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

Should you visit Helsinki or Pecs?

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 Pecs 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 Pecs?

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.

Pecs

Located in southwest Hungary, Pecs is a pleasant university town with a history that dates back to Roman times - a history evident in its ancient architecture. Some of the most sought after sites include the Early Christian Necropolis, the Mosque of Pasha Quasim, and the Cathedral of Pecs.

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


Which place is cheaper, Pecs 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 Pecs is €75. 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 Pecs in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Helsinki 73
    Pecs 35
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Helsinki 146
    Pecs 70
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Pecs

Looking for a hotel in Helsinki or Pecs? 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 Pecs


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 Pecs Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Helsinki 22
    Pecs 16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki

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

  • Departure Private Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL by business car: $64
  • Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL in Business Car: $97
  • Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $218
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki West Terminal - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $81
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL): One-Way Transfer to/from Helsinki: $144
  • Helsinki Airport (HEL): Transfer to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $129
  • Helsinki Airport VIP Transfers: Exclusive Comfort&Efficiency: $134
  • Helsinki City hotels to Helsinki Airport (HEL) Departure Transfer: $41
  • Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $82
  • Helsinki Private Transfer: $158
  • Helsinki Private Transfer from Helsinki city centre to Helsinki airport: $98
  • Helsinki Stopover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfers: $139

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Pecs

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Pecs:

  • Pécs - Budapest Transfer: $149

Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Pecs?

Prices for flights to both Pecs 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
    Pecs 27

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

Typical Food Prices in Pecs

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Pecs:


  • Dinner for Two
    23

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Helsinki 27
    Pecs 16

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 Pecs

Here are a few actual costs in Pecs for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Mineral Museum Entrance Ticket: $4.36

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Helsinki 16
    Pecs 7.78


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

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


Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Pecs?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Pecs. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Pecs, 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 Pecs?

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 Pecs in the Summer?

Both Pecs and Helsinki during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.

In the summer, Helsinki is cooler than Pecs. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Pecs averages at about 22°C (71°F).

In Pecs, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Helsinki. In the summer, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Pecs. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 302 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Pecs. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Helsinki 17°C (62°F) 
    Pecs 22°C (71°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Pecs in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Pecs. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Pecs. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Pecs fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Pecs during autumn. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Pecs. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Helsinki 6°C (42°F) 
    Pecs 13°C (56°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Pecs in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Pecs. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Pecs can be very cold during winter. Helsinki can get quite cold in the winter. Helsinki is much colder than Pecs in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Pecs fluctuates around 0°C (32°F).

In the winter, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Pecs. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Pecs receives 72 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Pecs. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Helsinki -6°C (21°F) 
    Pecs 0°C (32°F)

Should I visit Helsinki or Pecs in the Spring?

Both Pecs and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Helsinki for the natural beauty during these months.

Helsinki can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Pecs. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Pecs averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Pecs during spring. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Pecs receives 187 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Pecs. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Pecs receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Helsinki 3°C (37°F) 
    Pecs 12°C (54°F)

Typical Weather for Pecs and Helsinki

Helsinki Pecs
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (21°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 0°C (32°F) 39 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 3°C (37°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 34 mm (1.4 in) 7°C (45°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (68°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 22°C (71°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 22°C (71°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 18°C (65°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 13°C (56°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 7°C (44°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Dec -4°C (26°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (36°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)