A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Kemi vs. Flam for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Kemi or Flam?

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 Kemi and Flam. 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: Kemi or Flam?

Kemi

Kemi is a town on Bothnian Bay in Lapland, Finland. It's known for the massive Sampo icebreaker, a giant ship built to ply the Arctic waters. The main economic activity in Kemi is centered on two large paper and wood pulp mills and on the only chromium mine in Europe. Kemi also has a claim to fame as the home of the world's largest snow castle (reconstructed every year with a different design). The SnowCastle is usually located at the inner harbor of Kemi.

Flam

Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kemi and Flam, we can see that Kemi is more expensive. And not only is Flam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flam 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 Kemi would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Kemi than you might in Flam.

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

Which is Bigger, Kemi or Flam?

Kemi has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Kemi and Flam, 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 Kemi or Flam?

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 Kemi or Flam in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Flam. Furthermore, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Flam this time of year.

In July, Kemi is generally around the same temperature as Flam. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Flam fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Flam receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Kemi usually receives less rain than Flam. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kemi or Flam in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Flam. Additionally, many travelers come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

It's quite cold in Kemi in the autumn. Kemi is much colder than Flam in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

It's quite rainy in Flam. Kemi usually gets less rain in October than Flam. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kemi or Flam in the Winter?

Both Flam and Kemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Flam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. In the winter, Kemi is much colder than Flam. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Flam averages at about 2°C (35°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In January, Kemi usually receives less rain than Flam. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kemi or Flam in the Spring?

Both Flam and Kemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.

Kemi can get quite cold in the spring. In April, Kemi is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Flam fluctuates around 6°C (43°F).

Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Kemi usually gets less rain in April than Flam. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Flam and Kemi