Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Lulea?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Lulea or Rovaniemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Lulea and Rovaniemi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Lulea or Rovaniemi?
Lulea
Lulea is in northern Sweden, in Norrbotten. It's a mid sized city with about 70,000 residents. It also has a technical university, the Lulea University of Technology, which was created in 1971. The city of Lulea is located at the mouth of Lule River on the Gulf of Bothnia. The city's economy is focused on research, education, trade and services. The university's educational programs appeal to new businesses that range from local companies to multinational corporations. There is also a prominant IT sector in the city.
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 Coach Bus Tours in Sweden, The Best Adventure Tours to Sweden, 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 dayLulea $105Rovaniemi $186
The average daily cost (per person) in Lulea is $105, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is $186. 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 Lulea and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personLulea $55Rovaniemi $100
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomLulea $110Rovaniemi $200
Compare Hotels in Lulea and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Lulea 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: Lulea Hotel Prices and Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Lulea $21Rovaniemi $33
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $115
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $86
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $385
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $56
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $55
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kirkenes: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Lulea or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Lulea 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 dayLulea $35Rovaniemi $51
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.Lulea $16Rovaniemi $52
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 dayLulea $18Rovaniemi $23
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Lulea and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Lulea much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Lulea would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Lulea 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 Lulea.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Lulea Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Lulea or Rovaniemi?
Lulea has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Lulea 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 Lulea 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 Lulea or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Lulea and Rovaniemi.
Lulea is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In Lulea, it's very sunny this time of the year. Lulea usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi during summer. Lulea gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Lulea usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rovaniemi. Lulea gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyLulea 15°C (60°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Lulea or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Lulea as well as Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. Be prepared for some very cold days in Lulea. In the autumn, Lulea is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Lulea in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In the autumn, Lulea often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi. Lulea gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun.
Lulea usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rovaniemi. Lulea gets 64 mm (2.5 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 OctoberLulea 2°C (36°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Lulea or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
Both Rovaniemi and Lulea are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. Lulea can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Lulea is generally around the same temperature as Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Lulea average around -12°C (10°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
Lulea usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi during winter. Lulea gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Lulea usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rovaniemi. Lulea gets 44 mm (1.7 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 JanuaryLulea -12°C (10°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Lulea or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
Both Rovaniemi and Lulea during the spring are popular places to visit.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Lulea can be very cold during spring. Lulea is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Lulea averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the spring, Lulea often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi. Lulea gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun.
Lulea usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Rovaniemi. Lulea gets 29 mm (1.1 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 AprilLulea -1°C (31°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Lulea
| Lulea | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.