A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. New Orleans for Food, Nightlife, Families, and Couples

Should you visit Helsinki or New Orleans?

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 New Orleans 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 nature-focused, coastal, and environmentally conscious city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Other reasons to visit include food, shopping, and museums.

New Orleans

New Orleans is a energetic, fun-filled, and festive city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. This destination also has one of those special and quaint feelings. Visitors also love the live music, food, and nightlife.

Helsinki and New Orleans: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or New Orleans?

Travelers will usually find more to do in New Orleans. Although Helsinki and New Orleans are popular destinations, New Orleans has more sights and attractions for tourists. New Orleans is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Helsinki attracts visitors for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. New Orleans is more touristy than Helsinki and is known for its jazz festivals, local cuisine, quaint balconies, and world class Mardi Gras parties. It is also well known for The French Quarter. Helsinki is famous for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene.

The French Quarter

How is Helsinki different from New Orleans?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its museums and history. However, New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find a good number of museums and monuments packed into 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.

New Orleans does not have museums and landmarks.

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

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in New Orleans have been singled out for their culinary prowess. It has rapidly grown into one of the United State's most well known foodie destinations. It's the birthplace of bananas foster and popular for it's gumbo, crawfish etouffee, jambalaya, and red beans and rice. While there are a number of celebrity chefs from New Orleans, you'll also find many local restaurants that aren't as well known but are equally worth visiting.

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 New Orleans Better for Nightlife?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

People head to New Orleans just to party. The nightlife scene is at its best during Mardi Gras. But year-round you'll find Bachelor and Bachelorette parties, spring breakers, and anyone who wants to enjoy a crazy time heads to New Orleans. New Orleans is a destination that attracts partiers any time of the year, and the French Quarter is the place to be if you're looking for a party.

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 New Orleans Better for Music?

New Orleans is a world-class destination for its live music scene. However, Helsinki is not a live music destination.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in New Orleans. The city is known for its music festivals that feature jazz, blues, and many other types of live music. The Jazz Festival is a great time to visit.

Helsinki is not a live music destination.

Is Helsinki or New Orleans Better for its Old Town?

New Orleans is a very popular place for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

New Orleans is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The French Quarter is filled with old architecture and beautiful historic landmarks.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or New Orleans?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for shopping. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its shopping opportunities.

Shopping is a popular activity when visiting 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.

If you're looking to go shopping, New Orleans has some nice offerings. New Orleans shopping is mostly centered around shopping malls and chain stores.

Is Helsinki or New Orleans Better for Families?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its kid-friendly activities. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its family-friendly activities.

Helsinki is a very family-friendly destination. 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.

New Orleans doesn't usually come to mind when thinking about kid-friendly destinations. While there are some family-friendly activities in New Orleans like a zoo and several great parks, the city is more known for its parties and nightlife scene. Particularly during certain seasons, most people choose to visit New Orleans without kids.

Is Helsinki or New Orleans Better for Couples?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for romance. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its romantic activities.

Helsinki makes for a fun place to visit for 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.

New Orleans makes for a fun place to visit for a couple. Couples who enjoy a lively evening, fun festivals, and exploring absolutely amazing restaurants will enjoy a visit to New Orleans. It has a festive and unique atmosphere any time of the year. There are also nice hotels and beautiful parks.

Is Helsinki or New Orleans Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, New Orleans is lacking in options 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.

New Orleans is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There are a handful of hostels in New Orleans that are good options for backpackers who want to meet other travelers.

Is Helsinki or New Orleans Better for Students?

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, New Orleans is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

New Orleans is popular with students. Students head to New Orleans to enjoy spring break and Mardi Gras.

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

Helsinki is an excellent place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, New Orleans is lacking in options for its public transit.

Public transit in Helsinki is fairly effecient and thorough. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Public transit is generally limited in New Orleans. The city has streetcar lines and bus lines that you can use, but you'll want to have a car if you want to venture outside of these main areas.

Is Helsinki or New Orleans a more walkable city?

Helsinki and New Orleans are nice 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.

New Orleans is a somewhat walkable city. If you stick to the French Quarter and downtown areas, most things are walkable in New Orleans.

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

Should I spend more time in New Orleans or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or New Orleans?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and New Orleans. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in New Orleans. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 2-3 days is enough time in New Orleans.

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

Couples should spend more time in Helsinki than New Orleans. 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 Helsinki than New Orleans 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 Helsinki.

One day in Helsinki or New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the coastal city of Helsinki. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

The city of New Orleans offers nightlife and live music. 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 New Orleans?

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the environmentally conscious destination of Helsinki. This city offers something for everyone. Plenty of people spend a weekend in the area when traveling. If you enjoy all that's offered here, then a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

New Orleans 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. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. While some people choose to spend more or less time in New Orleans, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or New Orleans?

The environmentally conscious city of Helsinki offers shopping and museums. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel.

New Orleans 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 New Orleans?

Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Helsinki. Anyone can find something fun to do here. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

New Orleans is a great place to explore. 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 Adventure Tours to United States of America, and The Best Train & Rail Tours in United States of America.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or New Orleans?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of New Orleans. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and New Orleans, 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 New Orleans?

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 New Orleans in the Summer?

Both New Orleans and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. Also, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to New Orleans this time of year.

In July, Helsinki is generally much colder than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 82°F (28°C).

It's quite sunny in New Orleans. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as New Orleans during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 264 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.9 inches (149 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or New Orleans in the Autumn?

Both New Orleans and Helsinki during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to New Orleans for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.

Helsinki is much colder than New Orleans in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and New Orleans fluctuates around 69°F (21°C).

In New Orleans, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 240 hours of full sun.

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

Should I visit Helsinki or New Orleans in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and New Orleans. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to New Orleans in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than New Orleans. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and New Orleans averages at about 51°F (11°C).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than New Orleans during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while New Orleans receives 158 hours of full sun in the winter.

New Orleans receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than New Orleans. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 5.2 inches (131 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or New Orleans in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as New Orleans. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty. Additionally, most visitors come to New Orleans for the activities around the city during these months.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than New Orleans. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and New Orleans fluctuates around 68°F (20°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in New Orleans. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than New Orleans. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while New Orleans receives 254 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in New Orleans. Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than New Orleans. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while New Orleans receives 4.5 inches (114 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for New Orleans and Helsinki