Which place is cheaper, Bern or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Bern?
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 Bern. 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 Bern?
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.
Bern
The capital city of Switzerland, Bern, is a surprisingly small city with a population of only about 130,000. It's located on a peninsula that is created by the turns of the River Aare. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it has a wonderfully preserved old town area. There are about four miles worth of quaint walkways that are lined with clock towers and fountains.
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 Family-Friendly Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Bern €234
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Bern is €234. 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 Bern in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Bern €151
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Bern €302
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Bern
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Bern? 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 Bern Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Bern €31
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 Bern
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bern:
- Private Car Departure Transfer from Bern to Bern Airport BRN: $73
- Private Direct Transfer From Bern to Basel: $191
- Private Transfer From Bern To Basel With a 2 Hour Stop in Olten: $213
- Private Transfer From Bern to Zurich, English Speaking Driver: $227
- Private Transfer from Bern to Zurich with 2h of Sightseeing: $300
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Bern?
Prices for flights to both Bern 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 €47Bern €56
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bern
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bern.
- Cooking delicious Spanish paella in Switzerland.: $57
- Bern Food Market: Brunch & Local Food Tour: $62
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Bern €31
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 Bern
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bern are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $4.36
- Bern Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.95
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $7.43
- Escape Game and Tour: $8.56
- Self-Guided Tour of Bern's Fountains, Clocktowers, and Legends: $9.99
- Beautiful Bern's Old Town: Self Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- City Sightseeing Self-Guided Walking Tour Game: $15
- Bern Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Thun Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Fribourg Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Bern €25
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Bern, we can see that Bern 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 Bern would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bern 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 Bern Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Bern?
Bern has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Bern, 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 Bern?
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 Bern in the Summer?
Both Bern and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Bern for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rovaniemi is cooler than Bern. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Bern averages at about 21°C (70°F).
It's quite sunny in Bern. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Bern during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Bern. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bern receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Bern 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Bern in the Autumn?
Both Bern and Rovaniemi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Bern in the autumn for 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 Bern. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Bern fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Bern. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 126 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in October than Bern. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bern receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Bern 13°C (55°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Bern in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Bern. Also, most visitors come to Bern for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Bern can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. Rovaniemi is much colder than Bern in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Bern fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Bern during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Bern receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Bern. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bern receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Bern 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Bern in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Bern. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bern because of the natural beauty.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Bern. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Bern averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Bern. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bern receives 164 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Bern. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bern receives 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Bern 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Bern and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Bern | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (40°F) | 51 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.