Which place is cheaper, Zermatt or Kemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Kemi or Zermatt?
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 Zermatt. 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 Zermatt?
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.
Zermatt
Located at the foot of the Matterhorn, Zermatt is a Swiss village best known for its skiing, climbing, and hiking opportunities. It has become a popular mountain resort town due to its location and also features a number of boutique shops, hotels, and restaurants that cater to the vacationers who come to enjoy the many winter activities of the Alps.
For some great organized tour ideas, see Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Adventure Tours to Finland, The Best Sightseeing Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayKemi €134Zermatt €209
The average daily cost (per person) in Kemi is €134, while the average daily cost in Zermatt is €209. 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 Kemi and Zermatt in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personKemi €74Zermatt €118
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomKemi €148Zermatt €236
Compare Hotels in Kemi and Zermatt
Looking for a hotel in Kemi or Zermatt? 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: Zermatt Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Kemi €39Zermatt €50
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Zermatt
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Zermatt:
- Zermatt to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $141
- Private Transfer Zurich Airport to Zermatt Tasch Station: $1,087
- Cervinia, Italy to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Private Transfer: $127
- Breuil-Cervinia to Milan Malpensa Airport MXP-Departure Transfer: $118
- 3-Hour Private Transfer from Zermatt and Saa to Geneva Airport: $235
Is it cheaper to fly into Kemi or Zermatt?
Prices for flights to both Zermatt and Kemi 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 dayKemi €34Zermatt €53
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Zermatt
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Zermatt.
- Evening Tapas Tour with Dinner and Drinks: $119
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Kemi €29Zermatt €53
Tours and Activities in Kemi
For Kemi, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- SnowExperience365 Kemi entrance: $19
Tours and Activities in Zermatt
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Zermatt are as follows:
- Basel Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $885
- Basel: Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tour: $1,067
- Bern Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $856
- Bern Private Tour: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise: $801
- Bern: Gornergrat Railway & Matterhorn Glacier Paradise Tour: $984
- From Basel: Zermatt and Mt. Gornergrat Small Group Tour: $530
- From Bern: Zermatt Guided Tour with Matterhorn Railway Pass: $530
- From Zurich: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise Private Tour: $885
- Interlaken Private Tour to Gornergrat & Matterhorn Paradise: $1,026
- Interlaken Private Tour: Zermatt & Gornergrat Scenic Railway: $843
- Interlaken Private Tour: Zermatt Village & Glacier Paradise: $801
- Majestic Hiking Private Tour in Zermatt with pick up: $1,692
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayKemi €12Zermatt €26
Sample the Local Flavors in Zermatt
Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Zermatt:
- Wine Tasting in Valais: $84
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Kemi and Zermatt, we can see that Zermatt is more expensive. And not only is Kemi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kemi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kemi 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 Zermatt would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Zermatt than you might in Kemi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Kemi Expensive? and Is Zermatt Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Kemi or Zermatt?
Kemi has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Zermatt. When comparing the sizes of Kemi and Zermatt, 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 Zermatt?
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 Zermatt in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Kemi as well as Zermatt. Additionally, many visitors come to Zermatt in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Kemi is generally cooler than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kemi this time of the year. In the summer, Kemi often gets more sunshine than Zermatt. Kemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 250 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Zermatt. Kemi usually gets less rain in July than Zermatt. Kemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyKemi 15°C (60°F)Zermatt 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Zermatt in the Autumn?
Both Zermatt and Kemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Zermatt for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Kemi can get quite cold in the autumn. Kemi is much colder than Zermatt in the autumn. The daily temperature in Kemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Zermatt fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).
Kemi usually receives less sunshine than Zermatt during autumn. Kemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
It rains a lot this time of the year in Zermatt. In October, Kemi usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Kemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberKemi 2°C (36°F)Zermatt 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Zermatt in the Winter?
Both Zermatt and Kemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Zermatt because of the skiing, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Zermatt can be very cold. Kemi can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Kemi is much colder than Zermatt. Typically, the winter temperatures in Kemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Zermatt averages at about 5°C (41°F).
In the winter, Kemi often gets less sunshine than Zermatt. Kemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Zermatt receives 119 hours of full sun.
Kemi usually gets less rain in January than Zermatt. Kemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryKemi -12°C (10°F)Zermatt 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Kemi or Zermatt in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Kemi and Zermatt. Also, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Zermatt this time of year.
The weather in Kemi can be very cold. In April, Kemi is generally much colder than Zermatt. Daily temperatures in Kemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Zermatt fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
Kemi usually receives more sunshine than Zermatt during spring. Kemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Zermatt receives 176 hours of full sun in the spring.
Zermatt receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Kemi usually receives less rain than Zermatt. Kemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Zermatt receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilKemi -1°C (31°F)Zermatt 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Zermatt and Kemi
| Kemi | Zermatt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.