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

Should you visit Kemi or Kiel?

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 Kiel. 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 Kiel?

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.

Kiel

Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.

For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.

When comparing the travel costs between Kemi and Kiel, we can see that Kiel 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 Kemi Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Kemi or Kiel?

Kiel has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Kemi. When comparing the sizes of Kemi and Kiel, 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 Kiel?

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 Kemi or Kiel in the Summer?

Both Kiel and Kemi during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Kemi is around the same temperature as Kiel in the summer. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Kiel, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Kemi. In the summer, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Kemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun.

Kemi usually gets less rain in July than Kiel. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kemi or Kiel in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Kiel. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. In the autumn, Kemi is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Kemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Kiel averages at about 10°C (50°F).

Kemi usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during autumn. Kemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Kemi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Kiel. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Kemi or Kiel in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Kiel. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Kiel can be very cold during winter. Kemi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Kemi is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 0°C (33°F).

In the winter, Kemi often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Kemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun.

Kemi usually gets less rain in January than Kiel. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kemi or Kiel in the Spring?

Both Kiel and Kemi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.

Kemi can be very cold during spring. Kemi is much colder than Kiel in the spring. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during spring. Kemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Kemi usually receives less rain than Kiel. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Kiel and Kemi