Which place is cheaper, Cologne or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Jump to 
Should you visit Rovaniemi or Cologne?
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 Cologne. 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 Cologne?
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.
Cologne
Spanning the Rhine River in western Germany, the city of Cologne dates back 2,000 years, once existing as the largest city of the Holy Roman Empire in medieval times. Today, it is the region's cultural hub - a center of museums, galleries, and towering Gothic cathedrals.
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 Luxury Tours to Germany, and The Best Budget Tours to Germany.
-
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Cologne €161
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Cologne is €161. 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 Cologne in more detail.
Accommodation
-
Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Cologne €91
-
Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Cologne €182
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Cologne
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Cologne? 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 Cologne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
-
Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Cologne €19
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $115
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $86
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $385
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $56
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $55
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kirkenes: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Cologne
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Cologne:
- Cologne hotels to Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) - Departure Private Transfer: $49
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $55
- Superior Private Transfer from Cologne City to Dortmund City: $64
- Transfer from Cologne Airport CGN to Cologne City by Luxury Car: $83
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Cologne hotels - Round-trip Private Transfer : $98
- Cologne Bonn Airport (CGN) to Bonn hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $109
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Cologne?
Prices for flights to both Cologne 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
-
Food Meals for one dayRovaniemi €47Cologne €50
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 Cologne
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Cologne:
-
Dinner€14
-
Donner Kebab€4.00
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Cologne
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Cologne.
- Hard Rock Café with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Hard Rock Cafe Cologne With Set Lunch or Dinner: $29
- Köln Südstadt kulinarisch – Die Food Tour: $48
- 3-Hour Südstadt Food Tour: $481
Entertainment
-
Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Cologne €20
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 Cologne
Here are a few actual costs in Cologne for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Cologne Walking Tour: The essential and unmissable one: $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Original funky-fun Free Tour of Cologne: $3.21
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Smartphone Scavenger Hunt Sightseeing Tour: $5.88
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.55
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.95
- Horrors of World War II Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.48
- Cologne Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
- Aachen Scavenger Hunt and Self Guided Walking Tour on your Phone: $7.63
Alcohol
-
Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Cologne €23
Sample the Local Flavors in Cologne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Cologne:
- Old Town Walking Tour with Brewery and Kölsch Beer: $18
- Public brewery tour in Cologne in English: $18
- Public brewery tour in German in Cologne: $18
- Guided tour of the old town with a visit to the brewery in Cologne: $19
- Old Town Walking Tour inkl Brewery Visit: $24
- Entertaining Brewery Tour: Feel Good Package including local beer: $27
- South Cologne Walking Tour with brewery visit: $27
- Pub Crawl Cologne Including Admission Fee for Bars and Shots: $27
- Brewery Tour with 3 Kölsch Beer Tastings: $29
- Brewery Tour with Beer Tasting and Halven Hahn: $31
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $32
- The Legendary Kölsch Brewery Tour: $33
When comparing the travel costs between Rovaniemi and Cologne, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Cologne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Cologne?
Cologne has a larger population, and is about 30 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Cologne, 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 Cologne?
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 Cologne in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Cologne. Also, many travelers come to Cologne for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Rovaniemi is cooler than Cologne in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Cologne fluctuates around 19°C (66°F).
In Rovaniemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Cologne during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 184 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Cologne. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
-
Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Cologne 19°C (66°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Cologne in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Cologne. Also, many visitors come to Cologne 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 the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Cologne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Cologne averages at about 12°C (54°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Cologne. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 104 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in October than Cologne. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Cologne 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Cologne in the Winter?
Both Cologne and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Cologne for the museums, the Christmas ambience, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Cologne can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Cologne. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Cologne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Cologne during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Cologne receives 43 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Cologne. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
-
Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Cologne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Cologne in the Spring?
Both Cologne and Rovaniemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Cologne because of the activities around the city and the natural beauty.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Cologne in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Cologne fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Cologne. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Cologne receives 152 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Cologne. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Cologne receives 55 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.
-
Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Cologne 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Cologne and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Cologne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 14°C (58°F) | 68 mm (2.7 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 62 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 71 mm (2.8 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.