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

Should you visit Turku or Flam?

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

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

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.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.


Which place is cheaper, Flam or Turku?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Flam is €104. 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 Flam in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Flam 54
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Flam 108
Compare Hotels in Turku and Flam

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Flam? 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.

Hotels in Turku


Hotels in Flam


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Flam 15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,145
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $74
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $74

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Flam?

Prices for flights to both Flam 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 Meals for one day
    Turku 32
    Flam 33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Flam 16

Tours and Activities in Turku

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.

  • Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $315
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $132
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $531
  • Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $119
  • Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $777
  • Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $669

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Flam 3.44


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Flam, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Flam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flam 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 Flam.

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


Which is Bigger, Turku or Flam?

Turku has a larger population, and is about 350 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Flam, 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 Flam?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Turku or Flam in the Summer?

Both Flam and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Turku is generally a little warmer than Flam. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In July, Turku usually receives less rain than Flam. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Flam 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Turku or Flam in the Autumn?

Both Flam and Turku during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Turku is much colder than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Turku usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Flam 9°C (48°F)

Should I visit Turku or Flam in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Flam. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Flam because of the shopping scene and the cuisine.

The weather in Flam can be very cold. Turku can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Turku is much colder than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Turku usually receives less rain than Flam. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Flam 2°C (35°F)

Should I visit Turku or Flam in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Turku as well as Flam. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In April, Turku is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Turku usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Flam 6°C (43°F)

Typical Weather for Flam and Turku

Turku Flam
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (35°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 2°C (35°F) 152 mm (6 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (38°F) 170 mm (6.7 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 114 mm (4.5 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 106 mm (4.2 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 14°C (56°F) 132 mm (5.2 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 15°C (58°F) 148 mm (5.8 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 15°C (58°F) 190 mm (7.5 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 283 mm (11.1 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (48°F) 271 mm (10.7 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 259 mm (10.2 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 3°C (37°F) 235 mm (9.3 in)