Which place is cheaper, Basel or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turku or Basel?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Basel, 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: Turku or Basel?
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.
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €136Basel €221
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Basel is €221. 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 Turku and Basel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Basel €134
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Basel €268
Compare Hotels in Turku and Basel
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Basel? 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: Turku Hotel Prices and Basel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Basel €43
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $73
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
- One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,112
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Private Transfer: Basel Airport BSL to Zurich in Luxury Van: $261
- Private Transfer from Basel to Zurich with 3h Sightseeing Stops: $251
- Private transfer from Basel to Strasbourg with a local driver: $233
- Private Transfer From Basel To Bern With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $224
- Private Direct Transfer from Basel to Zurich: $205
- Private One-way Transfer From Basel to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $186
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Lucerne with a local driver: $177
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Car: $157
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $108
- ONE WAY: Basel Train Station (ZDH) to / from Basel transfer: $88
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Basel?
Prices for flights to both Basel 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
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Food Meals for one dayTurku €32Basel €57
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Basel €35
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $131
- Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $133
- Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $310
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $523
- Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $659
- Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $766
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- Alpine Majesty: Basel to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $821
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Basel: $650
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Basel : Old Town Walking Tour: $107
- Basel : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Local Guide: $82
- Basel Adventure Tour - The city quiz: $37
- Basel City Sightseeing Bus Tour: $27
- Basel City: Private guided Segway Tour: $196
- Basel Family Adventure: Exploring Historic & Artistic Gems: $543
- Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
- Basel History Tour for Groups: $328
- Basel Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Basel €31
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Meet People and Hidden Bars and Clubs: $33
- Pinot Noir & Pinot Wine Tour to Baden-Württemberg: $279
- Fantastic, full day, private wine tour to Alsace!: $285
- Half Day Private Cheese & Wine Tasting in Vineyard in Basel: $289
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Turku much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Turku would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Turku 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Turku.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Basel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Basel?
Turku has a larger population, and is about 7% larger than the population of Basel. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Basel, 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 Turku or Basel?
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 Turku or Basel in the Summer?
Both Basel and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Basel this time of year.
Turku is cooler than Basel in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Basel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets more sunshine than Basel. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in July than Basel. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Basel 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Turku or Basel in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Basel. Furthermore, many travelers come to Basel for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Basel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Basel averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Turku usually receives less sunshine than Basel during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Turku usually receives around the same amount of rain as Basel. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Basel 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Turku or Basel in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Basel. Additionally, many visitors come to Basel in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Basel can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Basel fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Basel. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in January than Basel. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Basel 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Turku or Basel in the Spring?
Both Basel and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the natural beauty during these months.
Turku can get quite cold in the spring. Turku is much colder than Basel in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Turku usually receives more sunshine than Basel during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Basel. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Basel 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Basel and Turku
| Turku | Basel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 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.