A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Katowice for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Helsinki or Katowice?

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 Katowice 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.

Where Should I go: Helsinki or Katowice?

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.

Katowice

Katowice is a city east of Krakow, in the Silesian province of southern Poland. A large dome crowns the Cathedral of Christ the King, built between 1927 and 1955. The adjacent Archdiocesan Museum exhibits Silesian sacred art. The ultramodern Silesian Museum features several glass structures on the site of a former coal mine. It exhibits Polish art and chronicles the history of Upper Silesia. Historically, Katowice is a product of the 19th-century industrial boom, but it only became a city in the interwar period. After WWII, at the height of the Stalinist cult craze, the city was renamed Stalinogrod, but reverted to its old name soon after Comrade Joe died in 1953. Katowice has few significant historical monuments, but it's a major commercial and cultural center and holds sufficient attractions to make it worth a stop.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Warsaw.


Which place is cheaper, Katowice or Helsinki?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, while the average daily cost in Katowice is €43. 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 destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Helsinki and Katowice in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Helsinki 73
    Katowice 18
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Helsinki 146
    Katowice 36
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Katowice

Looking for a hotel in Helsinki or Katowice? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Helsinki


Hotels in Katowice


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Helsinki Hotel Prices and Katowice Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Helsinki 22
    Katowice 12

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki

Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private Transfer from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki Port : $40
  • Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Helsinki hotels-Arrival Private Transfer : $41
  • Helsinki City hotels to Helsinki Airport (HEL) Departure Transfer: $41
  • Helsinki West Harbour Terminal to Helsinki hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
  • Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $64
  • Private Transfer in Helsinki: $76
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
  • Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $82
  • Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port in Luxury Van: $93
  • Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL in Business Car: $97
  • Private Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki in Business Car: $97
  • Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki city centre to Helsinki airport: $98

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Katowice

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Katowice:

  • Katowice Pyrzowice KTW to Krakow City Private Transfer: $129
  • Katowice Airport: Private Transfer to or from Krakow: $186
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau: Fast-Track Ticket & Guided Tour No Transfers: $32
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour from Katowice with Private Transfers: $199

Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Katowice?

Prices for flights to both Katowice 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Helsinki 34
    Katowice 18

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki

For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $106
  • FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
  • Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Katowice

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Katowice.

  • Private Traditional Polish Food Tour: $179

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Helsinki 27
    Katowice 6.00

Tours and Activities in Helsinki

For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Tip-Based City Highlights Guided Walking Tour: $2.14
  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Tip-based Free Walking Tour Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA TOURS: $5.13
  • Escape Game and Tour: $6.95
  • Helsinki Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour: $6.95
  • Temppeliaukio Church Entrance Ticket: $8.56
  • From Round-Trip Ferry Ticket to Suomenlinna: $8.64
  • Suomenlinna: Museum Ticket: $9.62
  • Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • 4D Flying Cinema Tour of Helsinki Tickets: $14
  • Self-Guided City Highlights Audio Tour: $14

Tours and Activities in Katowice

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Katowice are as follows:

  • Auschwitz & Birkenau Live Guide Tour Entrance Ticket: $55
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau - Skip the Line Tickets : $32
  • Auschwitz-Birkenau: Entry Ticket with Guided Tour: $32
  • Entrance Ticket to Auschwitz Birkenau with Guide and FREE ebook: $32
  • From Auschwitz-Birkenau Skip-the-Line Guided Tour: $95
  • Jasna Gora and Czestochowa Private Tour from Katowice by Car: $349
  • Katowice Old Town Highlights Private Walking Tour: $99
  • Katowice Private Polish Beer Tasting Tour: $160
  • Katowice Private Vodka Tasting Tour: $159
  • Katowice and Nikiszowiec: bicycle tour with guide: $42
  • Private City Tour with Stories & Viewing Points: $154
  • Private Tour to Auschwitz Birkenau: $156

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Helsinki 16
    Katowice 5.33

Sample the Local Flavors in Katowice

Also in Katowice, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Tyskie Brewery Tour: $111


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Katowice, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Katowice much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Katowice would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Katowice 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 Katowice.

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


Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Katowice?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 76% larger than the population of Katowice. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Katowice, 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 Katowice?

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 Katowice in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Katowice. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is around the same temperature as Katowice in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Katowice fluctuates around 18°C (64°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Katowice. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In the summer, Helsinki often gets more sunshine than Katowice. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 219 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in July than Katowice. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Helsinki 17°C (62°F) 
    Katowice 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Katowice in the Autumn?

Both Katowice and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Katowice. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Katowice averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Katowice during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 128 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Katowice. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Helsinki 6°C (42°F) 
    Katowice 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Katowice in the Winter?

Both Katowice and Helsinki during the winter are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

The weather in Katowice can be very cold. Helsinki can be very cold during winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Katowice. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Katowice fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Katowice. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Katowice receives 51 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in January than Katowice. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Helsinki -6°C (21°F) 
    Katowice -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Katowice in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Katowice. The spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty.

The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Helsinki is much colder than Katowice in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Katowice fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Katowice during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Katowice receives 152 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Katowice. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Katowice receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Helsinki 3°C (37°F) 
    Katowice 8°C (46°F)

Typical Weather for Katowice and Helsinki

Helsinki Katowice
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (21°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -2°C (28°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 34 mm (1.4 in) 4°C (39°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 16°C (61°F) 90 mm (3.5 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 18°C (64°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 17°C (63°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 14°C (57°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 10°C (50°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec -4°C (26°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 50 mm (2 in)