A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Porvoo vs. Flam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Porvoo or Flam?

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 Porvoo and Flam. 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: Porvoo or Flam?

Porvoo

Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porvoo and Flam, we can see that Porvoo is more expensive. And not only is Flam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flam 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 Porvoo would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Porvoo than you might in Flam.

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

Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Flam?

Porvoo has a larger population, and is about 90 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo and Flam, 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 Porvoo or Flam?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Porvoo or Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Flam. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

Porvoo is a little warmer than Flam in the summer. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Flam. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Porvoo or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Flam. Additionally, many travelers come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Porvoo is much colder than Flam. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porvoo in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Flam averages at about 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Porvoo usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Porvoo or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Flam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Porvoo. In January, Porvoo is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around -6°C (21°F), and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Flam. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Porvoo or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Porvoo during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Porvoo can get quite cold in the spring. Porvoo is much colder than Flam in the spring. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Porvoo usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Porvoo