Should you visit Turku or Porvoo?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Porvoo, 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.
Porvoo
Porvoo is a city and a municipality situated on the southern coast of Finland approximately 50 kilometers east of Helsinki. Porvoo is one of the six medieval towns in Finland, first mentioned as a city in texts from 14th century. Even though Porvoo is not exactly a coastal town, it is connected to the Gulf of Finland via the Porvoo River. The river flows through the city, passing Porvoo's most well-known landmarks: the red shore houses. Historically, Porvoo has been an important center of trade. Founded nearly 800 years ago, Porvoo is the second oldest city in Finland and evidence of its long history can still be seen and felt as you walk its charming streets. For centuries, the city has served as both a home and a source of inspiration for many Finnish artists.
Which city is cheaper, Porvoo 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 Porvoo is €105. 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 Porvoo 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.
For a normal double-occupancy room in Porvoo, €110 is the average cost for a hotel room. Also in Porvoo, the typical price for a place to stay for one person is €55, such as in a hostel.
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.
On average, meal and food prices in Porvoo cost around €24 per person, per day. While this price can vary widely by location, the type of restaurant, and the amount of food ordered, a typical meal often costs around €9.60.
-
Food
Meals for one day
Turku €26
Porvoo €24
Typical Food prices in Porvoo
For Porvoo, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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.
To get around in Porvoo, the average visitor spends €45 per day, per person. This includes the costs of taxi rides and private drivers as well as public transportation, which tends to be much more affordable.
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
-
Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport:
$83
-
Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre:
$83
-
Turku (TKU) to City Center to Airport - Private Transfer:
$68
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Porvoo?
Prices for flights to both Porvoo 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.
In Porvoo, the costs for things to do, activities, admission tickets, and other sightseeing expenses are on average €17 per person, per day.
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
-
Romantic tour in Turku:
$496
-
The best of Turku walking tour:
$496
Tours and Activities in Porvoo
For Porvoo, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
-
Romantic tour in Porvoo:
$496
-
SHORE EXCURSIONS: Small-Group Half-Day Tour of Porvoo Old Town from Helsinki:
$163
-
Shore Excursion - Helsinki and Porvoo Sightseeing Tour:
$211
-
Shore Excursion - Porvoo Sightseeing Tour:
$162
-
Shore Excursion: Private Half Day Tour of Old City of Porvoo from Helsinki:
$776
-
The best of Porvoo walking tour:
$496
-
Unforgettable private tour Helsinki-Porvoo-Haikko by VIP car (6 hours):
$630
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 Porvoo spend on average €7.94 on alcoholic beverages per person, per day.
When comparing the travel costs between Turku and Porvoo, we can see that Turku 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.
Related Articles for Turku
Related Articles for Porvoo
