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

Should you visit Kemi or Tromso?

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 Tromso. 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 Tromso?

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.

Tromso

The city of Tromso, in northern Norway, is named after the island of Tromsoya, on which it stands. Tromso is located 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and is the largest city in Northern Norway. From September to March many people come to Tromso to see the northern lights. From 20 May to 20 July the midnight sun makes it possible to do as the locals and participate in various activities around the clock. In general, Tromso has a mild climate for such a northerly destination because of its seaside location and the warming effect of the Gulf stream. The area has a modern mix of outdoor activities, a vibrant nightlife, and places to eat local food.

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

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

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

Which is Bigger, Kemi or Tromso?

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

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 Tromso in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Tromso. Furthermore, the summer months attract visitors to Tromso because of the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Kemi is a little warmer than Tromso. Typically, the summer temperatures in Kemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Tromso averages at about 12°C (54°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Tromso this time of the year. In Kemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during summer. Kemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 205 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Kemi usually receives less rain than Tromso. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 72 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Kemi or Tromso in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Tromso. Additionally, the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Tromso this time of year.

It's quite cold in Tromso in the autumn. The weather in Kemi can be very cold. In October, Kemi is generally cooler than Tromso. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Tromso fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).

In the autumn, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Kemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 49 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Tromso. Kemi usually gets less rain in October than Tromso. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 125 mm (4.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Kemi or Tromso in the Winter?

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

Be prepared for some very cold days in Tromso. It's quite cold in Kemi in the winter. Kemi is much colder than Tromso in the winter. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Tromso fluctuates around -4°C (25°F).

Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Tromso during winter. Kemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Tromso receives 3 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Kemi usually receives less rain than Tromso. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Kemi or Tromso in the Spring?

Both Tromso and Kemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Tromso in the spring for the small town charm and the natural beauty.

Tromso can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Kemi. In the spring, Kemi is much colder than Tromso. Typically, the spring temperatures in Kemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Tromso averages at about 1°C (33°F).

In the spring, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Tromso. Kemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Tromso receives 160 hours of full sun.

Kemi usually gets less rain in April than Tromso. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Tromso receives 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Tromso and Kemi