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

Should you visit Turku or Lofoten Islands?

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

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

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.

Lofoten Islands

Lofoten Islands is an archipelago and traditional district in Norway. Lofoten is known for excellent fishing, spectacular nature attractions such as the northern lights and the midnight sun, and small villages off the beaten track. The Lofoten Islands are draped across the turbulent waters of the Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Circle. Kayak between the islands, go fishing for the catch of your life, or look for sea eagles soaring in the sky. If you are seeking unforgettable nature experiences, Lofoten will definitely not let you down.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Contiki Tours to Norway, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Oslo.


Which place is cheaper, Lofoten Islands 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 Lofoten Islands is €49. 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 Lofoten Islands in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Lofoten Islands 6.66
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Lofoten Islands 13
Compare Hotels in Turku and Lofoten Islands

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Lofoten Islands? 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 Lofoten Islands


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.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Lofoten Islands 9.84

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: $74
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $74
  • One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,145

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Lofoten Islands?

Prices for flights to both Lofoten Islands 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
    Lofoten Islands 32

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Lofoten Islands 23

Tours and Activities in Turku

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

  • Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $119
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $132
  • Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $315
  • Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $531
  • Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $669
  • Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $777

Tours and Activities in Lofoten Islands

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Lofoten Islands are as follows:

  • From Leknes port: Special Summer Guided Tour of Lofoten : $129
  • Sea Kayak Guided Tours on Skrova Island: $118
  • Small-Group Cultural Walking Tour of Skrova: $33
  • Winter Half Day Kayak Tour: $94

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Lofoten Islands 0.67


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

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