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

Should you visit Turku or Saint John?

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

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

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.

Saint John

With the popularity of the Caribbean rising, many islands have become touristy and expensive – but not St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

At only nine miles long and five miles wide, St. John is the smallest of the Virgin Islands, and, many argue, the prettiest. It's the kind of place that has maintained it's cultural identity, but still welcomes visitors from all over the world. With a population of just 5,000, the residents of St. John know everyone and everything happening on the island.

This island is perfect for people who want an undisturbed island getaway at any price. Between resorts and campgrounds there is a spot for everyone on St. John.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Saint John, we can see that Saint John is more expensive. And not only is Turku much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe and Saint John is in Caribbean Islands, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. 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 Saint John would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John 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 Saint John Expensive?.

When is the best time to visit Turku or Saint John?

Turku has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Saint John experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Saint John in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Turku as well as Saint John. The warm climate attracts visitors to Saint John throughout the year.

In July, Turku is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 29°C (83°F).

Turku usually gets more rain in July than Saint John. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Saint John in the Autumn?

Both Saint John and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Saint John because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Turku is much colder than Saint John in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Saint John fluctuates around 28°C (82°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Saint John. In October, Turku usually receives less rain than Saint John. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 146 mm (5.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Turku or Saint John in the Winter?

Both Saint John and Turku during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Saint John year-round.

Turku can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Turku is much colder than Saint John. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Saint John averages at about 26°C (78°F).

Turku usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Saint John. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Saint John in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Saint John. Saint John attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In April, Turku is generally much colder than Saint John. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and Saint John fluctuates around 27°C (80°F).

In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Saint John. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Saint John receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Saint John and Turku