Which place is cheaper, Bern or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turku or Bern?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Bern, 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 Bern?
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.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €136Bern €234
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Bern is €234. 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 Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Bern €151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Bern €302
Compare Hotels in Turku and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Bern? 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 Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Bern €31
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 Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern 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 €32Bern €56
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Bern €31
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 Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- 007 Elegance:Exclusive Private Tour to Schilthorn from Bern: $627
- Alpine Heights: Small Group Tour to Jungfraujoch from Bern: $592
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Bern : Highlights & Hidden Gems Walking Tour: $80
- Bern : Private Walking Tour with a Local Guide (Private tour): $59
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- Bern Historical UNESCO Old Town Private Tour: $161
- Bern Like a Local: Customized Private Tour: $60
- Bern Old City Walking Tour: $459
- Bern Old Town - Private Historic Walking Tour: $534
- Bern Private Walking Tour: $334
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Bern €25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Bern, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Bern?
Turku has a larger population, and is about 45% larger than the population of Bern. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Bern, 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 Bern?
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 Bern in the Summer?
Both Bern and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Turku is generally cooler than Bern. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and Bern fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Bern, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bern. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets more rain in July than Bern. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Turku or Bern in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Bern. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bern because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Turku is much colder than Bern in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Turku usually receives less sunshine than Bern during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Turku usually receives more rain than Bern. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Turku or Bern in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Bern. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bern this time of year.
It's quite cold in Bern in the winter. The weather in Turku can be very cold. In the winter, Turku is much colder than Bern. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Bern averages at about 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Bern. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in January than Bern. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Turku or Bern in the Spring?
Both Bern and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. In April, Turku is generally much colder than Bern. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and Bern fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Turku usually receives more sunshine than Bern during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Bern. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Turku
| Turku | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.