Should you visit Turku or Alesund?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Alesund, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
Which city is cheaper, Alesund or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €109, while the average daily cost in Alesund is €88. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Turku and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Turku can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €61, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €122.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around €47. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Alesund the cost is €94 on average.
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Turku than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €35 on transportation in Turku on average per day.
The cost of a taxi ride in Alesund is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent €23 per person, per day, on local transportation in Alesund.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Turku (TKU) to City Center to Airport - Private Transfer:
$68
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Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre:
$83
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Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport:
$83
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
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Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund city centre to Aalesund airport:
$154
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Turku 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 in Turku costs travelers about €26 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about €27 per day in Alesund for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Turku €26
Alesund €27
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Turku, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €18 per day, per person.
Entertainment and activities in Alesund typically cost an average of €14 per person, per day. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
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Romantic tour in Turku:
$496
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The best of Turku walking tour:
$496
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City Highlights Walking Tour with Local Guide:
$544
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2-Hour Romantic Guided Walking Tour:
$544
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Christmas Magic Walking Tour:
$797
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
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Adventure on a B bird island – private Bird watching tour including lunch:
$1,334
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Alesund Architecture-Themed Kayak Tour:
$86
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Alesund Private tour Medieval Village Sunnmore, 3 hours:
$495
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Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour:
$106
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Alesund Sightseeing for Hurtigruten passengers:
$311
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Alesund Sightseeing tour Vikings islands by minibus, 4 hours. Private tour:
$1,180
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An amazing walking tour of Art Nouveau town Alesund:
$800
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Chase a troll on a private tour through the picturesque fjord towns:
$2,267
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City Sightseeing Alesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$41
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Cruise Special: Geiranger to Bergen, The Scenic Mountain route:
$844
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E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund:
$146
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Fjordcruise Ålesund Geirangerfjord Ålesund "3fjords3hours":
$165
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Turku, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €9.35.
The average person spends about €11 on alcoholic beverages in Alesund per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Alesund, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Alesund much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alesund would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alesund 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 Alesund.
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