A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kaunas vs. Turku for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kaunas or Turku?

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 Turku. 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.

Where Should I go: Kaunas or Turku?

Kaunas

Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.

Turku

Turku, a city on the southwest coast of Finland, straddles the Aura River. Dating from the 13th century, it's known for Turku Castle, a medieval fortress with a history museum, perched at the river mouth. Restaurants line the cobbled riverside streets. On the eastern bank lies the Old Great Square, a former trade hub, surrounded by grand buildings. The nearby Turku Cathedral houses a royal tomb and a museum. The historic castle and cathedral point to the city's rich cultural history when it was the Finnish capital, and contemporary Turku is full of experimental art and vibrant festivals, thanks in part to its spirited university population (the country's second largest), who make Turku's nightlife young and fun. As the first city many visitors encounter arriving by ferry from Sweden and Aland, it's a splendid introduction to the Finnish mainland.

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

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Turku, we can see that Turku 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku 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 Turku Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Turku?

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

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 Turku in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Turku. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Kaunas is generally around the same temperature as Turku. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 18°C (64°F), and Turku fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Turku. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kaunas this time of the year. In the summer, Kaunas often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Turku. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 262 hours of full sun.

Kaunas usually gets more rain in July than Turku. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Turku in the Autumn?

Both Turku and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Kaunas for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene during these months.

Kaunas is a little warmer than Turku in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 8°C (46°F) in October, and Turku fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

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

In October, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Turku. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kaunas or Turku in the Winter?

Both Turku and Kaunas during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

It's quite cold in Turku in the winter. The weather in Kaunas can be very cold. In the winter, Kaunas is a little warmer than Turku. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kaunas in January average around -5°C (23°F), and Turku averages at about -6°C (20°F).

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

Kaunas usually gets less rain in January than Turku. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kaunas or Turku in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Turku. The activities around the city are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In April, Kaunas is generally much warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around 7°C (44°F), and Turku fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Kaunas usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Turku during spring. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Turku. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Turku and Kaunas