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

Should you visit Tampere or Kiel?

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 Kiel can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Kiel, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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

Which is Bigger, Tampere or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Tampere and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Tampere or Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Kiel. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Tampere is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tampere this time of the year. In the summer, Tampere often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Tampere gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

In the autumn, Tampere is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tampere in October average around 5°C (42°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Tampere usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Tampere gets 81 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Tampere usually receives less rain than Kiel. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tampere or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Tampere during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kiel. It's quite cold in Tampere in the winter. In January, Tampere is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around -7°C (19°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Tampere often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Tampere gets 37 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Tampere usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tampere or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Kiel. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. Tampere is much colder than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around 3°C (38°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Tampere usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Tampere gets 174 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tampere usually receives less rain than Kiel. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Tampere