A Travel Price Comparison for Finland Turku vs. Tampere for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Turku or Tampere?

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

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

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.

Tampere

Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.

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


Which place is cheaper, Tampere 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 Tampere is €148. 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 Tampere in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Tampere 80
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Tampere 160
Compare Hotels in Turku and Tampere

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Tampere? 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 Tampere


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 Tampere Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Tampere 59

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): $2,145
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $74
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $74

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere

Also for Tampere, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport: $1,602
  • Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $88

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Tampere?

Prices for flights to both Tampere 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
    Tampere 33

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Tampere 24

Tours and Activities in Turku

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

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

Tours and Activities in Tampere

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

  • Enchanting Tampere Romantic Walking Tour: $669
  • Unique Corners of Tampere - Walking Tour: $182
  • Unique Corners of Tampere - Walking Tour: $531

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Tampere 10


When comparing the travel costs between Turku and Tampere, we can see that Tampere 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.

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


Which is Bigger, Turku or Tampere?

Tampere has a larger population, and is about 15% larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Tampere, 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 Tampere?

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 Tampere in the Summer?

Both Tampere and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Turku is around the same temperature as Tampere in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Tampere fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

It's quite sunny in Tampere. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Turku. Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 247 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Turku usually receives less rain than Tampere. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Tampere 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Turku or Tampere in the Autumn?

Both Tampere and Turku during the autumn are popular places to visit.

In the autumn, Turku is around the same temperature as Tampere. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Tampere averages at about 5°C (42°F).

In the autumn, Turku often gets more sunshine than Tampere. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 81 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets more rain in October than Tampere. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Tampere 5°C (42°F)

Should I visit Turku or Tampere in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Tampere.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tampere. It's quite cold in Turku in the winter. In January, Turku is generally a little warmer than Tampere. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Tampere fluctuates around -7°C (19°F).

Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Tampere receives 37 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Turku usually receives more rain than Tampere. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Tampere -7°C (19°F)

Should I visit Turku or Tampere in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Turku as well as Tampere.

Tampere can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. Turku is around the same temperature as Tampere in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Tampere fluctuates around 3°C (38°F).

In the spring, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Tampere. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tampere receives 174 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets more rain in April than Tampere. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Tampere receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Tampere 3°C (38°F)

Typical Weather for Tampere and Turku

Turku Tampere
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) -7°C (19°F) 36 mm (1.4 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -7°C (19°F) 24 mm (0.9 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -3°C (27°F) 25 mm (1 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 3°C (38°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 0°C (32°F) 55 mm (2.2 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) -4°C (24°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)