A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Turku vs. Bologna for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Turku or Bologna?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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.

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Turku?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is €159, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €188. 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 Bologna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Bologna 87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Bologna 174
Compare Hotels in Turku and Bologna

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Bologna? 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 Turku


Hotels in Bologna


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 Bologna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Bologna 21

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:

  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Módena: $267
  • Bologna to Florence - Departure Private Transfer: $243
  • Private Transfer from Faenza to Bologna (BLQ) Airport: $241
  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Faenza: $241
  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Ferrara: $235
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Florence - Arrival Private Transfer: $232
  • Private Transfer from Bologna to Grotta Giusti and Montecatini T.: $224
  • Private transfer from Bologna to Florence: $224
  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Baggiovara: $218
  • Balsamic Vinegar Experience with Private Transfer: $203
  • Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer: $203
  • Private Transfer from Bologna Airport to Florence: $203

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Bologna?

Prices for flights to both Bologna 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Turku 56
    Bologna 68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.

  • Sfoglini Cooking class in Bologna: $22
  • Pizza Workshop in Bologna: $30
  • Bologna Private Food Tour Eating around the Centre: $72
  • Authentic Bologna Home Cooking Class: Tagliatelle & Tortellini: $78
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $82
  • Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide: $82
  • Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class: Ragu, Spritz & Mr. Gelato: $88
  • Dinner, Wine & Tastings Walking Tour: $89
  • Tagliatelle & Ragù Home Cooking Class with wine: $90
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Predappio with cooking demo: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Forlimpopoli with Show Cooking: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lama Mocogno with Show Cooking: $101

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Bologna 38

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

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:


  • Food Tour (for 2)
    31
  • Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)
    115
  • Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)
    67
  • National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)
    12
  • Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)
    12

Tours and Activities in Bologna

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:

  • 2 Hours walking tour with food stops: $78
  • Art and taste tour: from Magnani Rocca to Parma ham: $229
  • BOLOGNA PRIVATE FOOD WALKING TOUR (morning or evening): $227
  • Best walking tour of Bologna: $204
  • Bike Tour Bologna: $155
  • Bologna : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour): $54
  • Bologna Audio Tour: Bologna Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Bologna Bites & Stories: A Tasty City Adventure with a Local: $78
  • Bologna By Night Walking Tour: $149
  • Bologna City Center Kids Tour with a Local Guide: $205
  • Bologna City Highlights Private Guided Tour at Night: $205
  • Bologna City Red Bus skip the line and Food tasting: $44

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Bologna 28

Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna

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

  • Bologna Pub Crawl to meet people: $19
  • Private wine tasting of Palazzo di Varignana: $21
  • Wine tasting on the hills of Bologna in Dozza: $36
  • Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $42
  • Parma Hills and Wine Tasting with Food Platter: $58
  • From Wine Tasting and Vineyard Tour with the winemaker: $58
  • Montevecchio Isolani wine tasting experience: $60
  • Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $75
  • Eating Bologna Food and Wine Tour: $113
  • Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with Local Guide : $130
  • Cook Fresh Pasta + Wine Tasting (Includes 4-Course Meal): $147
  • Bologna Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting in the centre: $155


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Bologna, we can see that Bologna 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 Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna 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 Bologna Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Turku or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Bologna, 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 Bologna?

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 Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Bologna because of the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Turku is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Turku in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Bologna 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Turku or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Bologna. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

In October, Turku is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 6°C (43°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Turku usually receives less rain than Bologna. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Bologna 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Turku or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Bologna. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Bologna. It's quite cold in Turku in the winter. Turku is much colder than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Turku averages around -6°C (20°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Bologna 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Turku or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the spring for the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Turku. In the spring, Turku is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Turku in April average around 3°C (37°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Turku usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Bologna. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Bologna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Bologna and Turku

Turku Bologna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 2°C (36°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 9°C (47°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 13°C (55°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 21°C (70°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 23°C (73°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 16°C (61°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 8°C (46°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)