Which place is cheaper, Malmo or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Helsinki or Malmo?
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 Malmo 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 Malmo?
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.
Malmo
Located on the southern tip of Sweden, in the province of Skane, Malmo is Sweden's third largest city. It has a very international population with about a third of the residents being from countries other than Sweden. This diversity is evident within Malmo, which is rich in culture, interesting food, and an array of entertainment options. Historically, Malmo was an industrial city with a ship building company, Kockums being the area's largest employer. Today, however, the city is much more economicaly diverse with many eco friendly neighborhoods and plenty of suburban style housing.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Sweden, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Sweden.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €139Malmo €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, while the average daily cost in Malmo is €76. 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 Malmo in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Malmo €45
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Malmo €90
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Malmo
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki or Malmo? 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.
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 Malmo Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Malmo €7.39
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Vantaa Airport(HEL) to Helsinki hotels-RoundTrip Private Transfer: $83
- Vantaa Airport (HEL) to Helsinki hotels-Arrival Private Transfer : $41
- VIP Transfer HELSINKI: $147
- VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $151
- Private transfer from Helsinki Airport with Meet & Greet: $128
- Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki Airport HEL in Luxury Van: $103
- Private Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki in Luxury Van: $103
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki in Business Car: $91
- Private Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki in Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer from Helsinki City Hotels to Kotka Cruise Port: $64
- Private Transfer From Helsinki Vantaa Airport HEL to Kotka Port: $64
- PRIVATE Helsinki VIP Transfer: $147
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Malmo
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Malmo:
-
Malmö Bus Card€17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Malmo
Also for Malmo, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from Malmo City to Fredericia Cruise Port: $96
- Private Direct Transfer From Malmo to Copenhagen: $121
- Malmo Private Transfer from Malmo airport to Central Malmo : $95
- Malmo Private Transfer from Central Malmo to Malmo Airport: $95
- Malmo City Center to Malmo Airport (MMX) - Departure Private Transfer: $27
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $54
- Malmo Airport (MMX) to Malmo City Center - Arrival Private Transfer: $27
- Malmö City to Kastrup hotel/address - Private Car Transfer: $46
- Malmö City to Copenhagen hotel/address Private Departure Transfer: $127
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Malmo?
Prices for flights to both Malmo 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 dayHelsinki €34Malmo €24
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: $105
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $163
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Malmo
For Malmo, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Self-guided Food Tour in Malmö: $59
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Malmo €15
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Helsinki Highlights Tour: the Top Sightseeing Spots: $141
- 2-Hours Private Modern Boat Tour in Helsinki Archipelago: $283
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $98
- 3-Hour Helsinki Private Walking Tour: $234
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $26
- Adventure Day: $44
- All-in-One Helsinki Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships: $1,039
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $105
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $147
- Cozy Guided City Tour: Helsinki & Porvoo: $96
- E-Bike rental / Self-Guided tour to Seurasaari: $52
- First Time in Helsinki Tour: $330
Tours and Activities in Malmo
For Malmo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Canal Sightseeing Boat Tour of Malmö: $21
- Exploring Malmo Walking Tour: $147
- Half Day Walking Tour in Lund City and University: $33
- Joyful Malmo Walking Tour for Couples: $147
- Lund's Medieval and Modern History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Malmö Ghost Story: A self-guided audio walking tour: $9.27
- Malmö Photography Tour: $58
- Malmo Walking Tour, 3 hours (small group): $66
- Self-guided audio tour in Lund: explore the story of the Locus Peccatorum murder: $9.27
- Skip the Line: Disgusting Food Museum Entrance Ticket: $21
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Malmo €33
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Malmo, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Malmo much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Malmo would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Malmo 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 Malmo.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Malmo Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Malmo?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Malmo. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Malmo, 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 Malmo?
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 Malmo in the Summer?
Both Malmo and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Helsinki is around the same temperature as Malmo in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Malmo fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
It's quite sunny in Malmo. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Malmo. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Malmo 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Malmo in the Autumn?
Both Malmo and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Malmo. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Malmo averages at about 10°C (50°F).
In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Malmo. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 104 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Malmo. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Malmo 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Malmo in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Malmo. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Malmo. It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Malmo. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Malmo fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).
Helsinki usually receives more sunshine than Malmo during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Malmo receives 36 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Malmo. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Malmo 0°C (32°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Malmo in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Malmo. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Malmo in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Malmo fluctuates around 5°C (42°F).
In the spring, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Malmo. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Malmo receives 173 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in April than Malmo. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Malmo receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Malmo 5°C (42°F)
Typical Weather for Malmo and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Malmo | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 0°C (32°F) | 37 mm (1.4 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -0°C (32°F) | 25 mm (1 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.