Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Kaunas?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kaunas or Rovaniemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city should you visit? Read on to compare the activities as well as the prices of travel for Kaunas and Rovaniemi. We'll break down costs for accommodation, food, transportation and more to help you learn more about these two destinations. Then, you can figure out if either of these two places are accessible based on your travel budget, schedule, and interests. So, let's dig into it.
Where Should I go: Kaunas or Rovaniemi?
Kaunas
Kaunas is the second biggest city in Lithuania, located at the country's center. It is a city of medieval history as well as modern entertainment with castle ruins, churches, and cathedrals, as well as galleries, museums, theatres, and outdoor recreation.
Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, in northern Finland. Almost totally destroyed during World War II, today it's a modern city known for being the "official" home town of Santa Claus, and for viewing the Northern Lights. It's home to Arktikum, a museum and science center exploring the Arctic region and the history of Finnish Lapland. The Science Centre Pilke features interactive exhibits on northern forests.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Tours for Seniors to Lithuania, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKaunas €95Rovaniemi €174
The average daily cost (per person) in Kaunas is €95, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is €174. 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 Kaunas and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKaunas €44Rovaniemi €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKaunas €88Rovaniemi €186
Compare Hotels in Kaunas and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Kaunas or Rovaniemi? 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: Kaunas Hotel Prices and Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kaunas €17Rovaniemi €31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kaunas
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kaunas:
- Private Transfer from Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN by car: $46
- Private Kaunas Airport to City Transfer: $48
- Departure Private Transfer Kaunas City to Kaunas Airport KUN by Minivan: $56
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $56
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $75
- Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $77
- Rovaniemi Private City Transfer by Luxury Vehicule : $83
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $86
- Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $87
- Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre to Rovaniemi airport: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Kaunas or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Kaunas 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 dayKaunas €37Rovaniemi €47
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rovaniemi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rovaniemi.
- Snow Restaurant Dinner Tour: $116
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $134
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $147
- From SnowHotel Aurora Experience with Dinner: $149
- Best Of Lapland: Sauna, Ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights : $169
- Private Sauna, Jacuzzi and Dinner: $176
- Romantic Glass Igloo Dinner under Northern Lights : $223
- Northern Lights dinner in a Glass Igloo: $234
- Aurora Borealis Dinner in a Glass Igloo: $234
- PRIVATE Party dinner in a Glass Igloo Under Northern Lights : $240
- PRIVATE Glass Igloo Dinner Under Northern Lights : $240
- Private Glass Igloo Dinner on the Shore of Frozen Lake: $245
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kaunas €19Rovaniemi €48
Tours and Activities in Kaunas
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Kaunas are as follows:
- Kaunas Old Town tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $55
- Recreational Tour in Kaunas - The City of Freedom: $64
- Private Custom Walking Tour with a Local Guide in Kaunas: $76
- Kaunas Private Walking Tour: $84
- Kaunas Tour: Love Stories: $86
- Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Ghost Tour: $86
- Kaunas city center tour + IX Fort Museum (BONUS): $109
- Kaunas, Lithuania 2-Hour Sightseeing Tour: $144
- Kaunas Tour: Love Stories: $170
- Kaunas Old Town: 2-Hour Ghost Tour: $170
- Kayak Tour in Nemunas: $185
- 2-Hour Sightseeing Walking Tour: $191
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Essential A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- SnowGlow Winterpark Entry Ticket: $26
- Snowman World Entrance Ticket: $31
- Guided Supermarket Tour: $37
- Tour to Aurora Horses Farm with Charming Finnhorses: $38
- Guided Northern Lights Tour by Van: $74
- BBQ Picnic Experience under Northern Lights: $74
- Private Aurora Borealis Car Tour with Hot Drinks: $74
- Bus Tour with Hunting Northern Lights: $75
- Guided tour in Santa Claus village with hotel pick up: $80
- Lapland: Aurora Borealis BBQ Tour: $80
- From Northern Lights Photo Tour with Pickup: $80
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKaunas €16Rovaniemi €21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kaunas and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Kaunas much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kaunas would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kaunas 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 Rovaniemi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Rovaniemi than you might in Kaunas.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kaunas Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kaunas or Rovaniemi?
Kaunas has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Kaunas and Rovaniemi, 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 Kaunas or Rovaniemi?
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 Kaunas or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
Both Rovaniemi and Kaunas are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Kaunas because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Kaunas is a little warmer than Rovaniemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 18°C (64°F) in July, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Rovaniemi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Kaunas. Kaunas usually receives less sunshine than Rovaniemi during summer. Kaunas gets 256 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Kaunas usually receives more rain than Rovaniemi. Kaunas gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKaunas 18°C (64°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
Both Rovaniemi and Kaunas during the autumn are popular places to visit. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Kaunas this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the autumn, Kaunas is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kaunas in October average around 8°C (46°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In the autumn, Kaunas often gets more sunshine than Rovaniemi. Kaunas gets 99 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun.
Kaunas usually gets less rain in October than Rovaniemi. Kaunas gets 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKaunas 8°C (46°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Kaunas and Rovaniemi. Many travelers come to Kaunas for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kaunas. In January, Kaunas is generally much warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Kaunas average around -5°C (23°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
Kaunas usually receives more sunshine than Rovaniemi during winter. Kaunas gets 40 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Kaunas usually receives less rain than Rovaniemi. Kaunas gets 39 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKaunas -5°C (23°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Kaunas or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Kaunas as well as Rovaniemi. Many visitors come to Kaunas in the spring for the activities around the city.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. Kaunas is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Kaunas averages around 7°C (44°F) in April, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the spring, Kaunas often gets less sunshine than Rovaniemi. Kaunas gets 175 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun.
Kaunas usually gets more rain in April than Rovaniemi. Kaunas gets 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKaunas 7°C (44°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Kaunas
| Kaunas | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (25°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 0°C (33°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (44°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 13°C (56°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 16°C (62°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (64°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (63°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.