Which place is cheaper, Valparaiso or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Helsinki or Valparaiso?
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 Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso?
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.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso, often referred to as Valpo, is an attractive city on the Pacific Coast in Chile. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is only 120 kilometers west of Santiago. The city's main industries aside from tourism include shipping and petroleum refining.
Valparaiso is popular with travelers because of its bohemian culture and brightly colored homes. It also offers some wonderful views of the Pacific Ocean. Although the city is short on specific sights, the atmosphere and beautiful setting make it a wonderful place to visit.
Valparaiso has a mild Mediterranean climate that is comparable to San Francisco or Santa Barbara. The summer is dry but fog is common year around. Rain can be heavy during the winter season and snow falls occasionally in the highest parts of the city. Winds can also be strong during the winter months.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile.
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Helsinki Prices
Finland PricesValparaiso Prices
Chile Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayHelsinki €164Valparaiso €70
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €164, while the average daily cost in Valparaiso is €70. 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 Valparaiso in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personHelsinki €73Valparaiso €30
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomHelsinki €146Valparaiso €60
Compare Hotels in Helsinki and Valparaiso
Looking for a hotel in Helsinki or Valparaiso? 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 Valparaiso Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Helsinki €22Valparaiso €4.11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Minivan Departure Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL: $79
- Airport Transfer Helsinki Center: $108
- Airport Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki by Luxury Van: $109
- Airport Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL by Business Car: $107
- Arrival Transfer: Helsinki Airport HEL to Helsinki by MB Van: $109
- Departure Transfer: Helsinki to Airport HEL by Luxury Van: $114
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer : $70
- Helsinki Hotels to West Harbour Cruise Terminal - Deparure Private Transfer: $70
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $90
- Helsinki Private Arrival Airport Transfer: $213
- Helsinki Private Departure Airport Transfer: $213
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Taxi Ride€2.67
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Valparaiso
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Valparaiso:
- Valparaiso to Santiago Private Transfer or Santiago to Valparaiso: $142
- Transfers from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to Santiago: $120
- Small group transfer from Valparaiso/S.Antonio+Tour in Santiago: $140
- Private transfer from Valparaiso or Viña del Mar to San Antonio : $133
- Private Valparaiso Visit William Cole Winery & Transfer to Hotel: $270
- Private Transfer from Viña del Mar to Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) Airport: $260
- Private Transfer from Viña Del Mar or Valparaiso City Hotel To Santiago City: $89
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Hotel or port To Santiago Airport or Hotel: $110
- Private Transfer from Valparaiso Cruise Port to Santiago Hotels: $208
- Private Transfer Viña del Mar to Santiago Airport: $170
Is it cheaper to fly into Helsinki or Valparaiso?
Prices for flights to both Valparaiso 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 €59Valparaiso €33
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 Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $119
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $275
Typical Food Prices in Valparaiso
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Valparaiso:
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Empanada€1.60
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Valparaiso
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Valparaiso.
- Cooking Classes in Viña del Mar Learn to Make Tapas and Desserts: $65
- Learn to Cook Like a Local: Private Cooking Class in a Viña del Mar Home: $102
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Helsinki €27Valparaiso €15
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-based Tour of Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA - 2025: $3.61
- Tove Jansson's Helsinki Self Guided Tour: $11
- Helsinki Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour : $11
- Capital of Contrasts: A Self Guided Audio Tour in Helsinki: $15
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- Sightseeing Cruise in Archipelago of Helsinki: $32
- Helsinki Canal Cruise: $33
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour: $42
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
- Helsinki Panorama Sightseeing Audio-Guided Bus Tour: $43
- Adventure Day: $48
- Explore Tallinn: Self-Guided Day Cruise from Helsinki: $49
Typical Entertainment Prices in Valparaiso
Here are a few typical costs in Valparaiso for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Boat Tour€3.56
Tours and Activities in Valparaiso
Here are a few actual costs in Valparaiso for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- 2 Hour Walking Tour in Valparaiso: $35
- Explore Valparaíso and Viña del Mar Tour: $58
- Famous Valparaíso! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Famous Viña del Mar! Premium Walking Tour with a Native Guide: $40
- Full Day Private Walking Tour with a Native Guide & Public Transport: $120
- Full-Day Tour of Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca & Concón: $180
- Gastronomic Tour in Valparaiso: $189
- Guided Panoramic Tour in Valparaíso: $40
- Half-Day Chilean Pacific Coast Tour: Viña del Mar, Reñaca and Concón: $112
- Half-Day Valparaiso City Highlights Tour: $112
- Horse Ride & BBQ in Ritoque Beach&Dunes FROM VALPO. Private Tour: $298
- Isla Negra Museum & CasaBlanca Winery From Valpo. Private Tour: $299
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayHelsinki €16Valparaiso €6.62
Typical Alcohol Prices in Valparaiso
Some typical examples of the costs for nightlife and alcohol in Valparaiso are as follows:
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Beer€0.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Valparaiso
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Valparaiso:
- A Hop-On Hop-Off Wine Tour Service from Casablanca : $75
- Private Wine Tour in Valparaiso: $250
- Santiago: Valparaíso Walking Tour & Casablanca Wine Tasting: $320
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Valparaiso, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Valparaiso much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Helsinki is in Europe and Valparaiso is in South 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 Valparaiso would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Valparaiso 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 Valparaiso.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Helsinki Expensive? and Is Valparaiso Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Helsinki or Valparaiso?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 98% larger than the population of Valparaiso. When comparing the sizes of Helsinki and Valparaiso, 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.
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.