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

Should you visit Turku or Wellington?

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

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

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.

Wellington

Wellington is the capital and second largest city in New Zealand. It sits on the southwestern edge of the North Island between Cook Strait and the Rimutaka Range. It's a beautiful setting that is encircled by mountains giving it a beautiful backdrop. There are also many cultural sights and attractions around town. Wellington really is the perfect mix of New Zealand's natural beauty and a vibrant urban core. The film industry is also prevelant in the city. The city's production centers have helped create Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit trilogies, Avatar, Tin Tin, and District 9.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in New Zealand, and The Best Adventure Tours to New Zealand.


Which place is cheaper, Wellington 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 Wellington is €106. 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 Wellington in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Turku 76
    Wellington 51
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Turku 152
    Wellington 102
Compare Hotels in Turku and Wellington

Looking for a hotel in Turku or Wellington? 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 Wellington


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 Wellington Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Turku 44
    Wellington 9.92

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Turku

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

  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku city centre to Turku airport: $80
  • Turku Private Transfer from Turku (TKU) Airport to City centre: $80

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Wellington

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

  • Wellington Airport(WLG) to Wellington-Round-Trip Private Transfer: $156
  • Private Transfer from Wellington hotels to Wellington Cruise Port: $106
  • WLG Airport to City Private RoundTrip Transfer: $93
  • Private Airport Transfer Service Vice Versa in Wellington by SUV: $75
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Transfers & Tour: $59
  • Private Large SUV Airport Transfers Wellington - Executive Travel: $58
  • Wētā Workshop Guided Tour Ticket + Transfer: $57
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Airport (WLG) to Wellington Port: $26
  • Private Transfer from Wellington Port to Wellington Airport (WLG): $26

Is it cheaper to fly into Turku or Wellington?

Prices for flights to both Wellington 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
    Wellington 43

Typical Food Prices in Wellington

For Wellington, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Dinner
    7.56

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Wellington

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

  • 3 Hour Walking Food Tour: $125

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Turku 22
    Wellington 14

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 Wellington

For Wellington, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Auckland: Wētā Workshop Unleashed Creative Classes Ticket: $38
  • Axe Throwing Lesson and Tournament: $33
  • Craft beers & car museum - Half Day Tour incl beverage samples: $99
  • Craft beers & car museums - Full Day Tour incl beverage samples: $168
  • Discover Wellington 3 hour City Tour : $53
  • From Half-Day Foodie Tour of the Wairarapa: $108
  • From Kapiti Island Classic Guided Day Tour: $289
  • From Martinborough Winery Tour: $111
  • From Remutaka Rail Trail eBike Tour: $127
  • Full Day Guided Wellington Tour including Cable Car: $150
  • Full Day Lord of the Rings Tour: $177
  • Full Day Tour of Wellington: $177

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Turku 12
    Wellington 10

Sample the Local Flavors in Wellington

Also in Wellington, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:

  • Wellington Craft Brewery Half-Day Guided Tour with Tastings: $99
  • From Martinborough Wine Tasting Tour: $168
  • Exclusive Martinborough Wine Tour: $210
  • Chefs Private Martinborough wine tour with Gourmet Lunch: $391


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Turku and Wellington, we can see that Turku is more expensive. And not only is Wellington much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Turku is in Europe and Wellington is in Pacific, 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 Wellington would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Wellington 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 Wellington.

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


Which is Bigger, Turku or Wellington?

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

Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Wellington is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Turku has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].

Should I visit Turku or Wellington in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Turku and Wellington. Also, most visitors come to Wellington for the beaches, the hiking, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Turku is around the same temperature as Wellington in the summer. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 16°C (61°F) in July, and Wellington fluctuates around 18°C (64°F)in January.

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Wellington this time of the year. In Turku, it's very sunny this time of the year. Turku usually receives more sunshine than Wellington during summer. Turku gets 262 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Turku usually receives more rain than Wellingtonin January. Turku gets 74 mm (2.9 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July and January
    Turku 16°C (61°F) 
    Wellington 18°C (64°F)

Should I visit Turku or Wellington in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Turku as well as Wellington. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Wellington because of the hiking trails and the shopping scene.

In the autumn, Turku is much colder than Wellington. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Turku in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Wellington averages at about 15°C (58°F)in April.

In the autumn, Turku often gets less sunshine than Wellingtonin April. Turku gets 90 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 163 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in October than Wellingtonin April. Turku gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October and April
    Turku 6°C (43°F) 
    Wellington 15°C (58°F)

Should I visit Turku or Wellington in the Winter?

Both Wellington and Turku are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Wellington this time of year.

The weather in Turku can be very cold. In January, Turku is generally much colder than Wellingtonin July. Daily temperatures in Turku average around -6°C (20°F), and Wellington fluctuates around 10°C (49°F).

Turku usually receives less sunshine than Wellington during winter. Turku gets 39 hours of sunny skies, while Wellington receives 122 hours of full sun in the winter.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Wellington. In January, Turku usually receives less rain than Wellingtonin July. Turku gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 111 mm (4.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January and July
    Turku -6°C (20°F) 
    Wellington 10°C (49°F)

Should I visit Turku or Wellington in the Spring?

Both Wellington and Turku during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Wellington for the beaches.

It's quite cold in Turku in the spring. Turku is much colder than Wellington in the spring. The daily temperature in Turku averages around 3°C (37°F) in April, and Wellington fluctuates around 13°C (55°F)in October.

In the spring, Turku often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Wellingtonin October. Turku gets 182 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Wellington receives 180 hours of full sun.

Turku usually gets less rain in April than Wellingtonin October. Turku gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Wellington receives 93 mm (3.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April and October
    Turku 3°C (37°F) 
    Wellington 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Wellington and Turku

Turku Wellington
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -6°C (20°F) 46 mm (1.8 in) 18°C (64°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 18°C (64°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Mar -3°C (27°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Apr 3°C (37°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 15°C (58°F) 82 mm (3.2 in)
May 9°C (49°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) 12°C (54°F) 92 mm (3.6 in)
Jun 14°C (58°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) 10°C (51°F) 113 mm (4.4 in)
Jul 16°C (61°F) 74 mm (2.9 in) 10°C (49°F) 111 mm (4.4 in)
Aug 15°C (59°F) 83 mm (3.2 in) 10°C (50°F) 98 mm (3.9 in)
Sep 10°C (51°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 12°C (53°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Oct 6°C (43°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 13°C (55°F) 93 mm (3.7 in)
Nov 1°C (33°F) 67 mm (2.6 in) 15°C (58°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
Dec -4°C (25°F) 57 mm (2.3 in) 17°C (62°F) 69 mm (2.7 in)