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

Should you visit Turku or Kiel?

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

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

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.


Which place is cheaper, Kiel 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 Kiel is €138. 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 Kiel in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Kiel 67
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Kiel 134
Compare Hotels in Turku and Kiel

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Kiel? 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 Kiel


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 Kiel Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Kiel 54

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: $73
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
  • One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,112

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:

  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
  • Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
  • Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Kiel?

Prices for flights to both Kiel 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
    Kiel 39

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Kiel 19

Tours and Activities in Turku

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

  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $131
  • Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $133
  • Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $310
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $523
  • Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $659
  • Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $766

Tours and Activities in Kiel

Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Bicycle tour to Friedrichshafen with a visit to the Zeppelin & Dornier Museum: $141
  • Bike Tour of Lubeck with Top Attractions and Private Guide: $244
  • Boat Cruise and a Private Walking Tour of Lubeck's Old Town: $205
  • Christmas Stories of Lubeck – Private Walking Tour: $256
  • City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
  • Discovering Lubeck – Private Walking Tour for Couples: $202
  • Fascinating Pearls of Lubeck - Guided Walking Tour: $191
  • Kiel - Private Historic Walking Tour: $384
  • Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
  • Kiel Private Guided Walking Tour: $281
  • Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
  • Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Kiel 12


When comparing the travel costs between Turku and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kiel Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Turku or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kiel in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Turku as well as Kiel. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Turku is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kiel. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Turku this time of the year. In the summer, Turku often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


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

Should I visit Turku or Kiel in the Autumn?

Both Kiel and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Kiel because of the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Turku usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Kiel 10°C (50°F)

Should I visit Turku or Kiel in the Winter?

Both Kiel and Turku during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Kiel this time of year.

It's quite cold in Kiel in the winter. The weather in Turku can be very cold. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Kiel 0°C (33°F)

Should I visit Turku or Kiel in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Kiel. Furthermore, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches and the activities around the city.

It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. Turku is much colder than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Kiel during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Kiel. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Kiel 7°C (44°F)

Typical Weather for Kiel and Turku

Turku Kiel
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 0°C (33°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 1°C (34°F) 37 mm (1.5 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 3°C (38°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 7°C (44°F) 49 mm (1.9 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 11°C (53°F) 53 mm (2.1 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (59°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 88 mm (3.4 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 16°C (62°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 14°C (56°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 5°C (41°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 2°C (35°F) 73 mm (2.9 in)