Which place is cheaper, Helsinki or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Helsinki?
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 Helsinki. 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 Helsinki?
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.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital of Finland and dates back to 1550. Helsinki is an international metropolis with a diverse population, but also a small town vibe. The city itself has a population of just over 600,000 but the metropolitan area, including Espoo and Vantaa, has a population of more than 1.3 million. There are many outdoor bars and cafes that take advantage of the warmer summer months. During this time there are long days, and the population floods into the street after a long and cold winter, so visiting during the summer is a fun and lively experience.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Helsinki, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki.
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Rovaniemi Prices
Finland PricesHelsinki Prices
Finland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €208Helsinki €164
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €208, while the average daily cost in Helsinki is €164. 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 Helsinki in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Helsinki €73
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Helsinki €146
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Helsinki
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Helsinki? 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 Helsinki Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Helsinki €22
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $256
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre to Rovaniemi airport: $95
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $95
- Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer: $106
- Ranua Arctic Zoo Transfer in Lapland: $79
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport RVN to Rovaniemi: $77
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $117
- Private Transfer Between Rovaniemi Airport and City Centre: $102
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $71
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $71
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Helsinki
Also for Helsinki, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Helsinki Hotels to West Harbour Cruise Terminal - Deparure Private Transfer: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Hotels to Helsinki Cruise Terminal: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Cruise Terminal to Helsinki hotels: $70
- Private Transfer from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki Port : $70
- Helsinki West Harbour Terminal to Helsinki hotels - Arrival Private Transfer: $70
- Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Helsinki - Arrival Private Transfer : $70
- Minivan Departure Transfer Helsinki City to Helsinki Airport HEL: $79
- Private VIP Transfer in Helsinki: $82
- Private VIP Transfer from or to Helsinki Airport: $84
- Helsinki Private Airport & City Transfer: $90
- Private Transfer: Helsinki City to Cruise Port by Luxury Van: $102
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Helsinki?
Prices for flights to both Helsinki 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 €82Helsinki €59
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rovaniemi
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Rovaniemi.
- Traditional Northern Light Dinner in the Lappish Hut: $105
- Insider Guided Food Tour With 5 Tastings: $142
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $161
- Traditional Lappish evening in the wilderness with dinner: $184
- Dinner with Northern Light hunt in Rovaniemi : $226
- Sauna, Jacuzzi, and 3 Course Dinner at Kota Restaurant Autumn: $231
- Ice Sculpting and Dinner at Kota Restaurant : $246
- Lapland Cooking Workshop: $262
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- FOOD Tour with Roof Top Bar in Helsinki: $119
- Helsinki Food Tour: A Culinary Experience with a Local: $275
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Helsinki €27
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Arctic Polar Bear Adventure Afternoon Trip: $130
- 3Km Husky Tour & Kennel Visit: Running with the Pack in Autumn : $156
- 5km Husky Passenger Sled Ride Experience: $238
- 7km Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $262
- ATV and Ice Fishing Experience in Rovaniemi: $261
- Adventurer's Snowmobile Tour 4h: $213
- Apukka Husky Adventure in Rovaniemi: $249
- Arctic Adventure through Magical Frozen Forests of Riisitunturi: $226
- Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $213
- Arctic Circle A Full Day Tour: $213
- Arctic Ice Floating Experience in Rovaniemi: $155
- Arctic Lakeside Fishing Experience - Rovaniemi: $94
Tours and Activities in Helsinki
For Helsinki, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Tip-based Tour of Helsinki - RED UMBRELLA - 2025: $3.61
- Tove Jansson's Helsinki Self Guided Tour: $11
- Helsinki Historical Highlights Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour : $11
- Capital of Contrasts: A Self Guided Audio Tour in Helsinki: $15
- A Finntastic Walking Tour in Helsinki: $24
- Sightseeing Cruise in Archipelago of Helsinki: $32
- Helsinki Canal Cruise: $33
- Hop-On Hop-Off City Tour: $42
- City Sightseeing Helsinki Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $42
- Helsinki Panorama Sightseeing Audio-Guided Bus Tour: $43
- Adventure Day: $48
- Explore Tallinn: Self-Guided Day Cruise from Helsinki: $49
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Helsinki €16
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Helsinki, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Helsinki much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Helsinki would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Helsinki 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 Helsinki.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Helsinki Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Helsinki?
Helsinki has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Helsinki, 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 Helsinki?
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 Helsinki in the Summer?
Both Helsinki and Rovaniemi during the summer are popular places to visit. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Helsinki because of the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Rovaniemi is generally around the same temperature as Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 17°C (62°F).
In Helsinki, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rovaniemi. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Helsinki. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 275 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Helsinki. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Helsinki 17°C (62°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Helsinki in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Helsinki. Also, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Helsinki this time of year.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Rovaniemi is much colder than Helsinki in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Helsinki fluctuates around 6°C (42°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Helsinki during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 90 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Helsinki 6°C (42°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Helsinki in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Helsinki. Also, many travelers come to Helsinki for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Helsinki. It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the winter. In the winter, Rovaniemi is much colder than Helsinki. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rovaniemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Helsinki averages at about -6°C (21°F).
In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Helsinki. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Helsinki receives 39 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in January than Helsinki. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Helsinki -6°C (21°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Helsinki in the Spring?
Both Helsinki and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Helsinki in the spring for the natural beauty.
Helsinki can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In April, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Helsinki. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Helsinki fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Helsinki during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Helsinki receives 183 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Helsinki. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Helsinki receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Helsinki 3°C (37°F)
Typical Weather for Helsinki and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Helsinki | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -6°C (21°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | -7°C (20°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | -3°C (27°F) | 34 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | -4°C (26°F) | 58 mm (2.3 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.