Which place is cheaper, Cuenca or Turku?
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 Turku or Cuenca?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Turku or Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
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.
Cuenca
Cuenca is a vibrant colonial city in southern Ecuador, the third largest in the country, and the capital of Azuay Province. Cuenca is considered as Ecuador's most important and beautiful colonial city after Quito. Dating from the 16th century, Cuenca's historic center, a Unesco World Heritage Site with its trademark skyline of massive rotundas and soaring steeples, is a magical sight in which you will feel like you are moving back in time. Cuenca is the center of many craft traditions, including ceramics, metalwork and the internationally famous panama hat. The nearby villages also offer many other handicrafts. Tourists enjoy wandering the ancient streets discovering picturesque alleys and hidden corners, where nuns march along cobblestone streets and kids in Catholic-school uniforms skip past historic churches. Fascinating historic monuments and fabulous views are found at every turn. Cuenca also has outstanding art museums and festivals. For a rewarding cultural experience, visit during Easter to attend the Festival of Religious Music.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Wildlife Tours to Ecuador, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Ecuador.
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Turku Prices
Finland PricesCuenca Prices
Ecuador Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTurku $187Cuenca $53
The average daily cost (per person) in Turku is $187, while the average daily cost in Cuenca is $53. 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 Cuenca in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTurku $89Cuenca $13
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTurku $178Cuenca $26
Compare Hotels in Turku and Cuenca
Looking for a hotel in Turku or Cuenca? 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 Cuenca Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Turku $52Cuenca $11
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Cuenca:
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Taxi Ride$2.00
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cuenca
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cuenca:
- Cuenca to/from Guayaquil Private Transfer: $80
- Cuenca Airport Transfer: $13
Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Cuenca?
Prices for flights to both Cuenca 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 $65Cuenca $26
Typical Food Prices in Cuenca
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cuenca:
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Lunch$10
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Snacks$5.00
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Empanada$1.50
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Hot Dog$1.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cuenca
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cuenca.
- Street food Tour in Cuenca,Ecuador: $33
- Cooking Class & Market Tour in Cuenca: $55
- Experience Ecuador: Join an Andean Cooking Class in Cuenca: $85
- Private Cooking Class: $125
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Turku $26Cuenca $16
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
Tours and Activities in Cuenca
Here are a few actual costs in Cuenca for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cuenca-Ec- Highlights City Tour : $16
- Amazing Cajas National Park Tour from Cuenca: $47
- Azuay Cuenca Ecuador Tour: $1,300
- Biking Cuenca City Tour: $50
- Birdwatching Tour Cajas Park and Tamarindo Tropical Forest area from Cuenca: $130
- Birdwatching Tour in Cajas National Park from Cuenca: $100
- Birdwatching Tour, Via Gualaceo to the Eastern slope from Cuenca: $130
- Cajas National Park FULL-DAY Tour from Cuenca: $55
- Cajas National Park Half Day Tour from Cuenca: $39
- Cajas National Park Small-Group tour from Cuenca: $48
- Cajas National Park and Cuenca City private Tour: $110
- Complete excursion Ingapirca & Gualaceo Chordeleg Tour Archaeological Artisanal: $60
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTurku $14Cuenca $14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Cuenca, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Cuenca much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe and Cuenca is in South 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 Cuenca would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cuenca 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 Turku would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Turku than you might in Cuenca.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Turku Expensive? and Is Cuenca Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Turku or Cuenca?
Cuenca has a larger population, and is about 57% larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Cuenca, 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 Cuenca?
Turku has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Cuenca experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.
Should I visit Turku or Cuenca in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Turku as well as Cuenca. The warm climate attracts visitors to Cuenca throughout the year.
Turku is cooler than Cuenca in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Cuenca fluctuates around 22°C (72°F).
Turku usually gets more rain in July than Cuenca. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 17 mm (0.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTurku 16°C (61°F)Cuenca 22°C (72°F)
Should I visit Turku or Cuenca in the Autumn?
Both Cuenca and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Cuenca because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.
In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Cuenca. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Cuenca averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In October, Turku usually receives more rain than Cuenca. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberTurku 6°C (43°F)Cuenca 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Turku or Cuenca in the Winter?
Both Cuenca and Turku during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Cuenca year-round.
The weather in Cuenca can be very cold. Turku can be very cold during winter. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Cuenca. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Cuenca fluctuates around 4°C (39°F).
Turku usually gets more rain in January than Cuenca. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryTurku -6°C (20°F)Cuenca 4°C (39°F)
Should I visit Turku or Cuenca in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Cuenca. Cuenca attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.
The weather in Turku can be very cold. Turku is much colder than Cuenca in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Cuenca fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In April, Turku usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cuenca. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Cuenca receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilTurku 3°C (37°F)Cuenca 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cuenca and Turku
| Turku | Cuenca | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -6°C (20°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 14 mm (0.6 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 22 mm (0.9 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (37°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| May | 9°C (49°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 14°C (57°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (58°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 17 mm (0.7 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.2 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (51°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 20 mm (0.8 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 15 mm (0.6 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.