Should you visit Helsinki or Istanbul?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Helsinki and Istanbul 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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
Which city is cheaper, Istanbul 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 Istanbul is €80. 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 Istanbul 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.
A hotel room in Istanbul is about €100 This assumes double occupancy and modest accommodations.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Istanbul cost around €20 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €8.00.
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Food
Meals for one day
Helsinki €27
Istanbul €20
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
Typical Food prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of dining costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Juice
€0.20
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Turkish Delight
€0.06
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Dessert
€0.85
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Pastries
€0.15
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$29
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise Show:
$30
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Inc. Dinner and Belly Dance Show with Hotel Transfer:
$34
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Alaturca Ottoman Dramatic Stage Show & Dinner Cruise ( Non - Alcoholic ):
$35
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Bosphorus Dinner Show Cruise With Non Alcoholic Menu ISTANBUL Dinner cruise:
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive):
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise An Unforgettable Experience in Istanbul:
$36
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Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Night Show from Istanbul:
$37
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Istanbul Cruise&Show with Dinner:
$37
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise & Show:
$39
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Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise & Soft Drinks:
$40
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Istanbul Dinner Cruise&Show:
$40
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 Istanbul is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €4.71 per person, per day, on local transportation in Istanbul.
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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Private Departure Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Vantaa Airport:
$40
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Airport transfer in Helsinki:
$50
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Best Transfer Helsinki:
$50
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VIP Transfer Helsinki Airport:
$53
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Private Chauffeur Transfer Helsinki:
$56
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VIP car Airport Transfer Helsinki:
$56
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Departure Private Transfer Luxury Van Helsinki City to Helsinki Port:
$62
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Arrival Private Transfer Business Car Helsinki Port to Helsinki City:
$62
Typical Local Transportation prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Ferry
€0.28
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Local Bus
€0.30
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
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İstanbul Private Airport Transfer:
$19
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İstanbul Airport Transfer:
$45
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istanbul airport transfer-sabiha gokcen airport transfer-vip transfer:
$28
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istanbul airport cheapest vip transfer by private car:
$14
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istanbul airport & sabiha gokcen airport transfer by private car:
$30
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VIP Transfer Services for Airports, Hotels or Other Location:
$80
-
VIP Airport Transfer and Shuttle:
$62
-
VIP Airport Transfer:
$56
-
Turkish Bath in Istanbul with transfer:
$199
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
$57
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Transfer in Private Vehicle from Istanbul Old City to Istanbul Airport:
$51
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Transfer in Private Minivan from Istanbul Old City to Sabiha Gokcen Airport:
$61
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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.
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 Istanbul typically cost an average of €29 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
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Skip the Line: SEA LIFE Helsinki Entrance Ticket:
$19
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Helsinki Self-Guided Audio Tour:
$20
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Sightseeing Boat Tour in Archipelago of Helsinki:
$27
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Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour (ticket for 24 hours):
$37
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$37
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop On Hop Off Tour:
$37
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Artificial Intelligence City Tour of Helsinki:
$37
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Helsinki Like a Local: Customized Private Tour:
$38
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Private Helsinki Budha Tour Half Day:
$40
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Helsinki Music Walking Tour:
$50
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Helsinki Shared group tour:
$51
Typical Entertainment prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Istanbul are as follows:
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
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1 Day - Istanbul Tour:
$315
-
1 Day Cappadocia Hot Air Balloon Tour From Istanbul:
$300
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1 Day Istanbul & Ephesus Tour By Plane - YK230:
$419
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1 Day Regular Cappadocia Tour by Plane - YK0011:
$384
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1 Day Tour - Sapanca:
$300
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Tour from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$496
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Travel from Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$509
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1 Night 1 Day Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$513
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1 Night 1 Day Trip from Istanbul to Cappadocia - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$490
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1 Night 2 Days Cappadocia Trip from/to Istanbul - Including Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$521
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1 Night 2 Days Ephesus, Kusadasi, Hierapolis & Pamukkale Tour from/to Istanbul:
$372
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1 Night Cappadocia Trip with Hot Air Balloon Tour:
$525
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Helsinki spend on average €13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
The average person spends about €7.20 on alcoholic beverages in Istanbul per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
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Daily Tekirdag Wine Tasting Tour from Istanbul:
$427
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Istanbul, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
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