A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Tampere vs. San Francisco for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Tampere or San Francisco?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and San Francisco can help you decide which place is right for you.

Where Should I go: Tampere or San Francisco?

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.

San Francisco

San Francisco is a beautiful city that is famous for it's picturesque neighborhoods, liberal character, and stunning location on the bay. Some people describe San Francisco as the United State's most "European City." This title most likely comes from its compact development and its easy walkability. It also has no shortage of parks and public spaces where you can pass some time. The city sits on the end of a peninsula and offers stunning views of the blue bay, rolling green hills, and the striking Golden Gate Bridge.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours from Los Angeles, and The Best Family-Friendly Tours to United States of America.


Which place is cheaper, San Francisco or Tampere?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Tampere Prices
    Finland Prices
    San Francisco Prices
    USA Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Tampere $202
    San Francisco $251

The average daily cost (per person) in Tampere is $202, while the average daily cost in San Francisco 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 Tampere and San Francisco in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Tampere $94
    San Francisco $130
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Tampere $188
    San Francisco $260
Compare Hotels in Tampere and San Francisco

Looking for a hotel in Tampere or San Francisco? 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 Tampere


Hotels in San Francisco


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: Tampere Hotel Prices and San Francisco Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Tampere $69
    San Francisco $16

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere

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

  • Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $96

Typical Local Transportation Prices in San Francisco

Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in San Francisco:


  • Taxi to SFO
    $45
  • Golden Gate Bridge Toll
    $6.00
  • Alcatraz Tour
    $30

Hired Cars and Shuttles in San Francisco

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

  • Silicon Valley Private Tour with Transfers: $510
  • SFO Airport Private Transfer to/from Sacramento: $432
  • Napa Valley 1-Way Transfer to/from the San Francisco Airport: $400
  • Arrival Private Transfer SFO Airport to San Francisco City by SUV: $270
  • Departure Private Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport in a SUV: $245
  • Departure Transfer San Francisco to SFO Airport by Luxury Sedan: $245
  • San Francisco to San José Airport (SJC) - Departure Private Transfer: $226
  • Private Luxury Transfer Tour : $200
  • California: Oakland Airport Transfer from San Francisco: $180
  • California: Oakland Airport Transfer to San Francisco: $180
  • San Francisco Airport 1-Way Transfer to/from the City: $180
  • Private Airport Transfer From San Francisco Union Square To SFO: $180

Is it cheaper to fly into Tampere or San Francisco?

Prices for flights to both San Francisco and Tampere 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
    Tampere $66
    San Francisco $79

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampere

For Tampere, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Tampere Food Tour Local Tastings, Meal & Rooftop City Views: $106

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in San Francisco

For San Francisco, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Online Cooking Class Pepper Steak Great for Team Building: $20
  • Online Cooking Class Beijing Dumplings by Chef Sunflower Li: $25
  • No Diet Club - Best street food tour in San Francisco !: $64
  • North Beach and Little Italy Food Tour: $84
  • North Beach & Chinatown Authentic Food Tour: $84
  • San Francisco North Beach & Chinatown Food Tour with 5 Tastings: $85
  • Mission District Food Tour with 6 Tastings: $89
  • Mission District Food Tour with Tastings: $92
  • San Francisco Food Tour: Ferry Building and Ferry Plaza Farmers Market: $95
  • Chinatown Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Mission District Walking Food Tour: $99
  • Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 Food Tour: $99

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Tampere $28
    San Francisco $31

Tours and Activities in Tampere

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

  • Tampere Scenic Bike Tour with Sauna and Local Flavors: $106

Tours and Activities in San Francisco

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

  • Electric Bike Tour De San Francisco: $100
  • Explore San Francisco Napa Sacramento Oakland Black Exp Car Tour: $244
  • Muir Woods and Sausalito Morning Tour Small-Group Half Day: $84
  • North Beach & Little Italy Walking Tour: Food, History & Flavor: $86
  • Private Luxury Car Tour in San Francisco Hotel Kabuki: $99
  • Small Group | 1 Day Tour Through Monterey From San Francisco: $205
  • "Summer of Love" tour in Haight-Ashbury in French: $63
  • 2hr. INTERACTIVE Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
  • 2hr. SUNSET Sailing Experience on San Francisco Bay: $149
  • 2hrs- Beyond the Bridge - Marin Headlands GoCar Tour: $219
  • 3HR Golden Gate Bridge and Golden Gate Park GoCar Tour: $229
  • 90 Minute Daytime Tour Aboard Wine Therapy: $85

For more ideas for your next trip, check out The Best Museums in San Francisco, The Best Outdoor Activities in San Francisco, and Things to Do In San Francisco on a Rainy Day.


Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Tampere $12
    San Francisco $22

Sample the Local Flavors in San Francisco

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in San Francisco:

  • SF Pub Crawl and Clubbing Experience: $17
  • San Francisco Pub Crawl + Clubbing Experience: $27
  • Ghosts, Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl: $30
  • San Francisco Ghosts Boos and Booze Haunted Pub Crawl : $36
  • Walk with Spirits: A Haunted Pub Crawl in San Francisco: $44
  • Walk with Spirits Haunted Pub Crawl: $44
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Class: $49
  • Local Distillery Cocktail Class: Skyline Views and City History: $69
  • Wine Tasting on the Bay: $85
  • From Napa & Sonoma Valley Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
  • Napa Valley Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings: $103
  • 5 hours private napa wine tour from san francisco up to 7 people: $120


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and San Francisco, we can see that San Francisco is more expensive. And not only is Tampere much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tampere is in Europe and San Francisco is in North America, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Tampere would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tampere 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 San Francisco would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in San Francisco than you might in Tampere.

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


Which is Bigger, Tampere or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tampere. When comparing the sizes of Tampere and San Francisco, 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 Tampere or San Francisco?

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 Tampere or San Francisco in the Summer?

Both San Francisco and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to San Francisco for the beaches, the hiking, the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Tampere is around the same temperature as San Francisco. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampere in July average around 16°C (61°F), and San Francisco averages at about 63°F (17°C).

In July, Tampere usually receives more rain than San Francisco. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 0.1 inches (2 mm) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Tampere 16°C (61°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Tampere or San Francisco in the Autumn?

Both San Francisco and Tampere during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to San Francisco in the autumn for the hiking trails, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Tampere is generally much colder than San Francisco. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 5°C (42°F), and San Francisco fluctuates around 63°F (17°C).

Tampere usually gets more rain in October than San Francisco. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.3 inches (33 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Tampere 5°C (42°F) 
    San Francisco 63°F (17°C)

Should I visit Tampere or San Francisco in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and San Francisco. Furthermore, most visitors come to San Francisco for the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine during these months.

Tampere can get quite cold in the winter. Tampere is much colder than San Francisco in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and San Francisco fluctuates around 50°F (10°C).

In January, Tampere usually receives less rain than San Francisco. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 3.8 inches (96 mm) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Tampere -7°C (19°F) 
    San Francisco 50°F (10°C)

Should I visit Tampere or San Francisco in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Tampere as well as San Francisco. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to San Francisco because of the beaches, the activities around the city, and the natural beauty.

Tampere can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Tampere is much colder than San Francisco. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampere in April average around 3°C (38°F), and San Francisco averages at about 58°F (14°C).

Tampere usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as San Francisco. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while San Francisco receives 1.2 inches (31 mm) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Tampere 3°C (38°F) 
    San Francisco 58°F (14°C)

Typical Weather for San Francisco and Tampere

Tampere San Francisco
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -7°C (19°F) 36 mm (1.4 in) 50°F (10°C) 3.8 inches (96 mm)
Feb -7°C (19°F) 24 mm (0.9 in) 54°F (12°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 25 mm (1 in) 56°F (13°C) 2.7 inches (69 mm)
Apr 3°C (38°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 58°F (14°C) 1.2 inches (31 mm)
May 10°C (50°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 60°F (15°C) 0.2 inches (5 mm)
Jun 15°C (58°F) 47 mm (1.9 in) 62°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (3 mm)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 63°F (17°C) 0.1 inches (2 mm)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.3 in) 64°F (18°C) 0.1 inches (1 mm)
Sep 10°C (50°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 66°F (19°C) 0.3 inches (7 mm)
Oct 5°C (42°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 63°F (17°C) 1.3 inches (33 mm)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 57°F (14°C) 2.8 inches (71 mm)
Dec -4°C (24°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 51°F (11°C) 2.7 inches (68 mm)