Which place is cheaper, Helsinki or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turku or Helsinki?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Helsinki, 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 Helsinki?
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.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Finland, and The Best Northern Lights Tours in Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €136Helsinki €139
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is €139. 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 Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Helsinki €73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Helsinki €146
Compare Hotels in Turku and Helsinki
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Helsinki? 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 Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Helsinki €22
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): $2,104
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private City Highlights Tour with Transfer: $735
- Guided Tallinn Day Tour from Helsinki / Include hotel transfers: $218
- Helsinki Private Transfer: $158
- VIP Airport transfers in Helsinki region: $151
- PRIVATE Helsinki VIP Transfer: $147
- VIP Transfer HELSINKI: $147
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): One-Way Transfer to/from Helsinki: $144
- Helsinki Stopover Tour with Round-Trip Airport Transfers: $138
- Helsinki Airport VIP Transfers: Exclusive Comfort&Efficiency: $133
- Helsinki Airport (HEL): Transfer to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $129
- Private transfer from Helsinki Airport with Meet & Greet: $128
- Helsinki West Harbour Cruise Terminal: Transfer to Helsinki: $113
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Helsinki?
Prices for flights to both Helsinki 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 €32Helsinki €34
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Rooftop Bar Visit in Helsinki: $105
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $108
- Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings: $163
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Helsinki €27
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $309
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $131
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $521
- Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $132
- Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $763
- Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $656
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Helsinki Highlights Tour: the Top Sightseeing Spots: $141
- 2-Hours Private Modern Boat Tour in Helsinki Archipelago: $283
- 3 Hours Helsinki Stopover Tour from Airport: $98
- 3-Hour Helsinki Private Walking Tour: $234
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $26
- Adventure Day: $44
- All-in-One Helsinki Shore Excursion for Cruise Ships: $1,039
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $105
- CITY Tour with Food Tasting in Helsinki: $147
- Cozy Guided City Tour: Helsinki & Porvoo: $96
- E-Bike rental / Self-Guided tour to Seurasaari: $52
- First Time in Helsinki Tour: $330
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Helsinki €16
When comparing the travel costs between Turku and Helsinki, we can see that Helsinki is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Helsinki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Helsinki?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Helsinki, 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 Helsinki?
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 Helsinki in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Helsinki. Also, many travelers come to Helsinki for the family-friendly experiences.
Turku is around the same temperature as Helsinki in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Helsinki fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Helsinki this time of the year. In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 275 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Turku usually receives more rain than Helsinki. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Helsinki 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Turku or Helsinki in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Turku as well as Helsinki. Also, many visitors come to Helsinki in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Turku is around the same temperature as Helsinki. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Helsinki averages at about 6°C (42°F).
In the autumn, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 90 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Helsinki. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Helsinki 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Turku or Helsinki in the Winter?
Both Helsinki and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Helsinki can be very cold during winter. Turku can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Turku is generally around the same temperature as Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around -6°C (21°F).
Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Turku usually receives more rain than Helsinki. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Helsinki -6°C (21°F)
Should I visit Turku or Helsinki in the Spring?
Both Helsinki and Turku during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the natural beauty.
The weather in Helsinki can be very cold. Turku can be very cold during spring. Turku is around the same temperature as Helsinki in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Helsinki fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the spring, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 183 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in April than Helsinki. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Helsinki 3°C (37°F)
Typical Weather for Helsinki and Turku
| Turku | Helsinki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.