Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Riga?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Riga or Rovaniemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Riga or Rovaniemi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Riga or Rovaniemi?
Riga
Riga is the vibrant capital city of Latvia. It continues to gain popularity as a tourist destination in part because it is the base for the airline Air Baltic. This affordable airline offers discount flights around Europe and most of these flights pass through Riga with a forced overnight layover. This encourages travelers to visit this fascinating city for at least a night or two.
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 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 dayRiga €104Rovaniemi €174
The average daily cost (per person) in Riga is €104, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is €174. 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 Riga and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRiga €53Rovaniemi €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRiga €106Rovaniemi €186
Compare Hotels in Riga and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Riga 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: Riga Hotel Prices and Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Riga €15Rovaniemi €31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Riga
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Riga:
- Riga Airport to Hotel Transfer: $27
- Private Transfer from Riga City Center to Riga Airport RIX: $32
- Riga Airport Transfer: $33
- Private Transfer From Riga Airport To Riga City Center: $38
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Klaipeda: $39
- Riga City to Riga Airport - Private Transfer: $52
- Riga Airport to Riga City - Private Transfer: $52
- Private Transfer from Riga Airport to Hotel with English speaking driver: $54
- Riga Airport to City Center Private Transfers: $59
- Private Transfer from Riga City to Riga Airport RIX by Car or Van: $70
- Paintball Adventure: Expert Guide & Transfers Included!: $80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $56
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $75
- Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $77
- Rovaniemi Private City Transfer by Luxury Vehicule : $83
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $86
- Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $87
- Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre to Rovaniemi airport: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Riga or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Riga 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 dayRiga €33Rovaniemi €47
Typical Food Prices in Riga
Some typical examples of dining costs in Riga are as follows:
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Fast Food Lunch€5.77
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Riga
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Riga.
- Central Market Latvian Food Tour: $42
- Unique Food Tour: $52
- Medieval Guided Tour & Three-Course Dinner Experience: $96
- Riga Medieval Dinner: $114
- Private Cooking Master Class In The Latvian Family : $131
- Taste Market Tour & Cooking Masterclass: $138
- Cooking Experience with Chef: Learn & Dine: $139
- Latvian Food: Cooking Masterclass with a Chef: $152
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.Riga €21Rovaniemi €48
Tours and Activities in Riga
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Riga are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $6.95
- Riga Old Town Legends Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $7.39
- Entrance Ticket - House of the Black Heads: $7.49
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.45
- Boat tour in Canal and Daugava: $9.62
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Riga Nightlife Ticket: $11
- Canal Boat Sightseeing Tour: $13
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $14
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 dayRiga €20Rovaniemi €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Riga
Also in Riga, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Old town pub & bar crawl, hidden gems, and local party: $25
- Pub Crawl in Riga: $33
- Riga Evening Adventure: Pub Crawl & Games Night: $37
- Riga's Old Town Beer Bike Tour & Guided Pub Crawl: $37
- Riga Happy Hour Pub Crawl: $54
- Riga Beer Killer Bar Crawl: $55
- Latvian Wine Tasting & Monk Show: $75
- Old Town Sightseeing & Latvian Wine Tasting with Show: $96
- Riga Pub Crawl & Party Bus Tour: $523
- Yacht Tour with Medieval Banquet and Wine Tasting: $3,320
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Riga and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Riga much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Riga would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Riga 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 Riga.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Riga Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Riga or Rovaniemi?
Riga has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Riga 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 Riga 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 Riga or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
Both Rovaniemi and Riga are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Riga for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In the summer, Riga is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Riga in July average around 17°C (63°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 15°C (60°F).
In July, Riga usually receives more rain than Rovaniemi. Riga gets 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRiga 17°C (63°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Riga or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
Both Rovaniemi and Riga during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Riga because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the autumn. In October, Riga is generally much warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Riga average around 7°C (45°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
Riga usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rovaniemi. Riga gets 60 mm (2.4 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 OctoberRiga 7°C (45°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Riga or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Riga and Rovaniemi. The museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Riga this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. It's quite cold in Riga in the winter. Riga is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the winter. The daily temperature in Riga averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
In January, Riga usually receives less rain than Rovaniemi. Riga gets 33 mm (1.3 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 JanuaryRiga -5°C (23°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Riga or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Riga as well as Rovaniemi. Many travelers come to Riga for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Riga is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Riga in April average around 5°C (42°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about -1°C (31°F).
Riga usually gets more rain in April than Rovaniemi. Riga gets 39 mm (1.5 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 AprilRiga 5°C (42°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Riga
| Riga | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (24°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -0°C (31°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (42°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 12°C (53°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (60°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (63°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (62°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 12°C (54°F) | 76 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 7°C (45°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (28°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.