A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Helsinki vs. Philadelphia for Attractions, Food, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Helsinki or Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia 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 active, nature-focused, and coastal city. It's considered by many to be an absolutely beautiful destination, too. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a historic, cultural, and diverse city. Travelers will also find plenty of sights and attractions here, as it's a big city that attracts lots of visitors. It's a beautiful place to visit, too. Visitors also love the live music, food, and shopping.

Helsinki and Philadelphia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Philadelphia?

You'll generally find more things to do in Philadelphia than Helsinki. Philadelphia is bigger than Helsinki, and it also has more attractions and activities for travelers. Philadelphia is better known for its museums, theatre productions, food, nightlife, music, historical sights, christmas markets, and big city activities, while Helsinki is more popular for its impressive beauty. Helsinki is well known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Philadelphia is well known for its diverse population, large number of universities, great restaurant and market scene, and its role in American history. Also, Philadelphia is famous for The Liberty Bell.

How is Helsinki different from Philadelphia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Philadelphia is a world-class destination for its museums and history. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its museums and landmarks.

The museums and tourist attractions in Philadelphia are world-renowned. The city has a rich history with a number of museums and monuments. Popular sites around the city include the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the National Museum of Jewish American History.

Visitors can fill many days exploring the museums and attractions around 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.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Theater?

Philadelphia is a very popular place for its theatre productions. However, Helsinki is not a theatre destination.

Philadelphia attracts a wide-range of world-class performances. There are major Broadway shows as well as smaller venues. Head to The Avenue of the Arts along Broad Street for a popular stretch of theaters.

Helsinki is not a theatre destination.

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

Philadelphia is a very popular place for its restaurants. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Philadelphia has a huge number of terrific restaurants. It has grown into a well-recognized food destination. It's diversity of cultures and residents have influenced the restaurant scene and you'll find many great places to dine covering a number of international flavors. The city is famous for its Philly cheesesteak and roast pork sandwich. You can also grab some local favorites at Reading Terminal Market.

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 Philadelphia Better for Nightlife?

Philadelphia is a very popular place for nightlife and partying. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its evening party scene.

Philadelphia has a large number of nightlife venues. The city's nightlife scene carries late into the evening with many rooftop and outdoor beer gardens. Most of the clubs and bars are found in the downtown area and you'll find places to dance, listen to live music, or sip a trendy cocktails.

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 Philadelphia Better for Music?

Philadelphia is a very popular place for its live music scene. However, Helsinki is not a live music destination.

It's worth checking out the music scene in Philadelphia while you're in town. The city's diverse music scene includes jazz, rock, and hip hop.

Helsinki is not a live music destination.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for its Old Town?

Philadelphia is a city with good options for its old town. However, Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Plenty of visitors enjoy exploring the old town in Philadelphia. The Old City has a number of Colonial-era sites including Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, the Betsy Ross House.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Philadelphia?

Shoppers can find a variety of high quality stores in both Helsinki and Philadelphia.

Helsinki is well-known for its shopping. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Philadelphia. With all items tax-free, this city is a great place to shop. It has many boutique shops as well as name brand stores and shopping areas. For a local vibe, head to Reading Terminal Market.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Christmas?

Philadelphia is a very popular place for its Christmas holiday experiences. However, Helsinki does not offer Christmas activities.

Since it has plenty to do, Philadelphia is a very popular place to visit during Christmas. There are a number of holiday events, light shows, and festivals during the holiday season.

Helsinki does not offer Christmas activities.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Christmas Markets?

Philadelphia is a city with good options for visiting Christmas markets. However, Helsinki does not offer Christmas markets.

Philadelphia is a nice place to see Christmas markets. The city has its own German style Christmas market at Love Park and City Hall. It hosts over 80 vendors.

Helsinki does not offer Christmas markets.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Families?

Both Helsinki and Philadelphia are high quality to visit with kids.

Because of its large number of kid-friendly activities, Helsinki is very family-friendly. 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.

Philadelphia is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The city has many museums and a fascinating history that is interesting to kids and adults alike. Popular activities include a zoo and Sesame Place. Kids also love the hands-on Please Touch Museum.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Couples?

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

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.

Philadelphia is a good city for couples to visit. Like many large cities, it is a fun place to explore in the evening as a couple. This is also a great foodie destination with great markets, food trucks, and diverse restaurants that reflect the city's diverse population.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki and Philadelphia are both notable destinations 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.

Plenty of backpackers visit Philadelphia. There are a few good hostels for backpackers and budget travelers to choose from.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia Better for Students?

Both Helsinki and Philadelphia are high quality destinations 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.

Many students visit Philadelphia. With its many universities and diverse population, this city is a great place for international students.

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

Visitors will find high quality public transit in both Helsinki and Philadelphia.

The public transit in Helsinki can get you around easily. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Philadelphia offers a very effecient public transportation network. The system includes a subway, trolleys, buses, and a commuter rail.

Is Helsinki or Philadelphia a more walkable city?

Philadelphia is a world-class destination for its high level of walkability. Also, Helsinki is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its ease of walking around.

It's very easy to get around on foot in Philadelphia. The Old City is particularly walkable, as is Avenue of the Arts, and Rittenhouse Square.

Helsinki is a somewhat walkable city. Many neighborhoods are easy to explore on foot. The air is also clean and the setting is refreshing.

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

Should I spend more time in Philadelphia or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Philadelphia?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Philadelphia than Helsinki. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Philadelphia that are perfect for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Philadelphia than Helsinki 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 Philadelphia.

One day in Helsinki or Philadelphia?

In Helsinki, many people enjoy the food and shopping that this environmentally conscious city offers. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Philadelphia is a big city with plenty to do. 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 Philadelphia?

Helsinki is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Philadelphia 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. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Philadelphia, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Philadelphia?

You'll find museums and nightlife around the waterfront destination of Helsinki. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

Philadelphia is a popular choice for travelers. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 Philadelphia?

Helsinki is a popular place to visit. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Philadelphia is a great place to explore. It's no surprise that museums is why people visit. 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 2-Week Tours from Anchorage, and The Best 2-Week Tours from San Francisco.

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

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Philadelphia, 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 Philadelphia?

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 Philadelphia in the Summer?

Both Philadelphia 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. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Philadelphia because of the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

Helsinki is cooler than Philadelphia in the summer. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 77°F (25°C).

It's quite sunny in Philadelphia. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Philadelphia during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 273 hours of full sun in the summer.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 3.9 inches (100 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Philadelphia in the Autumn?

Both Philadelphia 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. Furthermore, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Philadelphia this time of year.

In the autumn, Helsinki is much colder than Philadelphia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Helsinki in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Philadelphia averages at about 56°F (14°C).

In Philadelphia, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 202 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Philadelphia. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 1.9 inches (48 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Philadelphia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Philadelphia. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Philadelphia for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Philadelphia. It's quite cold in Helsinki in the winter. In January, Helsinki is generally much colder than Philadelphia. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around -6°C (21°F), and Philadelphia fluctuates around 30°F (-1°C).

Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Philadelphia during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Philadelphia receives 152 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Philadelphia. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.3 inches (58 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Philadelphia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Philadelphia. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Philadelphia in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Philadelphia in the spring. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Philadelphia fluctuates around 52°F (11°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Philadelphia. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Philadelphia. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Philadelphia receives 216 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Philadelphia. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Philadelphia receives 2.8 inches (70 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Philadelphia and Helsinki