Which place is cheaper, Toronto or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Helsinki or Toronto?
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 Toronto 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 Toronto?
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.
Toronto
The capital of Ontario and the most populated city in Canada, Toronto is a very popular travel destination for any number of reasons. It's positioned along the coast of Lake Ontario and has a population of more than 2.6 million with 6.2 million in the Greater Toronto Area. It's a very international and diverse city, with a very rich cultural history. More than half of the city's population was not born in Canada, and there are more than eighty different ethnic neighborhoods sprinkled throughout the city. The city is a center for music, theater, film, and television. It has countless museums, festivals, and sights that attract more than 25 million tourists every year.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Northern Lights Tours in Canada, and The Best Luxury Tours to Canada.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €139Toronto €190
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €139, while the average daily cost in Toronto is €190. 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 Toronto in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Toronto €80
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Toronto €160
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Toronto
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki or Toronto? 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 Toronto Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Toronto €30
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
- VIP Transfer Helsinki-Vantaa Airport to city in a Porsche Taycan: $137
- VIP Transfer HELSINKI: $147
- VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $152
- Private transfer from Helsinki Airport with Meet & Greet: $129
- Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port in Luxury Van: $93
- Private Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki in Luxury Van: $104
- Private Transfer: Cruise Port to Helsinki in Business Car: $92
- Private Transfer: Airport HEL to Helsinki in Business Car: $97
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $32
- PRIVATE Helsinki VIP Transfer: $147
- Private City Highlights Tour with Transfer: $743
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Toronto
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Toronto are as follows:
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Airport Shuttle€25
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Train: 2 Day Passes€15
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Toronto
Also for Toronto, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara on the Lake,Canada: $178
- Transfer Toronto,Canada (Downtown) to Niagara Falls, Canada: $178
- Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ to Niagara-on-the-Lake,Canada: $160
- Transfer Toronto Pearson International Airport YYZ to Niagara Falls, Canada: $160
- Transfer Private Vehicle from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls (Ontario): $145
- Transfer Private Minivan from Toronto Pearson Airport to Niagara Falls (Ontario): $159
- Shuttle Transfer Between Downtown and Niagara Falls: $111
- Private Transfer to Niagara Falls: $158
- Private Transfer for 1-10 Passengers to Downtown: $176
- Niagara Falls Day Trip with Wine Tasting & Transfer: $75
- Express Train Transfer to/from Pearson Airport: $9.03
- Toronto Private Pearson Airport Transfers to Niagara Falls: $141
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Toronto?
Prices for flights to both Toronto 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
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Food Meals for one dayHelsinki €34Toronto €61
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: $107
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $164
Typical Food Prices in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch at St. Lawrence Market for Two€22
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Dinner at Mill Street Brewery (for 2)€52
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Toronto
For Toronto, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Must Do Toronto Food Tour: $66
- Toronto Food Tour: Taste the World in Kensington Market: $66
- 3–Hour Secret Food Tour: $73
- Toronto Walking Food Tour With Secret Food Tours: $74
- Scenic Harbor Cruise with Lunch, Brunch, or Dinner: $76
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Kensington Market -Toronto's Neighborhood International Food Tour: $80
- Toronto's Fusion Food Tour: $80
- Father's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $90
- Mother's Day Premier Cruise with Brunch or Dinner: $93
- Toronto Premier Dinner Cruise on Odyssey in Toronto Harbour: $109
- Toronto Food Tour with Local Foodie, Personalized & Private: $152
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Toronto €29
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: $142
- 2-Hours Private Modern Boat Tour in Helsinki Archipelago: $284
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $98
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $21
- A Self-Guided Walking Tour of Helsinki's Historical Highlights: $7.99
- All-in-One Helsinki Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships: $1,049
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $107
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $163
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $37
- Cozy Guided City Tour: Helsinki & Porvoo: $97
- E-Bike rental / Self-Guided tour to Seurasaari: $52
- First Time in Helsinki Tour: $334
Typical Entertainment Prices in Toronto
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Toronto's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Art Gallery of Ontario for Two€14
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CN Tower at night for Two€33
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Harbour Dinner Cruise€24
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Bata Shoe Museum (2)€6.79
Tours and Activities in Toronto
For Toronto, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 1-Hour Private Guided Photography Tour in Toronto: $186
- 14-Minute Helicopter Tour Over Toronto: $200
- 2 Hour Toronto City Tour: $48
- 3-day Eastern Canada Tour from Toronto: $259
- 60-Minute Toronto Sightseeing Harbour Tour: $28
- 7-Minute Helicopter Tour over Toronto: $111
- Admission Ticket: Explore Canada in Miniature Scale: $34
- Algonquin Park Hiking: Adventure Tour from Toronto: $139
- Best of Niagara Falls Tour with Optional Boat and Helicopter Ride: $66
- Best of Toronto Small Group Tour with CN Tower and Harbour Cruise: $140
- Between Huntsville and Smartphone Audio Tour: $6.21
- Bus to Grotto - Tobermory Flowerpot Island Cruise Bruce Peninsula: $148
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Toronto €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Toronto
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Toronto:
- Distillery District Outdoor Escape Game: $8.07
- Distillery District Historic Walking Tour: $17
- Corktown and Distillery District Tour: $27
- Short Distillery District Segway Tour: $36
- Toronto : Distillery & Old Town Walking Tour With A Guide: $38
- Toronto Distillery District self-guided walking tour & hunt: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $38
- Pub Crawl Toronto: $39
- Distillery District Breakfast Walking Tour: $41
- Craft Brewery Tour: $88
- Canadian Wine Tasting Experience: $128
- From Niagara Wine Tours: $131
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Toronto, we can see that Toronto 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 Toronto 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 Toronto would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Toronto 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 Toronto Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Toronto?
Toronto has a larger population, and is about 8 times larger than the population of Helsinki. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Toronto, 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 Toronto?
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 Toronto in the Summer?
Both Toronto 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.
In July, Helsinki is generally cooler than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 17°C (62°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Toronto. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Helsinki. Helsinki usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto during summer. Helsinki gets 275 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 281 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Toronto. Helsinki gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyHelsinki 17°C (62°F)Toronto 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Toronto in the Autumn?
Both Toronto 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.
Helsinki is much colder than Toronto in the autumn. The daily temperature in Helsinki averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Toronto fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
In the autumn, Helsinki often gets less sunshine than Toronto. Helsinki gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 153 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets more rain in October than Toronto. Helsinki gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberHelsinki 6°C (42°F)Toronto 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Toronto in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Helsinki and Toronto. Many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Toronto can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. In the winter, Helsinki is much colder than Toronto. Typically, the winter temperatures in Helsinki in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Toronto averages at about -4°C (25°F).
Helsinki usually receives less sunshine than Toronto during winter. Helsinki gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Toronto receives 87 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Helsinki usually receives less rain than Toronto. Helsinki gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryHelsinki -6°C (21°F)Toronto -4°C (25°F)
Should I visit Helsinki or Toronto in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Helsinki as well as Toronto. Many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty.
Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Helsinki is generally much colder than Toronto. Daily temperatures in Helsinki average around 3°C (37°F), and Toronto fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Helsinki often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Toronto. Helsinki gets 183 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Toronto receives 179 hours of full sun.
Helsinki usually gets less rain in April than Toronto. Helsinki gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Toronto receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilHelsinki 3°C (37°F)Toronto 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Toronto and Helsinki
| Helsinki | Toronto | |||
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| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -1°C (30°F) | 75 mm (2.9 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.