A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Turku vs. Christchurch for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Turku or Christchurch?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?

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.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the largest city on the South Island of New Zealand, right beside the Canterbury Plains. Most people begin their South Island travels here. The city itself can be fascinating to explore so it is worth allowing yourself several days in town as an introduction to the region.

The River Avon flows through the city center, twisting through the old buildings. Christchurch is referred to in New Zealand as the Garden City and it is easy to see why. It's quite a nice city with trees spread throughout. The economy is centered around international tourism as well as foreign education. There is a high Asian student population here, giving the city a diverse feel.

Christchurch's climate is temperate and the city receives moderate rainfall. In January average high temperatures are around 73 degrees Fahrenheit with averages around 52 degrees Fahrenheit in July. There is a sea breeze during the summer months that keep temperatures pleasant. Temperatures can drop below freezing at night during the winter months. Snow may also fall several times a year.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best G Adventures Tours to New Zealand, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Auckland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Christchurch, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Christchurch much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe and Christchurch is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Christchurch would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Christchurch 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 Christchurch.

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

Which is Bigger, Turku or Christchurch?

Christchurch has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Christchurch, 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 Christchurch?

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Christchurch is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Turku has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Turku or Christchurch in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Turku as well as Christchurch. Also, most visitors come to Christchurch for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Turku is around the same temperature as Christchurch in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Christchurch fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Christchurch. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Turku this time of the year. In the summer, Turku often gets more sunshine than Christchurchin January. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 224 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets more rain in July than Christchurchin January. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Christchurch in the Autumn?

Both Christchurch and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Christchurch because of the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Christchurch. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Christchurch averages at about 12°C (54°F)in April.

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 161 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Turku usually receives more rain than Christchurchin April. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Turku or Christchurch in the Winter?

Both Christchurch and Turku during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Christchurch this time of year.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Christchurchin July. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Christchurch fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Christchurchin July. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Christchurch receives 122 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in January than Christchurchin July. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Christchurch in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Christchurch. Furthermore, many travelers come to Christchurch for the beaches and the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. Turku is much colder than Christchurch in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Christchurch fluctuates around 12°C (54°F)in October.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Christchurch this time of the year. Turku usually receives less sunshine than Christchurch during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Christchurch receives 204 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Christchurchin October. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Christchurch receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Christchurch and Turku