Which place is cheaper, Alesund or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Alesund?
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 Rovaniemi and Alesund. 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: Rovaniemi or Alesund?
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.
Alesund
Alesund is a port town on the west coast of Norway, at the entrance to the Geirangerfjord. It could be the backdrop for a Nordic fairytale – with a modern plot twist. It's known for the art nouveau architectural style in which most of the town was rebuilt after a fire in 1904, as documented at the Jugendstilsenteret museum. And it's no coincidence that Alesund and the surrounding areas are among the most visited sites for tourists in Norway. Many use The Art Nouveau town as a starting point to explore the renowned UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Geirangerfjord, the bird sanctuary island of Runde, or the spectacular snow-capped summits of the Hjorundfjord and the Sunnmorsalpene. There are panoramic views of Alesund's architecture, the surrounding archipelago and fjords from the Mount Aksla lookout. The town of Alesund has a beautiful setting across several islands stretching out into the Atlantic Ocean and you find unspoilt and beautiful nature the whole year round.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Norway, and The Best Contiki Tours to Norway.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Alesund €93
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Alesund is €93. 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 Rovaniemi and Alesund in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Alesund €49
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Alesund €98
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Alesund
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Alesund? 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: Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Alesund €24
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: $54
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $74
- Airport & City Transfers in Rovaniemi : $76
- Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $77
- Rovaniemi Private City Transfer by Luxury Vehicule : $82
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $85
- Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer: $86
- Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $86
- Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $86
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $87
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Alesund
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Alesund:
- Private Transfer from Alesund Port to Alesund Vigra Airport (AES): $36
- Private Transfer from Alesund City Hotels to Alesund Cruise Port: $36
- Private Transfer To and From Airport in Ålesund: $70
- Aalesund Private Transfer from Aalesund (AES) Airport to City centre: $134
- Tour from Alesund to Trollstigen Land of Trolls with Transfer: $149
- Private Transfer from Alesund Airport (AES) to Geiranger Port: $184
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Alesund?
Prices for flights to both Alesund and Rovaniemi 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 dayRovaniemi €47Alesund €28
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: $115
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $133
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $146
- Private Sauna, Jacuzzi and Dinner: $176
- Northern Lights dinner in a Glass Igloo: $222
- PRIVATE Glass Igloo Dinner Under Northern Lights : $222
- Dinner with Northern Light hunt : $234
- PRIVATE Party dinner in a Glass Igloo Under Northern Lights : $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Alesund €15
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
- From Northern Lights Photo Tour with Pickup: $67
- Rovaniemi photography tour: $70
- Northen Light Hunting Tour: $73
- From Northern Lights Van Tour with Photos: $73
- From Northern Lights Photo Tour with Pickup: $73
- Aurora Hunting Photography Tour with Barbeque: $73
- Aurora Hunting Photography Tour with Hot Drinks: $73
- From Northern Lights Van Tour with Photos: $73
Tours and Activities in Alesund
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Alesund are as follows:
- Ålesund Two Hour Walking City Tour: $42
- 1-Day Hop-on Hop-off Audio-Guided Tour in Alesund : $42
- City Sightseeing Alesund Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $44
- Varden Molde Panorama Hike Tour: $46
- Hellesylt Sightseeing Boat Geirangerfjord: $55
- Molde and Atlantic Ocean Road Audio Tour: $64
- Ålesund Sightseeing and Viking Saga Islands: $101
- 3 Hour Guided Food Walk Tour in Alesund, Norway: $111
- Fjord Paddle in Hellesylt - Half Day Kayaking Tour: $121
- Alesund Shore Excursion: The Ultimate Sightseeing Tour: $125
- E-bike And Hiking Tour In Ålesund: $139
- Sightseeing Tour in Trollstigen - Land of Trolls: $140
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Alesund €11
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Alesund, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Alesund much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Alesund would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Alesund 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 Alesund.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Alesund Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Alesund?
Alesund has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Alesund, 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 Rovaniemi or Alesund?
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 Rovaniemi or Alesund in the Summer?
Both Alesund and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Alesund for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rovaniemi is a little warmer than Alesund. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Alesund averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Alesund. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 86 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Alesund 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Alesund in the Autumn?
Both Alesund and Rovaniemi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Alesund in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In October, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Alesund. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Alesund fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
Alesund gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in October than Alesund. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 188 mm (7.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Alesund 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Alesund in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Alesund. Also, most visitors come to Alesund for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Alesund can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. Rovaniemi is much colder than Alesund in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Alesund fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Alesund receives a lot of rain in the winter. In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Alesund. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 131 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Alesund 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Alesund in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Alesund. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Alesund because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
The weather in Alesund can be very cold. Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Alesund. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Alesund averages at about 5°C (40°F).
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Alesund. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Alesund receives 81 mm (3.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Alesund 5°C (40°F)
Typical Weather for Alesund and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Alesund | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 131 mm (5.2 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 99 mm (3.9 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 108 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 57 mm (2.3 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 112 mm (4.4 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 188 mm (7.4 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (42°F) | 187 mm (7.4 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 167 mm (6.6 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.