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

Should you visit Tampere or Flam?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Flam can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Flam?

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

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 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and Flam, we can see that Tampere 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere 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 Tampere Expensive? and Is Flam Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Tampere or Flam?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 410 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Tampere 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 Tampere 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 Tampere or Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In July, Tampere is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 16°C (61°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In July, Tampere usually receives less rain than Flam. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Tampere or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Tampere during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Flam because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

Tampere is much colder than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 5°C (42°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Tampere usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Flam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Flam. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

It's quite cold in Flam in the winter. The weather in Tampere can be very cold. In the winter, Tampere is much colder than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Tampere in January average around -7°C (19°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Tampere usually receives less rain than Flam. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Tampere or Flam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Flam. Additionally, many travelers come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tampere in the spring. In April, Tampere is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 3°C (38°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Tampere usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Tampere