Should you visit Turku or Helsinki?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Helsinki, this travel cost comparison can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
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.
Which city is cheaper, Helsinki or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €109, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is €112. 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 city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Turku and Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
The prices for places to stay in Turku can vary by date, location, and type. Generally, the average cost for accommodation per person is €61, while a typical double-occupancy hotel room for two people will cost around €122.
Travelers usually pay around €118 for a double occupancy room in Helsinki If you want to be in a premiere location or have high end amenities, you can expect to pay a bit more.
Food
Food in Turku costs travelers about €26 per day on average. Restaurants can vary significantly in price, so choose wisely if you're trying to save money. Fast food and street stalls are typically your cheapest options, which sit down restaurants can be significantly more expensive.
The average traveler spends about €27 per day in Helsinki for food, but obviously this is dependent on the type of restaurant and the amount of food ordered. To save money you can grab a lighter lunch or dinner, or you can try fast food or street food.
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Food
Meals for one day
Turku €26
Helsinki €27
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
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Helsinki Food Tour Including Tastings:
$137
Local Transportation
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Turku than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €35 on transportation in Turku on average per day.
Public transportation tends to be much less expensive in Helsinki than paying for a taxi or private car service, as is expected. Typically, people spend €18 on transportation in Helsinki on average per day.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport:
$83
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Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre:
$83
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Turku (TKU) to City Center to Airport - Private Transfer:
$68
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
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Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport (HEL):
$622
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Private Transfer: Helsinki-Malmi Airpor (HEM) to Helsinki:
$622
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Private Transfer: Helsinki to Helsinki-Malmi Airpor (HEM):
$622
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Helsinki Private Panoramic Tour with Airport Transfer:
$375
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Helsinki Private Departure Airport Transfer:
$203
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Airport Private transfer via Marimekko & Iittala with Japanese Speaking Driver:
$195
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Private arrival OR departure transfer in Helsinki (airport or hotel pick up):
$185
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Helsinki airport transfer to all Helsinki area hotels:
$166
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Helsinki Airport Transfers: Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL in Luxury Van:
$113
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Helsinki Departure Private Transfer from Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL:
$110
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Helsinki Private Transfer : Port of Helsinki to Helsinki City in Luxury Van:
$104
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Private Airport Transfer in Helsinki region:
$102
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.
Entertainment
Sightseeing expenses in Turku, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €18 per day, per person.
Sightseeing expenses in Helsinki, including the cost of admission tickets for day tours, museums, and attractions, usually cost an average of €22 per day, per person.
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
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Romantic tour in Turku:
$496
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The best of Turku walking tour:
$496
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
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2 Days tour to Moominworld and Turku Castle from Helsinki:
$955
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2-Hour Guided Tuk Tuk Tour in Helsinki:
$274
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2-Hours Helsinki Professional Photography Walking Tour:
$70
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2-Hours Photogenic Helsinki Walking Tour with a Local:
$67
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3.5 Hour Helsinki Highlights Private Tour:
$350
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5-hour sightseeing in Helsinki and Winterworld:
$199
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Architecture Tour of Helsinki with a city planner:
$68
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Artificial Intelligence City Tour of Helsinki:
$37
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop On Hop Off Tour:
$37
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City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour:
$37
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Classic style boating & Island experience with BBQ:
$187
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Daily Small Group Porvoo Tour:
$153
Alcohol
Alcoholic beverages can often be a significant portion of a traveler's budget, and the costs can vary greatly from person to person. In Turku, the average amount that a visitor spends on alcoholic beverages per day is €9.35.
Typically, people visiting Helsinki spend on average €13 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
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.
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