Which place is cheaper, Istanbul or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Turku or Istanbul?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Istanbul, 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 Istanbul?
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.
Istanbul
Istanbul is strategically located on the Bosphorus and is split between Europe and Asia. It truly is a city where east meets west. Istanbul is the cultural and financial hub of Turkey, and also the most populous city. The sites are countless and there's something for everybody, whether you're interested in art, music, food, or adventure. You can pass many days exploring both the residential and commercial pockets of this city. Much of the appeal is hidden away along back alleys or within corner shops.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in Turkey, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Turkey.
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Turku Prices
Finland PricesIstanbul Prices
Turkey Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €159Istanbul €134
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €159, while the average daily cost in Istanbul is €134. 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 Istanbul in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Istanbul €62
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Istanbul €124
Compare Hotels in Turku and Istanbul
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Istanbul? 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 Istanbul Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Istanbul €29
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $83
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $83
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Istanbul
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Istanbul are as follows:
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Metro Cards€3.85
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Istanbul
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Istanbul:
- Istanbul Private Cultural Tours, Hotel Transfers Including: $299
- Istanbul Old City Private Tour With Professional Guide & Transfer: $269
- Private Transfer from Istanbul Airport to Sabiha Gökcen Airport: $263
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: Istanbul to Sabiha Airport SAW in Luxury Car: $235
- Istanbul Airport Transfer: New Airport IST to Istanbul in Luxury Car: $235
- First Class Airport Transfer Services in Istanbul: $200
- Istanbul Private Airport Transfer: $182
- Cappadocia Private Tour, Transfers from Local Hotels or Istanbul: $182
- Narita Airport to Tokyo one way Transfer: $181
- Istanbul Private Tour Designed for Layover Flight, Transfer incl.: $175
- Istanbul Private Guided Tour for Layover Flight. Transfer incl.: $175
- Istanbul Layover Tour with Private Guide. Airport Transfers Incld: $172
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Istanbul?
Prices for flights to both Istanbul 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 €56Istanbul €49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Istanbul
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Istanbul.
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour: $22
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise Tour With Turkish Night Show: $22
- Bosphorus Sightseeing Cruise with Optional 4 Course Dinner: $25
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise: Live Folk Dance & DJ Experience: $27
- Bosphorus Turkish Night Show and Dinner Cruise with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Night Cruise Dinner and Dance Show,Transfer included: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner Cruise with Shows and Drinks: $30
- Istanbul Luxury Bosphorus View Tavern Dinner & Belly Dance Show: $30
- Istanbul Bosphorus Dinner Cruise and Show with Private Table: $30
- Bosphorus Dinner & Show Cruise (All Inclusive): $31
- Bosphorus Evening Cruise: Dinner, Live Shows & Private Table: $31
- İstanbul Mega Lüfer Dinner Cruise Bosphorus and Show - Pvt. Table: $32
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Istanbul €32
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Järvelä Sauna Experience in the Turku Archipelago: $18
- Experience Turku with a local guide: $275
Tours and Activities in Istanbul
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Istanbul are as follows:
- "Classic Wonders" Tour: $114
- 1 Perfect Day in Istanbul Private Guided Tour of the City’s Icons: $250
- 1-Day Best of Istanbul Private Tour with the Best Local Guides: $295
- 1-Day Private Istanbul Layover Tour: $240
- 2 Continents Tour incl. Beylerbeyi Palace [full-day]: $166
- 2 Day Cappadocia Tour with Istanbul Flights &Hot Air Balloon Tour: $286
- 2 Days Cappadocia Tour with Hotel Flights and Hot Air Balloon: $200
- 2 Hours Afternoon Bosphorus Cruise: $11
- 2 Hours Walking Tour Through Istanbul's Old City: $14
- 2-Hour Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul with Guide: $35
- 2-Hour Scenic Bosphorus Cruise in Istanbul Throughout the Day: $8.01
- 4 Hours Turkish Dining Experience in Istanbul: $143
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Istanbul €8.85
Sample the Local Flavors in Istanbul
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Istanbul:
- Pub Crawler VIP Entry Rooftop Bars&Clubs with Party Bus: $26
- Istanbul Wine Tasting at Home with Local Family: $78
- Taksim Pera Wine Tasting 3 Hour Guided Tour: $130
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Istanbul, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Istanbul much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Istanbul would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Istanbul 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 Istanbul.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Istanbul Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Istanbul?
Istanbul has a larger population, and is about 60 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Istanbul, 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 Istanbul?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Turku or Istanbul in the Summer?
Both Istanbul and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Istanbul this time of year.
In July, Turku is generally cooler than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 24°C (74°F).
In Istanbul, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets less sunshine than Istanbul. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 333 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets more rain in July than Istanbul. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 19 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Istanbul 24°C (74°F)
Should I visit Turku or Istanbul in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Istanbul. Furthermore, many travelers come to Istanbul for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Turku is much colder than Istanbul in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Istanbul fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Turku usually receives less sunshine than Istanbul during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 169 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Turku usually receives around the same amount of rain as Istanbul. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Istanbul 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Turku or Istanbul in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Istanbul. Additionally, many visitors come to Istanbul in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In the winter, Turku is much colder than Istanbul. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Istanbul averages at about 6°C (43°F).
In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Istanbul. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Istanbul receives 75 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in January than Istanbul. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 99 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Istanbul 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Turku or Istanbul in the Spring?
Both Istanbul and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Istanbul for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Turku can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Turku is generally much colder than Istanbul. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and Istanbul fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Istanbul during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Istanbul receives 180 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Istanbul. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Istanbul receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Istanbul 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Istanbul and Turku
| Turku | Istanbul | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 21°C (71°F) | 21 mm (0.8 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 19 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 26 mm (1 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 122 mm (4.8 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.