for nightlife, food, and shopping.

Boston

Boston is a historic, traditional, and classic city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Helsinki and Boston: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Boston?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Boston. Although Helsinki and Boston are roughly the same size, Boston has more sights and attractions for tourists. Boston is very popular for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, beaches, historical sights, christmas markets, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Helsinki attracts visitors for its shopping and impressive beauty. Boston is more touristy than Helsinki and is popular for its enthusiastic sports fans, influential history, beautiful parks, and world-class universities. It is also well known for The Freedom Trail. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

How is Helsinki different from Boston?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Boston 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 Boston are world-renowned. The city itself feels like a living museum. It is famous for Faneuil Hall, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Isabelle Stewart Gardner Museum, the USS Constitution, as well as the many sites along the Freedom Trail. There are also many museums on the campuses of the world renowned universities in the city.

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 Helsinki or Boston Better for Theater?

Boston is a very popular place for its theatre productions. However, Helsinki is not a theatre destination.

Boston attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. The city has many historic, beautifully restored theaters where you can enjoy a show. Head to the theater district for some of the most famous venues.

Helsinki is not a theatre destination.

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

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

Boston has a huge number of terrific restaurants. There are many local dishes that utilize fresh caught seafood and comfort food flavors. The cuisine also takes advantage of the city's Italian and Irish populations. Famous local foods include New England Clam Chowder, lobster rolls, and baked beans. You'll find hearty sandwiches and filling meals that warm your soul.

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 Boston Better for Nightlife?

Boston 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.

Boston has a large number of nightlife venues. The city is known for its breweries, craft beer, and vibrant university neighborhoods. It also hosts regular outdoor movies and world class sporting events. The nightlife scene is varied, with some areas catering to the student population and other areas focused on the professional or sport-loving crowds.

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 Helsinki or Boston Better for Music?

Boston is a city with good options for its live music scene. However, Helsinki is not a live music destination.

You'll find some good live music in Boston. Popular music venues include Lizard Lounge, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion, and The Middle East.

Helsinki is not a live music destination.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Beaches?

Boston is a decent place to visit for the beache. However, Helsinki is not a beach destination.

You can check out the beach in Boston. There are a few urban beaches in the greater Boston area that you can explore on a nice day.

Helsinki is not a beach destination.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for its Old Town?

Boston is a world-class destination for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

The historic old town of Boston is revered around the world. Boston is famous for its Freedom Trail, which takes visitors around the city's rich history. The oldest parts of the city are known as Boston Proper and include the neighborhoods of Beacon Hill, Historic Downtown, the North End, and the West End.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Boston?

Helsinki is notable for shopping. Also, Boston 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 Boston. Head to Back Bay for some of the best high end shops. There are luxury brands and boutique venues that sell local art or crafts.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Christmas?

Boston is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Helsinki does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Boston is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. Christmas comes to life in the city with its Christmas Trees, holiday shows, and festivals.

Helsinki does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Christmas Markets?

Boston is a very popular place for visiting Christmas markets. However, Helsinki does not offer Christmas markets.

Boston offers plenty of Christmas markets. There are a number of European style Christmas markets that pop up during the holiday season around town.

Helsinki does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Families?

Boston is a world-class destination for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its family-friendly activities.

Boston is an extremely popular city to visit for families. It's filled with history, but there are also many activities for kids who need a break from all of the historical stuff. Popular activities for all ages include the Museum of Science, the New England Aquarium, and exploring the waterfront, gardens, and parks around town.

Helsinki is known to be 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.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Couples?

Helsinki is notable for romance. Also, Boston is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its romantic activities.

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

Boston makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy history will enjoy exploring the city. Take a swan boat ride in the Public Garden and wander the unique route along the Freedom Trail. There are also many sporting and entertainment options around town.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Boston 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 Boston. Like most larger American cities, the city has a handful of hostels to choose from.

Is Helsinki or Boston Better for Students?

Boston is a world-class destination for its student-friendly activities. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Boston is a very popular city for students. It is a city of students, with a number of world renowned universities located here including Harvard University, Boston College, and MIT. Many neighborhoods are filled with students and there are many student-centered activities around town including festivals and an active nightlife scene.

Many students visit 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.

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

Boston is a world-class destination for times when you don't have a car. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its public transit.

With a huge network, the transit system in Boston can get you around easily. There's the T, which is the subway, as well as a trolley, bus, and water transportation system.

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

Is Helsinki or Boston a more walkable city?

Boston is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Boston. The many parks and compact neighborhoods are best explored on foot.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Boston or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Boston?

In either Helsinki or Boston, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Boston than Helsinki because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 3-5 days is enough time in Boston.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Boston 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 Boston.

One day in Helsinki or Boston?

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Helsinki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

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

Helsinki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Boston is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than a weekend exploring. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Boston?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Boston is a popular choice for travelers. Five days here is typical. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Boston, five days is sufficent for most. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Helsinki or Boston?

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the environmentally conscious destination of Helsinki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Boston is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 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 10-Day Tours in United States of America, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in United States of America.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Boston, we can see that Boston 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 Boston 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 Boston would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Boston 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 Boston Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Boston?

Boston has a larger population, and is about 5% larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Boston, 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 Boston?

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 Boston in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Boston. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Boston for the beaches, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Helsinki is generally cooler than Boston. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Boston fluctuates around 73°F (23°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Boston. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Boston. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 304 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Boston. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Boston receives 2.9 inches (74 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Boston in the Autumn?

Both Boston and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Boston in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Helsinki is much colder than Boston in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Boston fluctuates around 54°F (12°C).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Boston during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 194 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Boston. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.3 inches (84 mm) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Helsinki or Boston in the Winter?

Both Boston and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, most visitors come to Boston for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Boston can be very cold during winter. Helsinki can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Boston. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Boston averages at about 29°F (-2°C).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Boston. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Boston receives 153 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Boston. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.4 inches (87 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Boston in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Boston. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Boston because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Helsinki can be very cold during spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Boston. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Boston fluctuates around 48°F (9°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Boston this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Boston during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Boston receives 225 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Boston. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Boston receives 3.5 inches (89 mm) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Boston and Helsinki