Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Kemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kemi or Zurich?
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 Kemi and Zurich. 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: Kemi or Zurich?
Kemi
Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKemi €134Zurich €251
The average daily cost (per person) in Kemi is €134, while the average daily cost in Zurich is €251. 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 Kemi and Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKemi €74Zurich €159
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKemi €148Zurich €318
Compare Hotels in Kemi and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Kemi or Zurich? 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: Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kemi €39Zurich €33
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)€27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- Zurich:Transfer and Ticket to Lindt Home of Chocolate Museum: $109
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- Private Transfer to/from Zurich Airport: $108
- One-Way Private Airport Transfer: $131
- 1-Way Private Transfer from the airport to Zurich: $188
- Zurich to Basel Private Direct Transfer: $205
- Zurich Private Airport and Hotels Transfer with Round-Trip: $149
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Zurich City: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to/from Lucerne: $251
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer to Greater Zurich Area: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer from Greater Zurich Area: $109
- Zurich Airport: Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Lucerne: $328
Is it cheaper to fly into Kemi or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich and Kemi 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 dayKemi €34Zurich €58
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2€13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kemi €29Zurich €33
Tours and Activities in Kemi
For Kemi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- SnowExperience365 Kemi entrance: $19
Tours and Activities in Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $627
- 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $224
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $101
- Adventure to Mount Pilatus Gold and Silver tour: $157
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $650
- Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $799
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $129
- Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $124
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
- Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $87
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKemi €12Zurich €27
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
- eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kemi and Zurich, we can see that Zurich is more expensive. And not only is Kemi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kemi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kemi 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich than you might in Kemi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kemi Expensive? and Is Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kemi or Zurich?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Kemi. When comparing the sizes of Kemi and Zurich, 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 Kemi or Zurich?
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 Kemi or Zurich in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Zurich. Additionally, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
Kemi is cooler than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zurich. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kemi this time of the year. In the summer, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Kemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.
Kemi usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKemi 15°C (60°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Zurich in the Autumn?
Both Zurich and Kemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Kemi in the autumn. In the autumn, Kemi is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Kemi usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Kemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Kemi usually receives less rain than Zurich. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKemi 2°C (36°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Zurich in the Winter?
Both Zurich and Kemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Zurich can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. In January, Kemi is generally much colder than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Kemi often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Kemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.
Kemi usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKemi -12°C (10°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Zurich in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Zurich. Also, most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months.
Kemi can get quite cold in the spring. Kemi is much colder than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Kemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Kemi usually receives less rain than Zurich. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKemi -1°C (31°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Kemi
| Kemi | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.