A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rovaniemi vs. Debrecen for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Debrecen?

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 Debrecen. 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 Debrecen?

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.

Debrecen

Finding its beginning as a collection of agricultural villages, Debrecen has grown to become the second largest city in Hungary as well as the regional center for the Northern Great Plain region. Highlights include the Reformed Great Church of Debrecen, Hortobagy National Park, Deri Museum, and the Debrecen Zoo and Botanical Garden.

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 in Hungary, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Hungary.


Which place is cheaper, Debrecen or Rovaniemi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Debrecen is €62. 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 Debrecen in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Debrecen 31
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Debrecen 62
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Debrecen

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Debrecen? 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.

Hotels in Rovaniemi


Hotels in Debrecen


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 Debrecen Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Debrecen 10

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 Debrecen

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Debrecen:

  • Debrecen - Budapest Transfer: $168

Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Debrecen?

Prices for flights to both Debrecen 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 day
    Rovaniemi 47
    Debrecen 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

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Debrecen 16

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

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Debrecen 8.66


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Debrecen, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Debrecen much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Debrecen would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Debrecen 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 Debrecen.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Debrecen Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Debrecen?

Debrecen has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Debrecen, 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 Debrecen?

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 Debrecen in the Summer?

Both Debrecen and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.

Rovaniemi is cooler than Debrecen in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Debrecen fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).

It's quite sunny in Debrecen. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Debrecen during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Debrecen receives 282 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Debrecen. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Debrecen receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Debrecen 20°C (68°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Debrecen in the Autumn?

Both Debrecen and Rovaniemi during the autumn are popular places to visit.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Debrecen. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Debrecen averages at about 11°C (52°F).

In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Debrecen. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Debrecen receives 160 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in October than Debrecen. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Debrecen receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Debrecen in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Debrecen.

Debrecen can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Debrecen. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Debrecen fluctuates around -2°C (28°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Debrecen during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Debrecen receives 55 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Debrecen. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Debrecen receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Debrecen -2°C (28°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Debrecen in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Debrecen.

Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Debrecen in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Debrecen fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).

In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Debrecen. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Debrecen receives 191 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Debrecen. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Debrecen receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Debrecen 11°C (52°F)

Typical Weather for Debrecen and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Debrecen
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -2°C (28°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 0°C (32°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 6°C (43°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 11°C (52°F) 50 mm (2 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (61°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 19°C (66°F) 80 mm (3.1 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 20°C (68°F) 70 mm (2.8 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 20°C (68°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 17°C (63°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 11°C (52°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 1°C (34°F) 40 mm (1.6 in)