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

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Gothenburg?

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 Gothenburg. 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 Gothenburg?

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.

Gothenburg

Gothenburg is the second largest city in Sweden with a population of about 500,000. It is located on the western coast at the edge of the Gota River. It's a very friendly and welcoming city with a great vibe. Part of its energy comes from the Gothenburg University, which, with over 60,000 students, is the largest university in the country. Historically, Gothenburg has working class roots which are still apparent today, particularly in the city's harbour area. Recently there has been a growing number of expensive restaurants and cafes, showing that the demographic continues to evolve.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Sweden, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Sweden.


Which place is cheaper, Gothenburg 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 Gothenburg is €92. 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 Gothenburg in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Gothenburg 38
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Gothenburg 76
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Gothenburg

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Gothenburg? 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 Gothenburg


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 Gothenburg Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Gothenburg 17

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:

  • Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,955
  • Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $652
  • Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $868
  • Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $977
  • Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $98
  • Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $98
  • Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $87
  • Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer: $87
  • Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $76
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $109
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $109
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $109

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Gothenburg

Also for Gothenburg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Arrival: $15
  • Landvetter Airport Bus Transfer Departure: $15
  • Transfer From Gothenburg Hotel To Gothenburg Museum of Art: $33
  • Goteborg City to Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) - Departure Private Transfer: $55
  • Private Transfer from Goteborg Cruise Port to Gothenburg City: $65
  • Private Transfer From Gothenburg Landvetter Airport to Gothenburg Hotels: $95
  • Gothenburg Private Transfer from Central Gothenburg to Gothenburg Airport: $96
  • Private Transfer Gothenburg Airport GOT to Gothenburg by Sedan: $103
  • Goteborg Landvetter Airport (GOT) to Goteborg City - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $110
  • City Highlights Bike Tour with Transfer: $114
  • Are Resort to Trondheim Vaernes Airport(TRD) - Departure Transfer: $116
  • Departure Private Transfers from Gothenburg City to Gothenburg Airport GOT: $121

Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Gothenburg?

Prices for flights to both Gothenburg 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
    Gothenburg 36

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rovaniemi

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rovaniemi.

  • Lappish Cooking Master Class: $136
  • Snow Hotel Tour and Ice Restaurant Dinner: $151
  • From SnowHotel Aurora Experience with Dinner: $151
  • Traditional Lappish evening in the wilderness with dinner: $171
  • Best Of Lapland: Sauna, Ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights : $171
  • Arctic Snowcastle with Dinner in Ice Restaurant: $178
  • Lappish Evening Experience with Dinner: $179
  • Private Sauna, Jacuzzi and Dinner: $179
  • Snow Sauna Experience with Dinner: $205
  • Ice Restaurant Dinner with Snow Sauna & Transfer: $216
  • Northern Lights dinner in a Glass Igloo: $226
  • PRIVATE Glass Igloo Dinner Under Northern Lights : $226

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Gothenburg 15

Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:

  • Ice Waterfall Tour in Korouoma: $149
  • 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Adventure in Rovaniemi: $108
  • 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Experience : $98
  • 2-Hour Ice Fishing Experience in Rovaniemi, Finland: $99
  • 2h Winter Bike Tour - Riversides of Rovaniemi: $105
  • 3-Hour ATV Experience in Rovaniemi: $131
  • 3-Hours Small-Group Ski Trekking by Night Experience: $127
  • 5km Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $242
  • All in One Santa Claus Village with Dog Sledding Adventure: $274
  • Apukka Husky Adventure in Rovaniemi: $186
  • Arctic Adventure through Magical Frozen Forests of Riisitunturi: $263
  • Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $193

Tours and Activities in Gothenburg

For Gothenburg, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:

  • Universeum Entry Ticket: $21
  • Land & Water Amphibious Bus Sightseeing Tour: $30
  • Gothenburg 24-Hour Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Ticket: $31
  • Hop-On Hop-Off 24-Hour Sightseeing Boat: $31
  • City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $31
  • Lilla Bommen: 4-Hour Guided Boat Tour to Vinga Island: $32
  • City Sightseeing Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $32
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off BusTour: $33
  • 24h Gothenburg Hop-On Hop-Off Boat Tour: $33
  • Paddan Sightseeing Cruise on the Savean River: $34
  • Guided boat tour to Vinga in Gothenburg: $35
  • Archipelago cruise with guide: $37

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Gothenburg 19


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

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


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Gothenburg?

Gothenburg has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg?

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 Gothenburg in the Summer?

Both Gothenburg and Rovaniemi during the summer are popular places to visit.

Rovaniemi is around the same temperature as Gothenburg in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

In Gothenburg, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rovaniemi. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Gothenburg. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 243 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Gothenburg. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 68 mm (2.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Gothenburg 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Gothenburg in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Gothenburg.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Gothenburg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Gothenburg averages at about 9°C (47°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Gothenburg during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 94 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 84 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Gothenburg 9°C (47°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Gothenburg in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Gothenburg.

Gothenburg can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Gothenburg. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Gothenburg fluctuates around -2°C (29°F).

In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Gothenburg. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Gothenburg receives 40 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in January than Gothenburg. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Gothenburg -2°C (29°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Gothenburg in the Spring?

Both Gothenburg and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities.

Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Gothenburg in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Gothenburg fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Gothenburg during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Gothenburg receives 182 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Gothenburg. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Gothenburg receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Gothenburg 5°C (41°F)

Typical Weather for Gothenburg and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Gothenburg
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -2°C (29°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) -2°C (29°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 1°C (34°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 5°C (41°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 11°C (51°F) 51 mm (2 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 15°C (59°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 16°C (61°F) 68 mm (2.7 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (60°F) 77 mm (3 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 81 mm (3.2 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (47°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (38°F) 84 mm (3.3 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 0°C (32°F) 75 mm (3 in)