Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Porvoo?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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: Porvoo or Zurich?
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.
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 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 €132Zurich €251
The average daily cost (per person) in Porvoo is €132, 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 Porvoo and Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personPorvoo €69Zurich €159
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomPorvoo €138Zurich €318
Compare Hotels in Porvoo and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Porvoo 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: Porvoo Hotel Prices and Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Porvoo €56Zurich €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 Porvoo or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 €30Zurich €58
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
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.Porvoo €21Zurich €33
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 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 dayPorvoo €9.93Zurich €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 Porvoo and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 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 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Porvoo or Zurich?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Porvoo. When comparing the sizes of Porvoo 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 Porvoo 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 Porvoo or Zurich in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Porvoo as well as Zurich. Additionally, the music scene and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
In the summer, Porvoo is cooler than Zurich. Typically, the summer temperatures in Porvoo in July average around 17°C (62°F), and Zurich averages at about 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 Porvoo this time of the year. In the summer, Porvoo often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Porvoo gets 275 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.
Porvoo usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Porvoo gets 58 mm (2.3 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 JulyPorvoo 17°C (62°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Zurich in the Autumn?
Both Zurich and Porvoo 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.
In October, Porvoo is generally much colder than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Porvoo average around 6°C (42°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Porvoo usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Porvoo gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Porvoo usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zurich. Porvoo gets 71 mm (2.8 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 OctoberPorvoo 6°C (42°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Zurich in the Winter?
Both Zurich and Porvoo 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 Porvoo. Porvoo is much colder than Zurich in the winter. The daily temperature in Porvoo averages around -6°C (21°F) in January, and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Porvoo often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Porvoo gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.
Porvoo usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Porvoo gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryPorvoo -6°C (21°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Porvoo or Zurich in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Porvoo and Zurich. Also, most visitors come to Zurich for the natural beauty during these months.
Porvoo can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Porvoo is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the spring temperatures in Porvoo in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Zurich averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Porvoo usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Porvoo gets 183 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Porvoo usually receives less rain than Zurich. Porvoo gets 41 mm (1.6 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 AprilPorvoo 3°C (37°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Porvoo
| Porvoo | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.