Which place is cheaper, Budapest or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Budapest?
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 Budapest. 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 Budapest?
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.
Budapest
Budapest is the capital city of Hungary. It has been called the "Paris of the East" because of its impressive architecture and general beauty. It was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987 because of its cultural importance, its location on the Banks of the Danube, the Buda Castle Quarter and Andrassy Avenue. In addition to its rich history, Budapest still has a young vibe with a lot of energy. There's an active night life, an impressive music scene, and a good reputation with European youth.
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 10-Day Tours from Budapest, and The Best 2-Week Tours from Budapest.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Budapest €84
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Budapest is €84. 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 Budapest in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Budapest €46
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Budapest €92
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Budapest
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Budapest? 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 Budapest Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Budapest €9.80
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,925
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $866
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $769
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $578
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $385
- VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $163
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $115
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kirkenes: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Budapest
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Budapest:
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Short Taxi Ride€6.47
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Metro Pass€3.55
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Budapest
Also for Budapest, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Shared Airport Shuttle Bus Transfer: $13
- Budapest Airport Private Departure Transfer : City to Airport: $16
- Budapest Private Arrival Transfer: Railway station to hotels: $16
- Premier Outlet Shopping Transfer from City Center: $16
- Private One-Way Budapest Int Airport Transfer To/From Budapest: $24
- Ferenc Liszt Intl Airport to Budapest - Arrival Private Transfer : $25
- Budapest Airport Transfers: $26
- Budapest Private transfer Airport or Hotel to or from Cruise Port: $26
- Private Airport Transfer Budapest: $27
- Budapest City - Budapest Airport Transfer: $31
- Private Transfer Budapest Airport BUD to Budapest by car or van: $34
- Hotel to Liszt Ferenc Airport departure Transfer: $37
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Budapest?
Prices for flights to both Budapest 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 €47Budapest €22
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
Typical Food Prices in Budapest
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Budapest:
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Lunch€3.16
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Traveling Spoon Hungarian Goulash Private Online Cooking Class: $40
- Downtown Budapest Cruise with Pizza and Beer: $45
- Pizza & Beer Downtown Budapest Cruise: $46
- Vegan Hungarian Food Tour (full meals): $51
- Medieval Dinner Show with Drinks: $52
- Private Street Food Tour: $59
- Danube Cruise with Hungarian Dinner and Live Music: $74
- Budapest Danube Cruise with Buffet Dinner, Performances and Music: $75
- Evening Cruise and Dinner with Champagne: $86
- Lángos (Hungary’s nr1 streetfood) cooking class: $87
- Candlelit Dinner River Cruise with Live Music: $91
- Budapest Danube River Candlelit Dinner Cruise with Live Music: $93
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Budapest €20
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Ice Waterfall Tour in Korouoma: $147
- 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Experience : $104
- 2h Winter Bike Tour - Riversides of Rovaniemi: $104
- 5-Hour Tour to Ranua Zoo: $120
- 5km Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $240
- ATV Quad Bike Experience : $130
- All Day Canoe Adventure to Rovaniemi: $207
- All in One Santa Claus Village with Dog Sledding Adventure: $271
- Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $191
- Arctic Polar Bear Adventure with Lunch in Rovaniemi!: $141
- Arctic Reindeer Farm & Husky Safari + Aurora BBQ Tour!: $217
- Aurora Dreamscape Tour in Lapland: $125
Typical Entertainment Prices in Budapest
For Budapest, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Entrance to the Baths for Two€6.35
Tours and Activities in Budapest
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Budapest.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Free Tour Budapest Essential in Spanish: $3.26
- Budapest Historical Sightseeing - Walking Tour: $3.27
- Free walking tour in the Buda Castle incl. Fisherman's Bastion: $3.27
- Free Walking Tour Budapest incl. the Shoes on the Danube Bank: $3.27
- Communist History Evening Walking Tour of Budapest: $3.27
- Past and Present of Budapest Jewish District Tour: $3.27
- Self Guided City Audio Tour in Buda Castle: $5.45
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.88
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $5.88
- Historical Heroes & Hot Spa Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- TOP 10 Budapest- City Tour : $6.00
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Budapest €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Budapest
Also in Budapest, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- The Original Budapest Pub Crawl - One Hour Open Bar + Free Shots: $17
- 5-Hour Pub Crawl through Ruin Bars: $21
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Ultimate Budapest Pub Crawl: $23
- Bingo Bar Crawl: $25
- Budapest Original Ruin Pub Crawl Including 5 Shots: $28
- Ruin Bar Pub Crawl with Entry Tickets: $29
- Detective Pub Crawl Game by App: $38
- 8-Tier Hungarian Wine Tasting in a Cozy Downtown Wine Bar: $38
- Tipsy Tour Fun Bar Crawl with a Local Guide: $42
- Drunken History Bar Crawl Tour with Local Drinks: $42
- Hungarian Wine Tasting (with Cheese and Charcuterie) in Budapest: $50
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Budapest, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Budapest much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Budapest would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Budapest 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 Budapest.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Budapest Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Budapest?
Budapest has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Budapest, 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 Budapest?
Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Budapest in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Budapest. Also, many visitors come to Budapest in the summer for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Rovaniemi is generally cooler than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Budapest. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Budapest. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 278 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in July than Budapest. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Budapest 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Budapest in the Autumn?
Both Budapest and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Budapest for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. Rovaniemi is much colder than Budapest in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Budapest during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 152 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Budapest. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Budapest in the Winter?
Both Budapest and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the winter months attract visitors to Budapest because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Budapest can be very cold. Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. In the winter, Rovaniemi is much colder than Budapest. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rovaniemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Budapest averages at about -1°C (31°F).
In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Budapest. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Budapest receives 61 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Budapest. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Budapest -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Budapest in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Budapest. Furthermore, the activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Budapest this time of year.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In April, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Budapest. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Budapest fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Budapest during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Budapest receives 178 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Budapest. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Budapest receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Budapest 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Budapest and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Budapest | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (67°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 48 mm (1.9 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.