Which place is cheaper, Heidelberg or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Heidelberg?
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 Heidelberg. 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 Heidelberg?
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.
Heidelberg
Heidelberg, in the state of Baden-Wurttemberg, is a top travel destination in Germany. It's picturesquely situated in the Neckar River Valley and is a wonderful place to spend a few days. The city has a population of over 148,000 and it's home to Germany's oldest university, the Ruprecht-Karls-Universitat, which has a student population of approximately 28,000.
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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Germany, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Heidelberg €142
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Heidelberg is €142. 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 Heidelberg in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Heidelberg €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Heidelberg €186
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Heidelberg
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Heidelberg? 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 Heidelberg Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Heidelberg €17
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,925
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $866
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $769
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $578
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $385
- VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $163
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $115
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kirkenes: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Heidelberg
Also for Heidelberg, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to Baden-Baden - Arrival Private Transfer: $23
- Karlsruhe Airport (FKB) to BadenBaden Round-Trip Private Transfer: $46
- Private Transfer from Badenweiler Thermal to Basel EuroAirport: $63
- Private Transfer from Heidelberg City to Mannheim City by Van: $64
- Airport transfer from Karlsruhe Airport to Baden-Baden: $105
- Privat Transfer From Basel EuroAirport BSL To Badenweiler : $126
- One Way Private Transfer from Mannheim to Frankfurt : $251
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Heidelberg?
Prices for flights to both Heidelberg 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 €47Heidelberg €37
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 Heidelberg
For Heidelberg, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Heidelberg crime dinner to solve the mystery with a delicious 3-course menu: $64
- Craft Beer and Street Food Tour: $598
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Heidelberg €11
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Ice Waterfall Tour in Korouoma: $147
- 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Experience : $104
- 2h Winter Bike Tour - Riversides of Rovaniemi: $104
- 5-Hour Tour to Ranua Zoo: $120
- 5km Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $240
- ATV Quad Bike Experience : $130
- All Day Canoe Adventure to Rovaniemi: $207
- All in One Santa Claus Village with Dog Sledding Adventure: $271
- Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $191
- Arctic Polar Bear Adventure with Lunch in Rovaniemi!: $141
- Arctic Reindeer Farm & Husky Safari + Aurora BBQ Tour!: $217
- Aurora Dreamscape Tour in Lapland: $125
Tours and Activities in Heidelberg
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Heidelberg.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.20
- Heidelberg's Altstadt: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
- Pure experience: Original Black Forest farmer smoke tour: $6.54
- Heidelberg Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.95
- Heidelberg Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt & City Tour: $6.95
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $8.02
- Complete Self-guided Audio Tour on your Phone: $8.54
- Uncover A Self-Guided Audio Tour Through Time: $11
- Walking Tour with Audio Guide on App: $11
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Heidelberg €17
Sample the Local Flavors in Heidelberg
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Heidelberg:
- Highlights of the romantic Black Forest & brewery, private tour: $295
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Heidelberg, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Heidelberg much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Heidelberg would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Heidelberg 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 Heidelberg.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Heidelberg Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Heidelberg?
Heidelberg has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Heidelberg, 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 Heidelberg?
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 Heidelberg in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Heidelberg. Additionally, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Heidelberg this time of year.
Rovaniemi is cooler than Heidelberg in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 21°C (69°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Heidelberg. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Heidelberg. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 224 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Heidelberg. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Heidelberg 21°C (69°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Heidelberg in the Autumn?
Both Heidelberg and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Heidelberg for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the autumn. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Heidelberg. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Heidelberg averages at about 12°C (54°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Heidelberg during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 102 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Heidelberg. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Heidelberg 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Heidelberg in the Winter?
Both Heidelberg and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many visitors come to Heidelberg in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Heidelberg can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Heidelberg. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Heidelberg fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Heidelberg. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Heidelberg receives 38 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in January than Heidelberg. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 52 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Heidelberg 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Heidelberg in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Heidelberg. Also, most visitors come to Heidelberg for the natural beauty during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Heidelberg in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Heidelberg fluctuates around 11°C (52°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Heidelberg during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Heidelberg receives 155 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Heidelberg. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Heidelberg receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Heidelberg 11°C (52°F)
Typical Weather for Heidelberg and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Heidelberg | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (38°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.