Which place is cheaper, Zermatt or Porvoo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Porvoo or Zermatt?
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 Zermatt. 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 Zermatt?
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.
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
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 Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayPorvoo €132Zermatt €209
The average daily cost (per person) in Porvoo is €132, while the average daily cost in Zermatt is €209. 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 Zermatt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPorvoo €69Zermatt €118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPorvoo €138Zermatt €236
Compare Hotels in Porvoo and Zermatt
Looking for a hotel in Porvoo or Zermatt? 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: Porvoo Hotel Prices and Zermatt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Porvoo €56Zermatt €50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- Zermatt to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Zermatt Tasch Station: $1,087
- Cervinia, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $127
- Breuil-Cervinia to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP-Departure Transfer: $118
- 3-Hour Private Transfer from Zermatt and Saa to Geneva Airport: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Porvoo or Zermatt?
Prices for flights to both Zermatt 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
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Food Meals for one dayPorvoo €30Zermatt €53
Typical Food Prices in Porvoo
For Porvoo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Lunch for 2€42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zermatt
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zermatt.
- Evening Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Porvoo €21Zermatt €53
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 Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Basel Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $885
- Basel: Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tour: $1,067
- Bern Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $856
- Bern Private Tour: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise: $801
- Bern: Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tour: $984
- From Basel: Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Tour: $530
- From Bern: Zermatt Guided Tour with Matterhorn Railway Pass: $530
- From Zurich: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise Private Tour: $885
- Interlaken Private Tour to Gornergrat & Matterhorn Paradise: $1,026
- Interlaken Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $843
- Interlaken Private Tour: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise: $801
- Majestic Hiking Private Tour in Zermatt with pick up: $1,692
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayPorvoo €9.93Zermatt €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Zermatt
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
- Wine Tasting in Valais: $84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Porvoo and Zermatt, we can see that Zermatt 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt 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 Zermatt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Zermatt?
Porvoo has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo and Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?
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 Zermatt in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Zermatt. Additionally, many visitors come to Zermatt in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Porvoo is cooler than Zermatt in the summer. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Zermatt fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Porvoo this time of the year. In the summer, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Zermatt. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 250 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Zermatt. Porvoo usually gets less rain in July than Zermatt. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyPorvoo 17°C (62°F)Zermatt 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Zermatt in the Autumn?
Both Zermatt and Porvoo are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Zermatt for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Porvoo is much colder than Zermatt. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Porvoo in October average around 6°C (42°F), and Zermatt averages at about 15°C (58°F).
Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during autumn. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. In October, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberPorvoo 6°C (42°F)Zermatt 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Zermatt in the Winter?
Both Zermatt and Porvoo during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Zermatt can be very cold. Porvoo can be very cold during winter. In January, Porvoo is generally much colder than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around -6°C (21°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Porvoo often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 119 hours of full sun.
Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Zermatt. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPorvoo -6°C (21°F)Zermatt 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Zermatt in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Zermatt. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year.
The weather in Porvoo can be very cold. Porvoo is much colder than Zermatt in the spring. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Zermatt fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Porvoo usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zermatt during spring. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilPorvoo 3°C (37°F)Zermatt 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zermatt and Porvoo
| Porvoo | Zermatt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.