Which place is cheaper, Lucerne or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turku or Lucerne?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?
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.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
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 in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €136Lucerne €200
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Lucerne is €200. 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 Lucerne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Lucerne €128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Lucerne €256
Compare Hotels in Turku and Lucerne
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Lucerne? 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 Lucerne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Lucerne €12
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): $2,112
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $73
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744
- LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
- Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
- Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
- Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Lucerne?
Prices for flights to both Lucerne 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 €32Lucerne €58
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swiss Alps: Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $82
- Lake Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $141
- From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $547
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Lucerne €32
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $310
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $131
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $523
- Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $133
- Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $766
- Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $659
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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1 Day Bicycle Rental€32
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The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee€33
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- A Wonderful Christmas Tour in Lucerne: $275
- A Wonderful Christmas Tour in Lucerne: $534
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Luzern: $563
- Alpine Majesty:Luzern to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $821
- Basel: Swiss Alps Glacier Express Train Ride & Lucerne Tour: $760
- Best of Lucerne Walking Photography Tour: $179
- Burgenstock Private Tour: Mt. Rigis & Lake of Lucerne Cruise: $585
- City tour plus Lucerne: $95
- Day Trip from Grindelwald First Mountain Adventure: $174
- Day Trip to Swiss Villages from Lucerne - Small Group tour by Car: $200
- Early morning tour: $213
- Exploring Lucerne with Friends: A Local Experience ❤: $159
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Lucerne €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- 3 Hour Unique Wine Tour - Half Day in Swiss Alps: $166
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $273
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Lucerne, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. And not only is Turku much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Turku would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Turku 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 Lucerne would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Lucerne than you might in Turku.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Lucerne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Lucerne?
Turku has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Lucerne. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?
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 Lucerne in the Summer?
Both Lucerne and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Lucerne in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Turku is cooler than Lucerne. Typically, the summer temperatures in Turku in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Lucerne averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Lucerne. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Turku. Turku usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Turku usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Lucerne 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Turku or Lucerne in the Autumn?
Both Lucerne and Turku during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Turku is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 6°C (43°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Turku often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Lucerne. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Lucerne 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Turku or Lucerne in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Lucerne. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Lucerne because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Lucerne can be very cold. Turku can be very cold during winter. Turku is much colder than Lucerne in the winter. The daily temperature in Turku averages around -6°C (20°F) in January, and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Turku usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Turku usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Lucerne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Turku or Lucerne in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Turku as well as Lucerne. Additionally, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.
The weather in Turku can be very cold. In the spring, Turku is much colder than Lucerne. Typically, the spring temperatures in Turku in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Lucerne averages at about 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Turku often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in April than Lucerne. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Lucerne 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Lucerne and Turku
| Turku | Lucerne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.