Which place is cheaper, Grindelwald or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Grindelwald?
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 Grindelwald. 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 Grindelwald?
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.
Grindelwald
Grindelwald, Switzerland is a glacier village located in the picturesque Jungfrau Region of the Swiss Alps. The Jungfrau Region encompasses many small villages and was chosen as the first Alpine UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001. This Alpine paradise has been a popular destination since the 17th century, due to its natural beauty and fantastic hiking and skiing trails.
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 Switzerland, and The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Grindelwald €226
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Grindelwald is €226. 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 Grindelwald in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Grindelwald €133
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Grindelwald €266
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Grindelwald
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Grindelwald? 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 Grindelwald Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Grindelwald €50
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 Grindelwald
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Grindelwald:
- Grindelwald/Wengen to Zurich Airport (ZRH) - Departure Transfer: $87
- Grindelwald/Wengen to Geneva Airport (GVA) - Departure Transfer: $180
- Grindelwald/Wengen to Malpensa Airport (MXP) - Departure Transfer: $201
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Grindelwald?
Prices for flights to both Grindelwald 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 €47Grindelwald €54
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
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Grindelwald €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 Grindelwald
Here are a few actual costs in Grindelwald for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Glacier Canyon Entrance Ticket: $21
- Indoor Ropes Park Entry Ticket: $40
- Grindelwald First: Cable Car Ticket with Cliff Walk: $134
- Grindelwald First (Top of Adventure) Ticket incl. Cliff Walk: $142
- From Jungfraujoch Round-Trip Railway Ticket: $231
- Switzerland: Private Skiing Day Tour for any level: $447
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Grindelwald €31
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Grindelwald, we can see that Grindelwald is more expensive. And not only is Rovaniemi much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Rovaniemi would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rovaniemi 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 Grindelwald would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Grindelwald than you might in Rovaniemi.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Grindelwald Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Grindelwald?
Rovaniemi has a larger population, and is about 9 times larger than the population of Grindelwald. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Grindelwald, 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 Grindelwald?
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 Grindelwald in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Grindelwald. Also, many visitors come to Grindelwald in the summer for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Rovaniemi is cooler than Grindelwald in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Grindelwald fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Grindelwald this time of the year. In Rovaniemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Grindelwald during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 250 hours of full sun in the summer.
Grindelwald receives a lot of rain in the summer. In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 133 mm (5.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Grindelwald 23°C (73°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Grindelwald in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Grindelwald. Also, most visitors come to Grindelwald for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Grindelwald. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Grindelwald averages at about 15°C (58°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Grindelwald. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 152 hours of full sun.
It's quite rainy in Grindelwald. Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in October than Grindelwald. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 140 mm (5.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Grindelwald 15°C (58°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Grindelwald in the Winter?
Both Grindelwald and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Grindelwald because of the skiing, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
The weather in Grindelwald can be very cold. Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Grindelwald. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Grindelwald fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Grindelwald during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Grindelwald receives 119 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Grindelwald. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 76 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Grindelwald 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Grindelwald in the Spring?
Both Grindelwald and Rovaniemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the small town charm and the natural beauty are the main draw to Grindelwald this time of year.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Rovaniemi is much colder than Grindelwald in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Grindelwald fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Grindelwald. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Grindelwald receives 176 hours of full sun.
Grindelwald gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Grindelwald. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Grindelwald receives 152 mm (6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Grindelwald 13°C (55°F)
Typical Weather for Grindelwald and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Grindelwald | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 10°C (49°F) | 106 mm (4.2 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 152 mm (6 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 194 mm (7.6 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 20°C (69°F) | 171 mm (6.7 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 133 mm (5.2 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 22°C (72°F) | 166 mm (6.5 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 153 mm (6 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 140 mm (5.5 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 63 mm (2.5 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.