Which place is cheaper, Zadar or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Turku or Zadar?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Zadar, 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 Zadar?
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.
Zadar
You'll find Zadar in northern Dalmatia, Croatia. It is located on the Adriatic Sea and is the center of Zadar County. It is both the historic center for the region and the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Zadar. There are a handful of sights around town, most of which can be explored on foot.
The climate for the city is a mix between humid subtropical and a Mediterranean climate. The winters are usually mild and wet, and the summers are humid and warm. The hottest months are July and August when temperatures can exceed 30 degrees Celsius. Average yearly rainfall usually exceeds 917 mm. Fall months often remain warm and temperatures are often around 30 degrees Celsius as well. In general, the temperatures rarely drop below freezing, even during the coldest month of January. The rainiest months are October and November, although winter is considered the wet season. July is usually the driest month. Water temperatures are around 25 degrees Celsius in July and August and it may be possible to swim any time between May and October.
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 Croatia, and The Best G Adventures Tours to Croatia.
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Turku Prices
Finland PricesZadar Prices
Croatia Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €159Zadar €110
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €159, while the average daily cost in Zadar is €110. 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 Zadar in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Zadar €51
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Zadar €102
Compare Hotels in Turku and Zadar
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Zadar? 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 Zadar Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Zadar €9.53
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku
Also for Turku, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $95
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $95
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zadar
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zadar:
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Novalja: $295
- Private one way transfer from Zadar to Split: $292
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Šibenik: $282
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Murter: $282
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Split with 2 hours for sightseeing: $242
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Vodice: $236
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Zagreb with 2h of Sightseeing: $235
- Zadar Airport To Novalja Zrce - Beach Transfer: $233
- Private Transfer from Starigrad Paklenica to Zadar Airport (ZAD): $197
- Private Transfer from Zadar Airport (ZAD) to Starigrad Paklenica: $192
- Private Transfer from Zadar to Split, Hotel-to-Hotel: $189
- Transfer from Zadar airport to Zrće Beach, Novalja: $176
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Zadar?
Prices for flights to both Zadar 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 €56Zadar €49
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zadar
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zadar.
- Golden Hour Cruise RIB Tour Island Dinner Stop & Swim: $41
- Sunset Cruise Tour with Island Dinner & Swiming Stop: $47
- Zadar City Market Food Tour: $51
- Sunset Dinner Cruise with 3-Course Meal: $88
- Private Cooking Class: $140
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Zadar €19
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Järvelä Sauna Experience in the Turku Archipelago: $19
- Experience Turku with a local guide: $283
Tours and Activities in Zadar
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zadar are as follows:
- 2 Hour Quad Buggy ATV Mountain Adventure in Starigrad: $114
- 2 Hour Sunset Swimming & Snorkeling Cruise: $29
- 4 Stops Zadar Boat Tour: Swim, Snorkel & Island Hopping: $35
- A Self-Guided Tour of Zadar's Medieval Heart: $12
- Adrenaline Adventure on Speedboat with 3 stops and Snorkeling: $32
- Adriatic Sailing with Island Hopping and Snorkeling Adventure: $47
- Blue Bay Snorkeling & Cocktails 3 Islands Speedboat Tour: $21
- Blue Bay Snorkeling & Cocktails 3 Islands Speedboat Tour: $29
- Boat Tour to the Zadar Islands: $41
- Boat Tour with Snorkeling in Zadar Archipelago: $83
- Boat tour from Preko – Hidden Bay – Ošljak: $35
- Cabrio Tour: Old Town Nin, House of Salt and Royal Vineyeards: $88
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Zadar €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Zadar
Also in Zadar, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Brewtal Craft Brewery Meet the Brewer and Taste Beers: $35
- Guided Speedboat Tour with Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $41
- Guided Speedboat Tour with Organic Food, Oil & Wine Tasting: $41
- Guided Pub Crawl with Welcome Shots and VIP Entry: $61
- Craft Gin and exclusive brandies in unique distillery: $77
- City Tour with Brewery Visit and Beer Tasting: $92
- City and Wine Tour in Zadar with Eco Tuk Tuk: $106
- Private Island Hopping & Wine Tasting with Canapés: $350
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Zadar, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Zadar much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Zadar would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Zadar 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 Zadar.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Zadar Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Zadar?
Turku has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Zadar. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Zadar, 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 Zadar?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Turku or Zadar in the Summer?
Both Zadar and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Zadar for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Turku is much colder than Zadar in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Zadar fluctuates around 26°C (80°F).
In Zadar, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 345 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets more rain in July than Zadar. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 28 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Zadar 26°C (80°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zadar in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Zadar. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Zadar because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Zadar. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Zadar averages at about 18°C (64°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Zadar this time of the year. Turku usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 200 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Turku usually receives less rain than Zadar. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Zadar 18°C (64°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zadar in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Zadar. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Zadar this time of year.
The weather in Turku can be very cold. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Zadar. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Zadar fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).
In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Zadar. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zadar receives 128 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in January than Zadar. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Zadar 8°C (47°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zadar in the Spring?
Both Zadar and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Zadar for the beaches and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. Turku is much colder than Zadar in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Zadar fluctuates around 15°C (59°F).
It's quite sunny in Zadar. Turku usually receives less sunshine than Zadar during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Zadar receives 212 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Zadar. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zadar receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Zadar 15°C (59°F)
Typical Weather for Zadar and Turku
| Turku | Zadar | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 8°C (47°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 23°C (74°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 26°C (80°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 100 mm (3.9 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.