Which place is cheaper, Zurich or Turku?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Turku or Zurich?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Zurich, 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 Zurich?
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.
Zurich
Zurich has the biggest connection for trains in Switzerland. It also has the country's biggest and busiest airport. Because of its importance as a transportation center, it is likely to be the first place you visit in Switzerland. It is the financial capital of the country (although, contrary to what you may have thought, not the political capital). It has many international companies, and is home to the country's stock exchange.
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 €136Zurich €251
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €136, while the average daily cost in Zurich is €251. 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 Zurich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku €76Zurich €159
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku €152Zurich €318
Compare Hotels in Turku and Zurich
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Zurich? 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 Zurich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku €44Zurich €33
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Zurich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Zurich:
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City Pass (2)€27
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zurich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zurich:
- ST. Moritz Luxury Private Transfer to Zurich Airport: $1,411
- SUV LUXURY TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT ZURIGO to MILANO MALPENSA: $1,083
- TRANSFER FROM AIRPORT MILANO MALPENSA TO ZURIGO: $1,083
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Scuol: $857
- Switzerland: Private Transfer to Interlaken & Grindelwald: $809
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Gstaad Saanen: $651
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Adelboden: $642
- TRANSFER VAN LUXURY DA AIRPORT ZURIGO A BASEL: $640
- Private Transfer from Zurich Airport to Disentis: $636
- Private Transfer Interlaken to Zurich Airport: $634
- Privat Transfer Zurich Airport to Interlaken: $634
- Private Transfer From Zurich Airport to Thun: $613
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Zurich?
Prices for flights to both Zurich 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 €32Zurich €58
Typical Food Prices in Zurich
Some typical examples of dining costs in Zurich are as follows:
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Breakfast for 2€13
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku €22Zurich €33
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 Zurich
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zurich are as follows:
- 007-Elegance: Exclusive Private Tour Schilthorn from Zürich: $627
- 3 Hours Private Tour Around Zurich: $224
- 3 in 1: Zurich Walking Tour - Cruise on the Lake - Cable Car Ride to Felsenegg: $101
- Adventure to Mount Pilatus Gold and Silver tour: $157
- Alpine Majesty: Private Tour to Mount Titlis from Zürich: $650
- Alpine Majesty:Zürich to Jungfraujoch Exclusive Private Tour: $799
- Beer Tasting Tour in Zurich: $129
- Best Intro Tour of Zurich with a Local: $124
- Best of Zürich: A Self-Guided Audio Tour in English: $7.87
- Best of Zurich Tour with Felsenegg Cable Car and Ferry Ride : $73
- Best of Zurich and Surroundings - Extended City Sightseeing Tour: $87
- Bike Private Tour with Pickup and Drop off From Zurich: $114
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku €12Zurich €27
Sample the Local Flavors in Zurich
Also in Zurich, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Nightlife Tour with Shots and Snacks: $31
- eTukTuk Hot Stone BBQ and Wine Tour Zürich: $129
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Zurich, we can see that Zurich 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 Zurich would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zurich 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 Zurich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Zurich?
Zurich has a larger population, and is about 94% larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Zurich, 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 Zurich?
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 Zurich in the Summer?
Both Zurich and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Zurich in the summer for the music scene and the family-friendly experiences.
Turku is cooler than Zurich in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Zurich fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
In Zurich, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets more sunshine than Zurich. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 241 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in July than Zurich. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Zurich 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zurich in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Zurich. Also, most visitors come to Zurich for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Zurich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Zurich averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Turku usually receives less sunshine than Zurich during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Turku usually receives around the same amount of rain as Zurich. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Zurich 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zurich in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Zurich. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zurich because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Zurich can be very cold. Turku can be very cold during winter. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Zurich. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Zurich fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Zurich. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zurich receives 55 hours of full sun.
Turku usually gets less rain in January than Zurich. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Zurich 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Turku or Zurich in the Spring?
Both Zurich and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Zurich this time of year.
The weather in Turku can be very cold. Turku is much colder than Zurich in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Zurich fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Turku usually receives more sunshine than Zurich during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Zurich receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Zurich. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Zurich receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Zurich 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Zurich and Turku
| Turku | Zurich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.