Which place is cheaper, Dresden or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Dresden?
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 Dresden. 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 Dresden?
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.
Dresden
As towering baroque architecture and verdant woodlands surround your vision, this cityscape works almost as a time capsule of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, untouched by the burdens of modernity. With a melange of cultures and histories, Dresden, Germany stands before you. The capital of the eastern German state of Saxony, Dresden is globally known for its celebrated art museums and classic architecture of its reconstructed Old Town. From the baroque church Frauenkirche to the Versailles-inspired Zwinger palace, the aesthetic value of this Germany city is simply immeasurable. Located on the gorgeous Elbe River, Dresden receives about ten million tourists a year, most of them from Germany. Nevertheless, despite the traditional German culture its most historic buildings exude, Dresden is still touched by the present-day generation with its abundance of restaurants, clubs, shops, and theaters. Whether you wish to gaze at the Raphael's "Sistine Madonna" or simply go for a quick shopping run, Dresden obliges its guests most satisfactorily.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Dresden €135
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Dresden is €135. 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 Dresden in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Dresden €61
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Dresden €122
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Dresden
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Dresden? 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 Dresden Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Dresden €11
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 Dresden
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Dresden:
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - Business Van: $77
- Private Transfer from Dresden City to Leipzig City: $83
- Airport transfer from/to DRESDEN (DRS) - First Class: $136
- One-Way Transfer from Dresden Airport (DRS) to Dresden: $146
- Private Transfer from Dresden to Prague with 2 hours for sightseeing: $158
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Dresden?
Prices for flights to both Dresden 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 €47Dresden €31
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 Dresden
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Dresden.
- Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $51
- Winterlights Evening River Cruise with Dinner: $59
- Dinner-Show "INDUSTRIELLE REVOLUTION": $117
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Dresden €9.56
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 Dresden
Here are a few actual costs in Dresden for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Secrets of Old The Lost Treasure Adventure: $4.27
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $4.28
- River Elbe Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Old Town Highlights Scavenger Hunt and Walking Tour: $6.42
- Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $7.99
- Dresden‘s Rise from Ruin: A Self-Guided Audio Tour : $7.99
- Old Town Highlights Self-guided Tour: $8.45
- Tour of VW's Transparent Factory: $9.62
- The Green Factory Tour VW Transparent Factory: $9.62
- Special Tour for Children & Families VW Factory: $9.62
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Dresden €16
Sample the Local Flavors in Dresden
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Dresden:
- Dresden Bike Tour with Wine Tasting: $53
- Radeberger Brewery Tour in German: $57
- Private Pub Crawl Tour: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Dresden, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Dresden much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Dresden would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Dresden 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 Dresden.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Dresden Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Dresden?
Dresden has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Dresden, 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 Dresden?
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 Dresden in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Dresden. Furthermore, many travelers come to Dresden for the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.
Rovaniemi is cooler than Dresden in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Dresden fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Dresden. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Dresden 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Dresden in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Dresden. Additionally, many visitors come to Dresden in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Dresden. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Dresden averages at about 11°C (51°F).
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in October than Dresden. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Dresden 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Dresden in the Winter?
Both Dresden and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Dresden for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Dresden can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Dresden. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Dresden fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Dresden. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Dresden 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Dresden in the Spring?
Both Dresden and Rovaniemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Dresden because of the activities around the city.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Dresden in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Dresden fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Dresden. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Dresden receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Dresden 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Dresden and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Dresden | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.