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

Should you visit Turku or Gothenburg?

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

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

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.

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg is €92. 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 Gothenburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Gothenburg 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Gothenburg 76
Compare Hotels in Turku and Gothenburg

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Gothenburg? 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 Gothenburg


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 Gothenburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Gothenburg 17

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 city centre to Turku airport: $74
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

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

  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Stockholm: $520
  • Gothenburg Airport Transfers : Gothenburg to Airport GOT in Luxury Van: $155
  • Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $155
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea (UME) Airport to City centre: $147
  • Umea Private Transfer from Umea city centre to Umea airport: $147
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg To Alingsås: $123
  • Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $121
  • Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $116
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $114
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $103
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $96

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Gothenburg?

Prices for flights to both Gothenburg 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
    Gothenburg 36

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Gothenburg 15

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

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • 2-Days Private Tour in Gothenburg: $300
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $33
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off BusTour: $33
  • After Dark in A Guided Nightlife Tour: $266
  • Archipelago Tour with guide Gothenburg: $41
  • Bike Tour Gothenburg, Guided Bicycle Tours: $118
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • Discover Gothenburg - Private Walking Tour: $226
  • Egypt Oasis Adventure Package: $804
  • Entry Ticket To Gothenburg Museum of art with pickup: $38
  • Entry Ticket To Universeum in Gothenburg with pickup: $66
  • Gothenburg - Private guided tour: $542

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Gothenburg 19


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

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


Which is Bigger, Turku or Gothenburg?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg?

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 Gothenburg in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Gothenburg.

In the summer, Turku is around the same temperature as Gothenburg. Typically, the summer temperatures in Turku in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 16°C (61°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Gothenburg this time of the year. In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. Turku usually receives more sunshine than Gothenburg during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Turku usually receives more rain than Gothenburg. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Turku or Gothenburg in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Turku as well as Gothenburg.

In October, Turku is generally cooler than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 6°C (43°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

In the autumn, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in October than Gothenburg. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)

Should I visit Turku or Gothenburg in the Winter?

Both Gothenburg and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Gothenburg in the winter. The weather in Turku can be very cold. Turku is much colder than Gothenburg in the winter. The daily temperature in Turku averages around -6°C (20°F) in January, and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Turku usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Turku or Gothenburg in the Spring?

Both Gothenburg and Turku during the spring are popular places to visit.

It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. In the spring, Turku is much colder than Gothenburg. Typically, the spring temperatures in Turku in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 5°C (41°F).

In the spring, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in April than Gothenburg. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)

Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Turku

Turku Gothenburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in)