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

Should you visit Kaunas or Helsinki?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Helsinki. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.

Kaunas

Kaunas is a vibrant, cultural, and active city. It's a large city, so you'll find plenty of things to do around town. Visitors also love the nightlife and food.

Helsinki

Helsinki is a coastal, environmentally conscious, and waterfront city. You'll find world class beauty here as well. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Kaunas and Helsinki: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Kaunas or Helsinki?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Kaunas than Helsinki. While Helsinki is larger than Kaunas, Kaunas has more sights and attractions for tourists. Kaunas is more popular for its historical sights and big city activities, while Helsinki is known for its museums, shopping, and impressive beauty. Helsinki is more touristy than Kaunas and is popular for its rich culture that includes traditional elements as well as an active subculture scene. Kaunas is popular for its traditional Lithuanian culture and authentic old town. It is also home to The Kaunas Old Town.

How is Kaunas different from Helsinki?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Helsinki and Kaunas. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Kaunas or Helsinki?

Helsinki is notable for its sights and museums. However, Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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.

Kaunas does not have museums and landmarks.

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at good restaurants in both Kaunas and Helsinki.

There are many up and coming restaurants in the Kaunas area. It is a great place to try traditional Lithuanian dishes as there are a number of good restaurants and an active restaurant scene. Popular local dishes include cepelinai potato dumplings and cold beetroot soup.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Helsinki. 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 Kaunas or Helsinki Better for Nightlife?

Evening events are good in both Kaunas and Helsinki.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Kaunas. The nightlife scene continues to improve with a growing number of bars and clubs. During the warmer months you'll find many places opening outdoor areas. The old town is one of the more lively areas in town where it's nice to enjoy a drink on a terrace.

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.

Is Kaunas or Helsinki Better for its Old Town?

Kaunas 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 Kaunas. The old town has tree-lined streets with charming cafes and a number of museums. It's also where you'll find the Kaunas Castle.

Helsinki does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Kaunas or Helsinki?

Helsinki is notable for its shopping areas. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for shopping.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity 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.

Kaunas is a good destination for shopping. The old town is the place to pick up souvenirs, but there are also shopping malls and outlets in the city.

Is Kaunas or Helsinki Better for Families?

Helsinki is notable for its family-friendly activities. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Helsinki is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Kaunas is a family-friendly city. The city has both outdoor and indoor areas that are fun for kids. Vienybės Square has fountains and splash areas that are fun for kids of all ages. Lampėdis Lake is a great place to swim or visit an adventure park. When the weather isn't great, you can head indoors to the the Kaunas Tadas Ivanauskas Zoological Museum or "CurioCity" in the Mega Mall.

Is Kaunas or Helsinki Better for Couples?

Helsinki is notable for couples. However, Kaunas is a mediocre city for romance.

Helsinki is a very popular place to visit for couples. 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.

Kaunas is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a number of historical sites as well as interesting restaurants that you can explore.

Is Kaunas or Helsinki Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Both Kaunas and Helsinki are good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of backpackers visit Kaunas. It's not a popular destination, but there are enough concerts and festivals throughout the year that it does see a few tourists.

Plenty of budget travelers visit Helsinki. 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.

Is Kaunas or Helsinki Better for Students?

Helsinki is notable for students. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its student-friendly activities.

Many students visit 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.

Plenty of students visit Kaunas. The city has a vibrant and young student population. It also hosts festivals, concerts, and other events that make it a fun destination for international students.

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

Helsinki is notable for its public transit. Also, Kaunas is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

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

Kaunas has some public transit options. There are both buses and trolleybuses around town.

Is Kaunas or Helsinki a more walkable city?

Kaunas and Helsinki both are good when exploring on foot.

Kaunas is a somewhat walkable city. When the weather is nice, the city is a nice place to take a walk.

Helsinki is somewhat walkable. 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 Kaunas Worth Visiting? and Is Helsinki Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Helsinki or Kaunas?

How long in Kaunas or Helsinki?

It's fun to spend time in either Kaunas or Helsinki. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Helsinki due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 1-2 days is a good amount of time for Kaunas, and 2-4 days is enough time in Helsinki.

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Helsinki than Kaunas 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 Kaunas or Helsinki?

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

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Helsinki. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Kaunas or Helsinki?

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

Helsinki is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Kaunas or Helsinki?

Kaunas 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Helsinki. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Kaunas or Helsinki?

Kaunas 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the active destination of Helsinki. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Kaunas.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Helsinki Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Helsinki?

Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Kaunas. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Helsinki, 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 Kaunas or Helsinki?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Kaunas or Helsinki in the Summer?

Both Helsinki and Kaunas during the summer are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).

In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kaunas. In the summer, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 275 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in July than Helsinki. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Helsinki in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Helsinki. The autumn months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.

Kaunas is a little warmer than Helsinki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Helsinki fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).

Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Helsinki during autumn. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Helsinki in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Helsinki. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. It's quite cold in Kaunas in the winter. In the winter, Kaunas is a little warmer than Helsinki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Helsinki averages at about -6°C (21°F).

In the winter, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 39 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Helsinki. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Helsinki in the Spring?

Both Helsinki and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the activities around the city. Also, many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty.

Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Kaunas is generally much warmer than Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of rain as Helsinki. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Helsinki and Kaunas