Which place is cheaper, Karlovy Vary or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary. 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 Karlovy Vary?
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.
Karlovy Vary
Founded in 1370, Karlovy Vary translates to "Charles' Bath" for its founder Charles IV, King of Bohemia and Holy Roman Emperor, as well as its famous hot springs. It is located in Bohemia in the western Czech Republic and is also known as Karlsbad (German) or Carlsbad (English). Another highlight is the International Film Festival in July with draws celebrities and other film enthusiasts worldwide.
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 Cultural Tours in Czech Republic, and The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Czech Republic.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Karlovy Vary €76
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Karlovy Vary is €76. 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 Karlovy Vary in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Karlovy Vary €36
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Karlovy Vary €72
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Karlovy Vary
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary? 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 Karlovy Vary Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Karlovy Vary €24
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 Karlovy Vary
Also for Karlovy Vary, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Private Transfer Karlovy Vary to Prague Vaclav Havel Airport : $66
- Private Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague, English-speaking driver: $120
- Transfer from Karlovy Vary to Prague: Private daytrip with 2h for sightseeing: $128
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary?
Prices for flights to both Karlovy Vary 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 €47Karlovy Vary €25
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 €48Karlovy Vary €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 Karlovy Vary
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Karlovy Vary.
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $32
- Hot Springs Tasting Tour: $35
- Prague: Karlovy Vary Tour with Lunch and Moser Museum Visit: $77
- Karlovy Vary & Marianske Lazne Tour from Prague with Lunch: $112
- Private tour of best of Karlovy Vary - Sightseeing, Food & Culture with a local: $168
- Touristic highlights of Karlovy Vary on a Private half day tour with a local: $168
- Karlovy Vary Private Walking Tour With A Professional Guide: $209
- A day in the life of Karlovy Vary - Private tour with a local: $224
- Private Walking Tour: $227
- LOCATION: Karlovy Vary City Tour: $255
- Full-Day Private Karlovy Vary Tour from Prague: $298
- Private Tour to Karlovy Vary: $353
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Karlovy Vary €6.13
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Karlovy Vary, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Karlovy Vary much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Karlovy Vary would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Karlovy Vary 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 Karlovy Vary.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Karlovy Vary Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary?
Karlovy Vary has a larger population, and is about 49% larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Karlovy Vary, 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 Karlovy Vary?
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 Karlovy Vary in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Karlovy Vary.
In the summer, Rovaniemi is cooler than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 20°C (68°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Karlovy Vary. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 217 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Karlovy Vary. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Karlovy Vary 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary in the Autumn?
Both Karlovy Vary and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In October, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Karlovy Vary. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Karlovy Vary during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 127 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Karlovy Vary. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Karlovy Vary 11°C (51°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary in the Winter?
Both Karlovy Vary and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit.
The weather in Karlovy Vary can be very cold. Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi is much colder than Karlovy Vary in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Karlovy Vary fluctuates around 1°C (33°F).
In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Karlovy Vary. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Karlovy Vary receives 58 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in January than Karlovy Vary. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Karlovy Vary 1°C (33°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Karlovy Vary in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Karlovy Vary.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Karlovy Vary. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Karlovy Vary averages at about 10°C (50°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Karlovy Vary during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Karlovy Vary receives 151 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Karlovy Vary. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Karlovy Vary receives 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Karlovy Vary 10°C (50°F)
Typical Weather for Karlovy Vary and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Karlovy Vary | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (58°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 18°C (65°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 52 mm (2 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (51°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 46 mm (1.8 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.