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

Should you visit Porvoo or Salzburg?

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 Salzburg. 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 Salzburg?

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.

Salzburg

Most people know of Salzburg from its roll in the infamous movie "The Sound of Music." Every child who fell in love with this movie knows the gazebo scene in the rain, or could sing "My Favorite Things" as they skip down the Salzach River, but once you get past the obvious cliches, you can see that Salzburg is a city with a lot of depth and culture aside from the movie.

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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Austria, and The Best 10-Day Tours in Austria.


Which place is cheaper, Salzburg or Porvoo?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Porvoo is €132, while the average daily cost in Salzburg is €155. 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 Porvoo and Salzburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Porvoo 69
    Salzburg 91
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Porvoo 138
    Salzburg 182
Compare Hotels in Porvoo and Salzburg

Looking for a hotel in Porvoo or Salzburg? 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.

Hotels in Porvoo


Hotels in Salzburg


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: Porvoo Hotel Prices and Salzburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Porvoo 56
    Salzburg 19

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Salzburg

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Salzburg:

  • Salzburg Train Station Arrival Transfer: $109
  • Salzburg Private Transfer from Salzburg Airport to City centre: $55
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Van: $93
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg to Salzburg Airport SZG in Luxury Car: $108
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Luxury Van: $93
  • Salzburg Airport Transfers : Salzburg Airport SZG to Salzburg in Business Car: $90
  • Salzburg Airport SZG to Saalbach Hinterglemm Round Trip Transfer: $131
  • Salzburg Airport SZG to Kitzbühel Arrival Private Transfer: $147
  • Salzburg Airport Private Departure Transfer: $109
  • Salzburg Airport Private Arrival Transfer: $65
  • Salzburg Airport (SZG) to SkiWelt - Arrival Private Transfer: $71
  • Private transfer: Salzburg to Salzburg Airport (SZG): $65

Is it cheaper to fly into Porvoo or Salzburg?

Prices for flights to both Salzburg and Porvoo 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Porvoo 30
    Salzburg 41
Typical Food Prices in Porvoo

For Porvoo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for 2
    42

Typical Food Prices in Salzburg

Some typical examples of dining costs in Salzburg are as follows:


  • Lunch Salad
    9.00

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Salzburg

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Salzburg.

  • Cookies and Apple Strudel Cooking Class Including Lunch: $59
  • Austrian Apple Strudel Cooking Class including Lunch in Salzburg: $60
  • Best of Mozart Fortress Concert and Dinner: $81
  • Best of Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $83
  • Mozart Concert with Dinner: $83
  • Dinner Cooking Class and Music: $84
  • Mozart Dinner Concert in Salzburg: $85
  • Dinner Cooking Class - Prezels, Dumplings, Apple Strudel & Music: $86
  • Dinner and Classical Concert at Mirabell Palace: $94
  • Cruise, Dinner & Fortress Concert: $106
  • Mozart Concert and Dinner or VIP Dinner at Fortress Salzburg with River Cruise: $111
  • Best of Mozart Concert and GOLDEN VIP Dinner at Fortress Hohensalzburg: $133

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Porvoo 21
    Salzburg 30

Tours and Activities in Porvoo

For Porvoo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Private Tour: Porvoo Exclusive Journey: $604

Tours and Activities in Salzburg

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Salzburg are as follows:

  • 2-Hour Private Salzburg City Highlights Tour: $272
  • 3 hour private walking tour - Salzburg: $176
  • 3-Night Salzburg Winter Package with City Highlights Tour: $240
  • 3D Exclusive VR-Tour: $321
  • 3D Unique VR-Tour: $29
  • A day in the life of Salzburg - Private tour with a local: $230
  • A taste of An audio tour through the birthplace of Mozart: $7.47
  • Amphibious Splash Tour on the Water and on the Land in Salzburg: $45
  • Austrian Lakes and Salzburg Private Tour from Vienna: $1,123
  • Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with Amphibious Splash Tour: $94
  • Best of Mozart Concert at Fortress Hohensalzburg with River Cruise: $71
  • Best of Salzburg 1-Hour Private Sightseeing Tour: $163

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Porvoo 9.93
    Salzburg 26

Typical Alcohol Prices in Salzburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Salzburg:


  • Beer
    3.70

Sample the Local Flavors in Salzburg

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Salzburg:

  • Stiegl Brewery Museum Entry Ticket & Beer Tasting: $16
  • Stiegl Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting: $24
  • Guided Wine Tasting in a Hidden Wine Bar: $36
  • Private Austrian Wine Tasting with a Pro-Sommelière: $185


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

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


Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Salzburg?

Salzburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo and Salzburg, 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 Salzburg?

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 Porvoo or Salzburg in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Salzburg. Additionally, most visitors come to Salzburg for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Porvoo is generally cooler than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 17°C (62°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Salzburg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porvoo this time of the year. In the summer, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Salzburg. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 227 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets less rain in July than Salzburg. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 91 mm (3.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Porvoo 17°C (62°F) 
    Salzburg 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Porvoo or Salzburg in the Autumn?

Both Salzburg and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Salzburg because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

Porvoo is much colder than Salzburg in the autumn. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 6°C (42°F) in October, and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Salzburg during autumn. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 108 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Porvoo usually receives more rain than Salzburg. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Porvoo 6°C (42°F) 
    Salzburg 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Porvoo or Salzburg in the Winter?

Both Salzburg and Porvoo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Salzburg this time of year.

It's quite cold in Salzburg in the winter. The weather in Porvoo can be very cold. In the winter, Porvoo is much colder than Salzburg. Typically, the winter temperatures in Porvoo in January average around -6°C (21°F), and Salzburg averages at about -0°C (31°F).

In the winter, Porvoo often gets less sunshine than Salzburg. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Salzburg receives 44 hours of full sun.

Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Salzburg. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Porvoo -6°C (21°F) 
    Salzburg -0°C (31°F)

Should I visit Porvoo or Salzburg in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Salzburg. Also, many travelers come to Salzburg for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Porvoo in the spring. In April, Porvoo is generally much colder than Salzburg. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 3°C (37°F), and Salzburg fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

Porvoo usually receives more sunshine than Salzburg during spring. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Salzburg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Salzburg. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Salzburg receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Porvoo 3°C (37°F) 
    Salzburg 11°C (51°F)

Typical Weather for Salzburg and Porvoo

Porvoo Salzburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (21°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) -0°C (31°F) 56 mm (2.2 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 2°C (36°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 34 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 11°C (51°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Jun 15°C (59°F) 40 mm (1.6 in) 18°C (65°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 20°C (68°F) 91 mm (3.6 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 72 mm (2.8 in) 19°C (67°F) 93 mm (3.6 in)
Sep 11°C (51°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 71 mm (2.8 in) 11°C (52°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 5°C (42°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -4°C (26°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 1°C (35°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)