Which place is cheaper, Interlaken or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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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 One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Geneva, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Zurich.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Interlaken €217
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Interlaken is €217. 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 €125
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Interlaken €250
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 €12
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $163
- Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,925
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $578
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $769
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $866
- Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $87
- Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $87
- Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $77
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre to Rovaniemi airport: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $87
- Rovaniemi Private City Transfer by Luxury Vehicule : $83
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $75
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)€62
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Interlaken
Also for Interlaken, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Transfer from/to Hotel - Airport: $160
- Private Transfer from Interlaken to Zurich: $240
- From Private One-Way Transfer to Lucerne: $284
- Private Group transfer Zurich Airport - Interlaken: $1,312
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 €47Interlaken €60
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
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€31
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Fondue Cooking Class and Cheese Workshop in Switzerland: $143
- Cheese and Chocolate Full-Day Food Tour: $733
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Interlaken €97
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 Interlaken
For Interlaken, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $15
- Interlaken Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $16
- Hofstetten bei Brienz: Trauffer Erlebniswelt Ticket: $16
- Private Lake Thun and Lake Brienz Express Tour from Interlaken: $29
- Funicular Ticket to Harder Kulm: $42
- Rope Park Climbing Adventure with Entry Ticket: $46
- Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder: $86
- Bollywood Tour Gstaad - Express Tour: $90
- Funicular Ticket from Interlaken to Harder (Top of Interlaken): $102
- Interlaken Valley Bike Tour: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $108
- Bike Tour of the Interlaken Valley: Rivers, Lakes & Forests: $111
- Waterfalls Day Tour: $119
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Interlaken €16
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.