Which place is cheaper, Interlaken 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 Interlaken?
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 Interlaken. 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 Interlaken?
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.
Interlaken
Interlaken is a small city that is located in the Bernese Highlands Region of central Switzerland. It sits pleasantly between two Alpine Lakes, Brienzersee and Thunersee. This scenic setting and its easy accessibility make it a popular base camp for travel into the Bernese Oberland Alps. It has become a top tourist destination in Switzerland and it is also a hub for outdoor sports enthusiasts with plenty of hiking, skiing, paragliding, and other activities in the region.. Interlaken is a great hoping off point to explore many of the nearby mountains, lakes, and valleys, too. It offers easy transportation to most major Swiss cities by train or car.
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 Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.
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Rovaniemi Prices
Finland PricesInterlaken Prices
Switzerland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €208Interlaken €275
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €208, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is €275. 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 Interlaken in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Interlaken €132
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Interlaken €264
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Interlaken
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Interlaken? 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 Interlaken Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Interlaken €13
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Interlaken
Some typical examples of transportation costs in Interlaken are as follows:
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Cable Cars (for 2)€65
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer from interlaken City to Lucerne City: $168
- Private direct transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $263
- Day Hike to Augstmatthorn with Transfer from Interlaken: $264
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $327
- Zurich City / Airport: Private Transfer to Davos/Klosters: $553
- Private Group transfer Interlaken - Zurich Airport: $899
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Interlaken?
Prices for flights to both Interlaken 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 €82Interlaken €110
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
Typical Food Prices in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Tea at Interlaken€32
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- From Night Sledding with Cheese Fondue Dinner: $162
- Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $164
- Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $843
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Interlaken €103
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 Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Interlaken Walking WarpSpeed Tour with Local Expert Guide: $9.99
- Admission Ticket to the Swiss Selfie Museum in Interlaken: $27
- GoTo Bern Old Town Sightseeing One Way Private: $30
- Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $33
- Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm: $48
- Rope Park Climbing Adventure with Entry Ticket: $57
- Harder Kulm - Top of Interlaken - Cable Car Ticket: $57
- 2 Waterfall in Lauterbrunnen from Interlaken Early Express Tour: $65
- Sunset Sightseeing Tour from Mountain with Lake View 2 Hours: $70
- Schynige Platte - Top of Swiss Tradition ticket: $80
- Schynige Platte Cogwheel Railway Return Ticket: $82
- Blausee Express Sightseeing Tour from Interlaken Switzerland: $100
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Interlaken €17
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Interlaken, we can see that Interlaken 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 Interlaken would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Interlaken 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 Interlaken Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Interlaken?
Rovaniemi has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Interlaken. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Interlaken, 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 Interlaken?
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 Interlaken in the Summer?
Both Interlaken and Rovaniemi during the summer are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Interlaken in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Rovaniemi is cooler than Interlaken. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Interlaken averages at about 21°C (70°F).
In Interlaken, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Rovaniemi. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Interlaken. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 241 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Interlaken. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 89 mm (3.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Interlaken 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Interlaken in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Interlaken. Furthermore, most visitors come to Interlaken for the hiking trails and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Interlaken. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Interlaken fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Interlaken during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 70 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Interlaken 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Interlaken in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Interlaken. Additionally, the winter months attract visitors to Interlaken because of the skiing and the cuisine.
The weather in Interlaken can be very cold. Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi is much colder than Interlaken in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Interlaken fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Interlaken. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Interlaken receives 55 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in January than Interlaken. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Interlaken 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Interlaken in the Spring?
Both Interlaken and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Interlaken this time of year.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Interlaken. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Interlaken averages at about 12°C (53°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Interlaken during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Interlaken receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Interlaken. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Interlaken receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Interlaken 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Interlaken and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Interlaken | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 12°C (53°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 100 mm (3.9 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 21°C (69°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 4°C (39°F) | 83 mm (3.3 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.