Which place is cheaper, Turku or Athens?
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 Athens or Turku?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Athens and Turku. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Athens or Turku?
Athens
Athens is the capital city of Greece and is home to a population of over 3.7 million people. It's most famous as the birthplace of Classical Greece and the history in the city is incomparable to that found anywhere. It became the national capital of the modern Greek State in the 1830s, before which it was just a small village with a very impressive history. The city was redesigned by architects and city planners and incorporated large public squares, lots of green space, and wide avenues. The city has had its ups and downs both economically and politically, but it remains a beautiful and impressive place to explore.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in Greece, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Greece, The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, and The Best Budget Tours to Finland.
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Athens Prices
Greece PricesTurku Prices
Finland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayAthens €154Turku €159
The average daily cost (per person) in Athens is €154, while the average daily cost in Turku is €159. 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 Athens and Turku in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personAthens €63Turku €76
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomAthens €126Turku €152
Compare Hotels in Athens and Turku
Looking for a hotel in Athens or Turku? 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: Athens Hotel Prices and Turku Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Athens €27Turku €44
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Athens:
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Airport Bus for Two€6.40
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Metro€1.50
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Metro€2.00
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Metro from Airport to City Center€8.00
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Taxi from Airport€35
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Athens
Also for Athens, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer to/from Volos: $575
- Private Transfer From Athens To Meteora - Kalabaka: $300
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Kyllini Port/Hotels: $287
- Private Transfer Athens/ATH/Piraeus to Costa Navarino: $287
- Athens to Volos Private Transfer: $281
- Private Transfer from Athens Airport (ATH) to Nafplio Cruise Port: $280
- Private Transfer from Athens/Piraeus to Corinth-Loutraki or vice versa: $275
- VIP Ferry Ticket From Piraeus Port To Santorini & Private Transfer Included: $274
- Athens Half Day Round Trip Multiple Destination Transfer: $273
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to NAFPLIO, up to 4 customers: $269
- Athens to Kalamata Private Transfer: $269
- Transfer from PIRAEUS PORT to EPIDAVROS, up to 4 customers: $268
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: $80
- Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $80
Is it cheaper to fly into Athens or Turku?
Prices for flights to both Turku and Athens 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 dayAthens €64Turku €56
Typical Food Prices in Athens
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Athens:
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Ice cream€3.00
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Souvlaki€2.20
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Athens
For Athens, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Hard Rock Cafe Athens with Set Lunch or Dinner: $30
- Athens Greek Wedding Party Dinner Show with Acropolis Views: $42
- Foodies’ Favorite Food tour: $51
- Cooking Class at Diamond Roof Garden: $66
- The Bizarre Food Tour of Athens: $78
- Koukaki Food Tour with a Local Friend: $78
- Traditional Greek Cooking Class and Organic Lunch on Poros: $81
- Athens Walking Food Tour with Visit to Varvakios Central Market: $82
- Eat like an Athenian food tour of Athens: $82
- Traditional Cooking Classes incl. Drinks: $82
- Taste of Athens Small-Group Food Tour: $84
- Athens Evening Food Tour: $87
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Athens €36Turku €22
Tours and Activities in Athens
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Athens.
- Acropolis/Athens Highlights Private Evening Tour (5 hours) from Athens, Piraeus: $161
- Apostle Paul's missionary journys in Athens Private Tour 4Hours: $157
- Athens Gems & Charms for the First Time Cruise Passengers: $94
- Island Swimming Day Cruise—DJ, Lunch & Drinks incl.: $154
- Best Food Tasting Tour of Athens, taste 18+ iconic Greek foods! : $93
- Mycenae Epidaurus Nafplio Isthmus Canal Private Luxury Tour : $239
- Mycenae, Epidaurus & Nafplio Full-Day V.R audio guided Tour: $28
- Olive Oil Tasting Farm Experience, Corinth Canal, Nafplio: $186
- Private Full Day Tour in Delphi: $219
- Private Luxury Tour: Athens Riviera & The Temple of Poseidon: $155
- Traditional Villages Full day Tour in Santorini: $65
- "Athens Highlights Tour : Acropolis, Acropolis Museum and more.": $179
Tours and Activities in Turku
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Turku.
- Experience Turku with a local guide: $287
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayAthens €23Turku €12
Sample the Local Flavors in Athens
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Athens:
- Greek Honey Tasting Experience at our Old Distillery: $14
- Polykala Distillery: 128 years of history & liqueur tasting.: $17
- The NightCrawlers | Athens Bar Hopping | Pub Crawl: $19
- Liquer tasting in Polykala's Distillery Show Room in Athens: $19
- Saturday Night Pub Crawl for Professionals in Athens, Greece: $25
- Experience Ouzo Tasting at Athens Oldest Distillery: $26
- Athens Ultimate Bar Crawl: $48
- 2 Hours Wine Tasting Odyssey in Athens: $59
- Greek Wine Tasting with Acropolis view: $59
- Best rated Acropolis Wine Tasting : $59
- Acropolis Private Wine Tasting @ Finewine store : $67
- Greek food and wine tasting: $71
When comparing the travel costs between Athens and Turku, we can see that Turku 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 Athens Expensive? and Is Turku Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Athens or Turku?
Athens has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Athens and Turku, 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 Athens or Turku?
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 Athens or Turku in the Summer?
Both Turku and Athens are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Athens in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Athens is generally much warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 27°C (81°F), and Turku fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
It's quite sunny in Turku. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Athens. Athens usually receives more sunshine than Turku during summer. Athens gets 357 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 262 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Athens usually receives less rain than Turku. Athens gets 6 mm (0.2 in) of rain, while Turku receives 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyAthens 27°C (81°F)Turku 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Athens or Turku in the Autumn?
Both Turku and Athens during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Athens for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Athens is much warmer than Turku in the autumn. The daily temperature in Athens averages around 19°C (67°F) in October, and Turku fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).
It's quite sunny in Athens. In the autumn, Athens often gets more sunshine than Turku. Athens gets 206 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 90 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in October than Turku. Athens gets 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain, while Turku receives 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberAthens 19°C (67°F)Turku 6°C (43°F)
Should I visit Athens or Turku in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Athens and Turku. The winter months attract visitors to Athens because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
It's quite cold in Turku in the winter. In the winter, Athens is much warmer than Turku. Typically, the winter temperatures in Athens in January average around 10°C (51°F), and Turku averages at about -6°C (20°F).
Athens usually receives more sunshine than Turku during winter. Athens gets 143 hours of sunny skies, while Turku receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Athens usually receives around the same amount of rain as Turku. Athens gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Turku receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryAthens 10°C (51°F)Turku -6°C (20°F)
Should I visit Athens or Turku in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Athens as well as Turku. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Athens this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In April, Athens is generally much warmer than Turku. Daily temperatures in Athens average around 16°C (60°F), and Turku fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Athens this time of the year. In the spring, Athens often gets more sunshine than Turku. Athens gets 226 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Turku receives 182 hours of full sun.
Athens usually gets less rain in April than Turku. Athens gets 25 mm (1 in) of rain, while Turku receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilAthens 16°C (60°F)Turku 3°C (37°F)
Typical Weather for Turku and Athens
| Athens | Turku | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | 10°C (51°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | 12°C (54°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 16°C (60°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| May | 20°C (68°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Jun | 24°C (76°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Jul | 27°C (81°F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Aug | 27°C (81°F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) |
| Sep | 24°C (76°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Oct | 19°C (67°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Nov | 16°C (60°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | 12°C (54°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 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.