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

Should you visit Turku or Ghent?

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

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

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.

Ghent

Ghent is a large city in the northern part of Belgium (the Flanders region) with a population of about 250,000. This city was one of the most powerful cities in Europe during the Middle Ages, which is portrayed today, mostly through architecture. There is a large university in Ghent with over 60,000 students, and a large portion of the population are young students. However, among the natives and students, there are also many foreigners and artists that you will find walking the streets of the city. Ghent is also Belgium's second largest port city.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Cultural Tours in Belgium, and The Best Budget Tours to Belgium.

When comparing the travel costs between Turku and Ghent, 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 Turku Expensive? and Is Ghent Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Turku or Ghent?

Ghent has a larger population, and is about 32% larger than the population of Turku. When comparing the sizes of Turku and Ghent, 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 Ghent?

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 Ghent in the Summer?

Both Ghent and Turku during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Ghent in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

In July, Turku is generally around the same temperature as Ghent. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 16°C (61°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In Ghent, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Turku. In the summer, Turku often gets more sunshine than Ghent. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 202 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets more rain in July than Ghent. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 66 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Ghent in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Ghent. Also, most visitors come to Ghent for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Turku is much colder than Ghent in the autumn. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 6°C (43°F) in October, and Ghent fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Ghent during autumn. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 105 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Turku usually receives less rain than Ghent. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Turku or Ghent in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Turku as well as Ghent. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Ghent because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Ghent can be very cold. Turku can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Turku is much colder than Ghent. Typically, the winter temperatures in Turku in January average around -6°C (20°F), and Ghent averages at about 3°C (38°F).

In the winter, Turku often gets less sunshine than Ghent. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Ghent receives 47 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in January than Ghent. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Turku or Ghent in the Spring?

Both Ghent and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Ghent this time of year.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In April, Turku is generally much colder than Ghent. Daily temperatures in Turku average around 3°C (37°F), and Ghent fluctuates around 8°C (47°F).

Turku usually receives more sunshine than Ghent during spring. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies, while Ghent receives 158 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Turku usually receives less rain than Ghent. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Ghent receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Ghent and Turku