Should you visit Helsinki or Warsaw?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel cost comparison between Helsinki and Warsaw can help. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
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.
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.
Which city is cheaper, Warsaw or Helsinki?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Helsinki is €112, while the average daily cost in Warsaw is €71. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Helsinki and Warsaw in more detail.
Accommodation
Travelers usually pay around €118 for a double occupancy room in Helsinki If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Travelers usually pay around €88 for a double occupancy room in Warsaw If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
The average traveler spends about €27 per day in Helsinki for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
In Warsaw travelers spend around €16 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Helsinki €27
Warsaw €16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings:
$137
Typical Food prices in Warsaw
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:
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Dinner for Two
€12
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Lunch for Two
€9.37
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw
For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Lunch or Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line:
$22
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Traditional Polish Cooking Class in Warsaw:
$64
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Warsaw Food Tour small group tour by retro minibus:
$91
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Warsaw 6h Private Tour + Traditional Polish Dinner:
$118
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Nicolaus Copernicus Legacy: Private Tour from Warsaw to Torun + Polish Dinner:
$274
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Helsinki than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €18 on transportation in Helsinki on average per day.
To get around in Warsaw, the average visitor spends €3.12 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL):
$622
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Private Transfer: Helsinki-Malmi Airpor (HEM) to Helsinki:
$622
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Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki-Malmi Airpor (HEM):
$622
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Helsinki Private Panoramic Tour with Airport Transfer:
$375
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Helsinki Private Departure Airport Transfer:
$203
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Airport Private transfer via Marimekko & Iittala with Japanese Speaking Driver:
$195
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Private arrival OR departure transfer in Helsinki (airport or hotel pick up):
$185
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Helsinki airport transfer to all Helsinki area hotels:
$166
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Helsinki Airport Transfers: Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL in Luxury Van:
$113
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Helsinki Departure Private Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL:
$110
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Helsinki Private Transfer : Port of Helsinki to Helsinki City in Luxury Van:
$104
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Private Airport Transfer in Helsinki region:
$102
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Warsaw
Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Warsaw to Krakow VIP private transfer. Luxury car with driver & iPad.:
$255
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Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw city centre to Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI):
$85
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Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw city centre to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW):
$46
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Warsaw Modlin Airport Private Transfer 1-4:
$53
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Warsaw City / Warsaw Airports private Transfer-Krakow Balice Airport:
$192
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Warsaw Chopin Airport one way private transfer 5-8 PAX:
$41
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Warsaw Chopin Airport VIP transfer:
$46
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Warsaw Chopin Airport One Way Private Transfer:
$28
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Warsaw Chopin Airport Departure Transfer (Warsaw Hotels to Warsaw Airport):
$31
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Warsaw Chopin Airport Arrival Transfer (Airport to Warsaw Hotels or address):
$31
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Warsaw Chopin Airport - Ilawa City - Private Airport Transfer:
$166
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Warsaw Airport Transfers : Warsaw City to Warsaw Airport WAW in Luxury Van:
$63
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Helsinki, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €22 per day, per person.
In Warsaw, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €5.07 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2 Days tour to Moominworld and Turku Castle from Helsinki:
$955
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2-Hour Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Helsinki:
$274
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2-Hours Helsinki Professional Photography Walking Tour:
$70
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2-Hours Photogenic Helsinki Walking Tour with a Local:
$67
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3.5 Hour Helsinki Highlights Private Tour:
$350
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5-hour sightseeing in Helsinki and Winterworld:
$199
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Architecture Tour of Helsinki with a city planner:
$68
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Artificial Intelligence City Tour of Helsinki:
$37
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop On Hop Off Tour:
$37
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$37
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Classic style boating & Island experience with BBQ:
$187
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Daily Small Group Porvoo Tour:
$153
Tours and Activities in Warsaw
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.
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1-day tour from Warsaw to Kazimierz Dolny:
$179
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12 Day Private Tour of Poland with Hotels:
$3,390
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12-day tour around Poland by private car:
$4,591
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12-day tour around Poland by train:
$2,279
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13-Day Highlights of Poland Tour with Accommodation:
$2,190
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3 Day Rail Tour - Kraków, Poznań & Wrocław (Warsaw Return):
$710
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3 Hour VIP Warsaw Guided City Tour:
$348
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5 Day Rail Tour - Kraków, Wrocław & Poznań (Warsaw Return):
$840
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5 Hour Guided Warsaw Tour by Bike:
$88
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6 Day Private Tour in Poland with Hotels:
$1,950
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7 Day Rail Tour - Warsaw, Kraków, Wrocław & Poznań:
$970
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8-Day Highlights of Poland Tour with Accommodation:
$1,490
Alcohol
Typically, people visiting Helsinki spend on average €13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Warsaw, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €9.36.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Helsinki and Warsaw, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Warsaw much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Warsaw would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Warsaw 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 Warsaw.
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