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

Should you visit Turku or Sendai?

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

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

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.

Sendai

Sendai, Japan is located in the Toohoku region on the main Honshu island. It is often referred to as "Forest City" due to the large amount of green space throughout the city and the tree filled parks and public spaces. Sendai is a very pleasant city to visit; they are in close proximity to both mountains and the sea and have many large universities throughout the city, making it a popular college town.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours from Tokyo, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Tokyo.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Turku or Sendai?

Sendai has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Sendai, 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 Sendai?

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 Sendai in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Sendai. Furthermore, the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Sendai this time of year.

Turku is cooler than Sendai in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Sendai fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. Turku usually receives more sunshine than Sendai during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 124 hours of full sun in the summer.

Sendai receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Turku usually receives less rain than Sendai. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 151 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Turku or Sendai in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Turku as well as Sendai. Additionally, many travelers come to Sendai for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Sendai. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Sendai averages at about 15°C (59°F).

In the autumn, Turku often gets less sunshine than Sendai. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Sendai. Turku usually gets less rain in October than Sendai. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 103 mm (4.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Sendai in the Winter?

Both Sendai and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Sendai in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Sendai can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Sendai. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Sendai fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Sendai during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Sendai receives 149 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Turku usually receives more rain than Sendai. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Turku or Sendai in the Spring?

Both Sendai and Turku during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Sendai for the beaches and the activities around the city during these months.

Turku can get quite cold in the spring. Turku is much colder than Sendai in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Sendai fluctuates around 10°C (51°F).

In the spring, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sendai. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sendai receives 188 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in April than Sendai. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Sendai receives 94 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Sendai and Turku