Which place is cheaper, Basel or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Basel?
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 Basel. 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 Basel?
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.
Basel
Basel is often overlooked as a tourist destination in Switzerland, but despite this, it does have a lot to offer visitors as well as a beautiful medieval historic center. Every year it also hosts a Carnival festival that is one of the most popular in Europe, competing with those in Venice and Rio de Janeiro in its popularity. There are also some excellent museums and great examples of regional architecture around town. Basel also serves as an excellent entry point to the Swiss Jura mountains and a jumping off point to visit more popular cities such as Zurich or Lucerne.
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 2-Week Tours in Switzerland, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Basel €221
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Basel is €221. 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 Basel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Basel €134
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Basel €268
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Basel
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Basel? 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 and Basel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Basel €43
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
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Basel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Basel:
- Round Trip Private Transfer From Basel EuroAirport to Feldberg: $87
- ONE WAY: Basel Train Station (ZDH) to / from Basel transfer: $88
- Basel Airport Transfer: Basel to EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) in Business Car: $108
- Arrival Private Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Van: $119
- Basel Airport Transfer: EuroAirport (BSL MLH EAP) to Basel in Luxury Car: $157
- Private direct transfer from Basel to Lucerne with a local driver: $177
- Private One-way Transfer From Basel to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $186
- Private Direct Transfer from Basel to Zurich: $205
- Private Transfer From Basel To Bern With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $224
- Private transfer from Basel to Strasbourg with a local driver: $233
- Private Transfer from Basel to Zurich with 3h Sightseeing Stops: $251
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Basel?
Prices for flights to both Basel 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 €47Basel €57
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.Rovaniemi €48Basel €35
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
Tours and Activities in Basel
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Basel are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Basel Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $5.35
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $5.47
- Basel's Portrait Self Guided Audio City Tour: $5.60
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Hidden Treasures Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $8.99
- The Best of Basel’s Hidden Treasures: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
- Uncover Basel's Charms: In-App Audio Tour of Cultural Gems: $11
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Basel's Portrait: Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
- Old Town Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Basel (Kleinbasel) Scavenger Hunt and Self-Guided Tour: $15
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Basel €31
Sample the Local Flavors in Basel
Also in Basel, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Pub Crawl Meet People and Hidden Bars and Clubs: $33
- Pinot Noir & Pinot Wine Tour to Baden-Württemberg: $279
- Fantastic, full day, private wine tour to Alsace!: $285
- Half Day Private Cheese & Wine Tasting in Vineyard in Basel: $289
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Basel, we can see that Basel is more expensive. And not only is Rovaniemi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rovaniemi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rovaniemi 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 Basel would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Basel than you might in Rovaniemi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Basel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Basel?
Basel has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Basel, 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 Basel?
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 Basel in the Summer?
Both Basel and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Basel for the family-friendly experiences during these months.
In July, Rovaniemi is generally cooler than Basel. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Basel fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Basel. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Basel during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 241 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Basel. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Basel receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Basel 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Basel in the Autumn?
Both Basel and Rovaniemi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Basel because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during autumn. Rovaniemi is much colder than Basel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Basel fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Basel. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 120 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in October than Basel. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Basel receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Basel 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Basel in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Basel. Furthermore, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Basel this time of year.
It's quite cold in Basel in the winter. The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In the winter, Rovaniemi is much colder than Basel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rovaniemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Basel averages at about 3°C (37°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Basel during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Basel receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Basel. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Basel receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Basel 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Basel in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Basel. Additionally, many travelers come to Basel for the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the spring. In April, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Basel. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Basel fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Basel. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Basel receives 150 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Basel. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Basel receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Basel 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Basel and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Basel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.