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

Should you visit Lulea or Turku?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lulea and Turku 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: Lulea or Turku?

Lulea

Lulea is in northern Sweden, in Norrbotten. It's a mid sized city with about 70,000 residents. It also has a technical university, the Lulea University of Technology, which was created in 1971. The city of Lulea is located at the mouth of Lule River on the Gulf of Bothnia. The city's economy is focused on research, education, trade and services. The university's educational programs appeal to new businesses that range from local companies to multinational corporations. There is also a prominant IT sector in the city.

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 Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Adventure Tours to Sweden, 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 Lulea and Turku, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Lulea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lulea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lulea 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 Lulea.

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

Which is Bigger, Lulea or Turku?

Turku has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Lulea. When comparing the sizes of Lulea 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 Lulea 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 Lulea or Turku in the Summer?

Both Turku and Lulea during the summer are popular places to visit.

In July, Lulea is generally around the same temperature as Turku. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around 15°C (60°F), and Turku fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Lulea. In the summer, Lulea often gets more sunshine than Turku. Lulea gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 262 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets less rain in July than Turku. Lulea gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lulea or Turku in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Lulea and Turku.

The weather in Lulea can be very cold. Lulea is much colder than Turku in the autumn. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Turku fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Lulea usually receives less sunshine than Turku during autumn. Lulea gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Lulea usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Lulea gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Lulea or Turku in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Lulea as well as Turku.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. It's quite cold in Lulea in the winter. In the winter, Lulea is much colder than Turku. Typically, the winter temperatures in Lulea in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Turku averages at about -6°C (20°F).

In the winter, Lulea often gets less sunshine than Turku. Lulea gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 39 hours of full sun.

Lulea usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Turku. Lulea gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Lulea or Turku in the Spring?

Both Turku and Lulea are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Turku can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lulea. In April, Lulea is generally much colder than Turku. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around -1°C (31°F), and Turku fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

Lulea usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Turku during spring. Lulea gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Lulea usually receives less rain than Turku. Lulea gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Turku and Lulea