Which place is cheaper, Flam or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Flam?
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 Flam. 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 Flam?
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.
Flam
Flam is a village in Norway. The fjord village of Flam is located on the scenic inner Aurlandsfjord branch of the world's deepest and second-longest fjord, Sognefjord. Flam is surrounded by steep mountains, thundering waterfalls and narrow valleys, and during the spring and summer months you will see large cruise ships gliding in through the narrow fjord with their course set for Flam Harbor. The main attraction here is the stunning mountain railway that creeps up into the surrounding peaks and offers truly eye-popping panoramas. Unfortunately, it's far from a well-kept secret, and on the busiest summer days the tiny village can find itself swamped by several thousand visitors – it's probably best left for the quieter seasons of spring and autumn. The popular 'Norway in a Nutshell' tour also stops here.
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 Adventure Tours to Norway, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Norway.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Flam €104
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Flam is €104. 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 Flam in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Flam €54
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Flam €108
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Flam
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Flam? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Flam €16
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,918
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $863
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $766
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $576
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $384
- VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $163
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $114
- Private Transfer Kiruna - Tromso: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kirkenes: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Flam?
Prices for flights to both Flam 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 €47Flam €33
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: $115
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $133
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $147
- From SnowHotel Aurora Experience with Dinner: $148
- Best Of Lapland: Sauna, Ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights : $168
- Private Sauna, Jacuzzi and Dinner: $176
- 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 : $239
- PRIVATE Glass Igloo Dinner Under Northern Lights : $239
- Private Glass Igloo Dinner on the Shore of Frozen Lake: $244
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Flam €16
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Adventure in Rovaniemi: $106
- 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Experience : $97
- 5-Hour Tour to Ranua Zoo: $119
- All Day Canoe Adventure to Rovaniemi: $206
- Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $190
- Arctic Polar Bear Adventure with Lunch in Rovaniemi!: $140
- Arctic Reindeer Farm & Husky Safari + Aurora BBQ Tour!: $216
- Aurora Hunting Guarantee Tour with Photography: $270
- Aurora Hunting Photo Tour from Rovaniemi with Pickup: $110
- Aurora Hunting Pro Tour: $205
- Aurora Hunting Pro Tour With Photography: $212
- Aurora Magic Cabin Overnight Experience: $959
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Flam €3.44
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Flam, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Flam much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Flam would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Flam 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 Flam.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Flam Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Flam?
Rovaniemi has a larger population, and is about 70 times larger than the population of Flam. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Flam, 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 Flam?
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 Flam in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Flam. Additionally, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Flam this time of year.
In the summer, Rovaniemi is around the same temperature as Flam. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Flam averages at about 15°C (58°F).
It's quite rainy in Flam. Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Flam. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Flam receives 148 mm (5.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Flam 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Flam in the Autumn?
Both Flam and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Flam for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the autumn. In October, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Flam. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Flam fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).
It rains a lot this time of the year in Flam. In October, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Flam. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Flam receives 271 mm (10.7 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Flam 9°C (48°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Flam in the Winter?
Both Flam and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Flam in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Flam can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is much colder than Flam in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Flam fluctuates around 2°C (35°F).
Flam gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in January than Flam. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Flam receives 190 mm (7.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Flam 2°C (35°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Flam in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Flam. Also, most visitors come to Flam for the small town charm and the natural beauty during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the spring. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Flam. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Flam averages at about 6°C (43°F).
Flam receives a lot of rain in the spring. In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Flam. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Flam receives 114 mm (4.5 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Flam 6°C (43°F)
Typical Weather for Flam and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Flam | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 4°C (38°F) | 170 mm (6.7 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 132 mm (5.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 148 mm (5.8 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 190 mm (7.5 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 283 mm (11.1 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 9°C (48°F) | 271 mm (10.7 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 259 mm (10.2 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 235 mm (9.3 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.