Which place is cheaper, Zermatt or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turku or Zermatt?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?
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.
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku €136Zermatt €209
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Zermatt is €209. 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 Zermatt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Zermatt €118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Zermatt €236
Compare Hotels in Turku and Zermatt
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Zermatt? 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 Zermatt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Zermatt €50
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: $73
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $73
- One-Way Helicopter Transfer to Helsinki Airport (HEL): $2,112
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Zermatt Tasch Station: $1,087
- 3-Hour Private Transfer from Zermatt and Saa to Geneva Airport: $235
- Zermatt to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $141
- Cervinia, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $127
- Breuil-Cervinia to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP-Departure Transfer: $118
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Zermatt?
Prices for flights to both Zermatt 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 €32Zermatt €53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zermatt
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zermatt.
- Evening Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Zermatt €53
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $131
- Turku Archipelago: Sea Kayaking Day Tour: $133
- Archipelago tour with Soling sailboat: $310
- Inspiring Turku - Walking Tour: $523
- Turku Enchanting Romantic Walking Tour: $659
- Turku Christmas Delights Walking Tour: $766
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Basel Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $885
- Basel: Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tour: $1,067
- Bern Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $856
- Bern Private Tour: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise: $801
- Bern: Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tour: $984
- From Basel: Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Tour: $530
- From Bern: Zermatt Guided Tour with Matterhorn Railway Pass: $530
- From Zurich: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise Private Tour: $885
- Interlaken Private Tour to Gornergrat & Matterhorn Paradise: $1,026
- Interlaken Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $843
- Interlaken Private Tour: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise: $801
- Majestic Hiking Private Tour in Zermatt with pick up: $1,692
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Zermatt €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Zermatt
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
- Wine Tasting in Valais: $84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Zermatt, we can see that Zermatt is more expensive. And not only is Turku much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt 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 Zermatt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Zermatt?
Turku has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?
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 Zermatt in the Summer?
Both Zermatt and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Turku is generally cooler than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
In Zermatt, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Zermatt. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 250 hours of full sun.
Zermatt gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Turku usually gets less rain in July than Zermatt. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Zermatt 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zermatt in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Zermatt. Also, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year.
Turku is much colder than Zermatt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Zermatt fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Turku usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Turku usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Zermatt 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zermatt in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Zermatt. Also, many travelers come to Zermatt for the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Zermatt. It's quite cold in Turku in the winter. In the winter, Turku is much colder than Zermatt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Zermatt averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 119 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in January than Zermatt. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Zermatt 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zermatt in the Spring?
Both Zermatt and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Zermatt in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In April, Turku is generally much colder than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Zermatt during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Zermatt 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zermatt and Turku
| Turku | Zermatt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.