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

Should you visit Helsinki or Phoenix?

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 Phoenix 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. Many visitors also come because of it's amazing beauty. It's also popular because of the museums, nightlife, and food.

Phoenix

Phoenix is a desert, laid back, and sprawling city. Visitors also love the nightlife, food, and hiking.

Helsinki and Phoenix: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Helsinki or Phoenix?

Both Phoenix and Helsinki have plenty of things to do for visitors. Both offer a variety of sights, activities, and attractions for tourists. Helsinki is more popular for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Phoenix is known for its hiking. Helsinki is more touristy than Phoenix and is known for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Phoenix is popular for its desert landscapes, high number of golf courses, and year round warm weather.

How is Helsinki different from Phoenix?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Helsinki is a great city for its historical sights. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its sights and museums.

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.

Phoenix is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. You'll find art, science, and cultural museums around town. Favorites include the Heard Museum, the Phoenix Art Museum, S'edav Va'aki Museum, and the Arizona Science Museum.

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

Foodies will find both Helsinki and Phoenix both to be good destinations.

Helsinki has a delicious restaurant scene that relies on local flavors. 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.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Phoenix area. There are many mom-and-pop shops around town that serve everything from casual meals to quality steaks. There's also a huge selection of Mexican restaurants, as well as other international options such as sushi, dim sum, and Italian.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix Better for Nightlife?

The good nightlife scene is relatively similar in Helsinki and Phoenix.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Helsinki. 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.

Phoenix has an active nightlife scene for those who seek it out. The best nightlife scene is found in downtown and central Phoenix. There are bars, restaurants, and venues where you can catch a show. North Phoenix also has grown into a popular evening spot with cocktail bars and pubs.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix Better for Hiking?

Phoenix is a city with good options for its hiking trails. However, Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Plenty of visitors go hiking around Phoenix. You don't have to head far out of town for impressive hiking opportunities. You'll find trails that range from easy to challenging, and many pass through other-worldly landscapes. You'll find popular trails in Usery Mountain Regional Park, Papago Park, White Tank Mountain Regional Park, South Mountain Park and many others.

Helsinki is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Helsinki or Phoenix?

Helsinki is a great city for its shopping areas. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in 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.

Phoenix is a great destination for shopping. There are plenty of shopping centers, outlets, and malls where you'll find the standard chain stores. You'll also find farmer's markets around town.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix Better for Families?

Helsinki is a great city for its kid-friendly activities. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its family-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do in Helsinki. 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.

Phoenix is a family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the Phoenix Zoo, the Arizona Science Center, the SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium, and the Bearizona Wildlife Park. There's also a number of parks and gardens as well as a children's museum and several other interactive museums for kids.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix Better for Couples?

Helsinki is a great city for couples. Also, Phoenix is not as popular, but is still a nice city for romance.

Helsinki is a great city if you're traveling as 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.

Phoenix is a nice destination for couples. There are many parks and gardens in town as well as beautiful hikes and outdoor activities that couples will enjoy. In the evening, there's theater, shows, and many romantic restaurants.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Helsinki is a city with good options for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Phoenix is not known 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.

Phoenix is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. There is a hostel or two around town for budget travelers.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix Better for Students?

Helsinki is a great city for its student-friendly activities. However, Phoenix is not popular with 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.

Phoenix is not popular with students.

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

Helsinki is a great city for times when you don't have a car. However, Phoenix is not known for its public transit.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Helsinki. Transit options include bus, tram, metro, commuter train and ferry services.

Public transit is generally limited in Phoenix. There's a bus and light rail system, but you really need your own vehicle to get around.

Is Helsinki or Phoenix a more walkable city?

Helsinki is a city with good options for its ease of walking around. However, Phoenix is not known for its walkability.

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

Phoenix is generally not very walkable. It's a sprawling city and the only real area that's walkable is the downtown.

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

Should I spend more time in Phoenix or Helsinki?

How long in Helsinki or Phoenix?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Helsinki and Phoenix. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Helsinki than in Phoenix. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Helsinki, and 1-3 days is enough time in Phoenix.

Families should spend more time in Helsinki than Phoenix. 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 Phoenix. 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

In Helsinki, you'll find nightlife and food. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

The city of Phoenix offers food and shopping. With all of its activities, you can easily fill one day here. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Helsinki or Phoenix?

In Helsinki, you'll find food and shopping. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Helsinki has to offer.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Helsinki or Phoenix?

Helsinki is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Phoenix 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 Phoenix?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Helsinki. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Phoenix is a great place to explore. 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 Phoenix, we can see that Phoenix 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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Phoenix 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 Phoenix Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Phoenix?

Phoenix has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Phoenix, 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 Phoenix?

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 Phoenix in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Phoenix. The summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences. Furthermore, the hiking and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Phoenix this time of year.

Phoenix can become quite hot in the summer. In the summer, Helsinki is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the summer temperatures in Helsinki in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Phoenix averages at about 98°F (36°C).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Phoenix this time of the year. In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 380 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.8 inches (21 mm) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Helsinki or Phoenix in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Phoenix. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Phoenix for the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In October, Helsinki is generally much colder than Phoenix. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 6°C (42°F), and Phoenix fluctuates around 79°F (26°C).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Phoenix. In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 305 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Phoenix. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Helsinki or Phoenix in the Winter?

Both Phoenix and Helsinki are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Phoenix in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. Helsinki is much colder than Phoenix in the winter. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Phoenix fluctuates around 58°F (14°C).

It's quite sunny in Phoenix. Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Phoenix during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Phoenix receives 254 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Helsinki usually receives more rain than Phoenix. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.7 inches (17 mm) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Helsinki or Phoenix in the Spring?

Both Phoenix and Helsinki during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Helsinki is much colder than Phoenix. Typically, the spring temperatures in Helsinki in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Phoenix averages at about 74°F (23°C).

In Phoenix, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Phoenix. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Phoenix receives 355 hours of full sun.

Helsinki usually gets more rain in April than Phoenix. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Phoenix receives 0.2 inches (6 mm) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Phoenix and Helsinki