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

Should you visit Tallinn or Turku?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Tallinn or Turku, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Where Should I go: Tallinn or Turku?

Tallinn

Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, is located on the southern coast of the Gulf of Finland. It has a population of more than 430,000 people and is a charming, yet cosmopolitan place to visit. The Old Town is at the center of the city's tourism, and the beauty and architecture is very impressive. The city's close proximity to Helsinki makes it a popular day trip from Finland, but cheap plane flights have also encouraged visitors from around Europe to spend several days in this city. In particular, summer months can become quite crowded.

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 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, and The Best Adventure Tours to Finland.


Which place is cheaper, Turku or Tallinn?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Tallinn is €95, while the average daily cost in Turku is €136. 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 Tallinn and Turku in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tallinn 47
    Turku 76
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tallinn 94
    Turku 152
Compare Hotels in Tallinn and Turku

Looking for a hotel in Tallinn or Turku? 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 Tallinn


Hotels in Turku


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: Tallinn Hotel Prices and Turku Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tallinn 12
    Turku 44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Tallinn

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Tallinn:


  • Tram Around Town for Two
    1.66

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tallinn

Also for Tallinn, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • From Helicopter transfer to Helsinki: $2,637
  • Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer: $124
  • Tallinn Party Bus Airport Transfer: $124
  • Tallinn Arrival Private Airport Transfer in Minivan: $117
  • Tallinn Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Tallinn hotels: $101
  • Tallinn Lennart Meri Airport (TLL): Transfer to Tallinn Port: $101
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Tallinn Airport or Port to Tallinn City by minibus: $91
  • Arrival Private Transfer from Tallinn Airport or Port to Tallinn by Luxury Car : $90
  • Departure private transfer from Tallinn to Tallinn Airport or Port by Luxury Car: $90
  • Tallinn Airport Transfer - Return: $87
  • Beginner Archery Class with Transfer: $80
  • Tallinn Limo Airport Transfer: $75

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,104
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $73

Is it cheaper to fly into Tallinn or Turku?

Prices for flights to both Turku and Tallinn 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
    Tallinn 36
    Turku 32
Typical Food Prices in Tallinn

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


  • Lunch for Two
    7.68
  • Dessert
    1.15

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tallinn

For Tallinn, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tallinn TV Tower evening dinner (2-course meal): $55
  • Tallinn TV Tower evening dinner (3-course meal): $63
  • Tallinn Russian Dinner: $84
  • Tallinn Beer House Dinner: $96
  • Tallinn Food Tour: $115
  • Tallinn 3-Hour Estonian Food Tour: $126
  • Tallinn Food Tour with Round-trip Transfer Port-City: $136

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tallinn 5.63
    Turku 22

Tours and Activities in Tallinn

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

  • "Legends and Landmarks: A Tallinn Walking Adventure": $21
  • 1-Hour Good Morning Tallinn Running Tour: $17
  • 120 Degrees daily guided walking tour: $27
  • 2 Hour Tales of Tallinn Private Car Tour: $65
  • 2 Hour Tallinn Old Town Walking Tour: $196
  • 2-Hour Guided Walking Tour of Tallinn: $49
  • 3-Hour Private Tour of Tallinn: $293
  • Accessible tour in Tallinn: $735
  • Aegna Island: Self-Guided Discovery Tour: $8.51
  • Alcohol Tasting Tour In Tallinn: $64
  • All-in-One Tallinn - See stunning Estonian Capital from a Cruise Ship or Hotel: $78
  • All-in-One Tallinn Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships: $72

Tours and Activities in Turku

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.

  • Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $309
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $131
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $521
  • Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $132
  • Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $763
  • Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $656

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tallinn 15
    Turku 12

Sample the Local Flavors in Tallinn

Also in Tallinn, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Mad Monk’s Pub Crawl Tallinn: $21
  • Tallinn Pub Crawl (Ex The Epic Bar Crawl): $27
  • Tallinn Exclusive Pub & Bar Crawl - Free Drinks, Local Guide: $42
  • Tallinn Brewery Fiesta: $72
  • Tallinn Guided Bar Crawl: $123


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tallinn and Turku, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Tallinn much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tallinn would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tallinn 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 Tallinn.

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


Which is Bigger, Tallinn or Turku?

Tallinn has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Tallinn 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 Tallinn or Turku?

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 Tallinn or Turku in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tallinn and Turku. The summer months attract visitors to Tallinn because of the family-friendly experiences.

Tallinn is around the same temperature as Turku in the summer. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Turku fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Turku this time of the year. In Tallinn, it's very sunny this time of the year. Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Turku during summer. Tallinn gets 279 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 262 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Tallinn gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tallinn 17°C (62°F) 
    Turku 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Tallinn or Turku in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Tallinn as well as Turku. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tallinn this time of year.

In the autumn, Tallinn is a little warmer than Turku. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tallinn in October average around 7°C (44°F), and Turku averages at about 6°C (43°F).

In the autumn, Tallinn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Turku. Tallinn gets 92 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 90 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Turku. Tallinn gets 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tallinn 7°C (44°F) 
    Turku 6°C (43°F)

Should I visit Tallinn or Turku in the Winter?

Both Turku and Tallinn are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Tallinn for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Turku can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Tallinn. In January, Tallinn is generally a little warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Tallinn average around -5°C (22°F), and Turku fluctuates around -6°C (20°F).

Tallinn usually receives less sunshine than Turku during winter. Tallinn gets 25 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Tallinn usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Tallinn gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tallinn -5°C (22°F) 
    Turku -6°C (20°F)

Should I visit Tallinn or Turku in the Spring?

Both Turku and Tallinn during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tallinn in the spring for the natural beauty.

Turku can be very cold during spring. Tallinn can get quite cold in the spring. Tallinn is a little warmer than Turku in the spring. The daily temperature in Tallinn averages around 4°C (39°F) in April, and Turku fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the spring, Tallinn often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Turku. Tallinn gets 186 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 182 hours of full sun.

Tallinn usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Turku. Tallinn gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tallinn 4°C (39°F) 
    Turku 3°C (37°F)

Typical Weather for Turku and Tallinn

Tallinn Turku
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -5°C (22°F) 45 mm (1.8 in) -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in)
Feb -6°C (22°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Mar -2°C (29°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Apr 4°C (39°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
May 10°C (50°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 53 mm (2.1 in) 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Jul 17°C (62°F) 79 mm (3.1 in) 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Aug 16°C (60°F) 84 mm (3.3 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 82 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 7°C (44°F) 70 mm (2.8 in) 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)
Nov 1°C (34°F) 68 mm (2.7 in) 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Dec -3°C (27°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in)