Which place is cheaper, Kiel or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Kiel?
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 Kiel. 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 Kiel?
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.
Kiel
Kiel is a port city on Germany's Baltic Sea coast. Much of the city center it was obliterated during WWII by bombing raids on its U-boat pens. In the old town, the rebuilt, medieval St. Nikolai Church hosts classical concerts and Holstenstrasse and Danische Strasse are streets lined with shops. The city also has several indoor malls linked by pedestrian bridges. Along the Kiel Fjord, the Maritime Museum displays model ships and nautical instruments in a former fish auction hall. Nearby, cruise ships dock at the Ostseekai Terminal in Germania Harbor. This grand harbor in Kiel continues on as it has for centuries and should be the focus of your visit. Huge ferries transport millions of passengers to and from Scandinavia, while summer sees locals strolling the long waterfront promenade.
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 Berlin, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Kiel €138
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Kiel is €138. 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 Kiel in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Kiel €67
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Kiel €134
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Kiel
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Kiel? 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 Kiel Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Kiel €54
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $115
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $86
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $385
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $56
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $55
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kirkenes: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $107
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Kiel
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Kiel:
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Port to Hamburg Airport: $79
- Private Transfer from Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg city: $79
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg Airport (HAM) - Departure Private Transfer: $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Arrival Private Transfer : $118
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port to Hamburg hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer : $235
- Ostseekai Kiel Cruise Port: Private Transfer to Hamburg: $645
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Kiel?
Prices for flights to both Kiel 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 €47Kiel €39
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 €48Kiel €19
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Essential A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- SnowGlow Winterpark Entry Ticket: $26
- Snowman World Entrance Ticket: $31
- Guided Supermarket Tour: $37
- Tour to Aurora Horses Farm with Charming Finnhorses: $38
- Guided Northern Lights Tour by Van: $74
- BBQ Picnic Experience under Northern Lights: $74
- Private Aurora Borealis Car Tour with Hot Drinks: $74
- Bus Tour with Hunting Northern Lights: $75
- Guided tour in Santa Claus village with hotel pick up: $80
- Lapland: Aurora Borealis BBQ Tour: $80
- From Northern Lights Photo Tour with Pickup: $80
Tours and Activities in Kiel
Here are a few actual costs in Kiel for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Lübeck Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.54
- Laboe Naval Memorial: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
- Lindau Scavenger Hunt and Sights Self-Guided Tour: $11
- Kiel's Historical Port: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $12
- Kiel Self-Guided Audio Tour: Explore this Historic Port: $12
- SEA LIFE Timmendorfer Strand Admission Ticket: $16
- City Sightseeing Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $21
- City Sightseeing Kiel Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour: $22
- Lübeck stories - an exciting scavenger hunt tour: $34
- Kiel Crime Experience: self-guided crime tour: $42
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Private Walking Tour of Kiel: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Kiel €12
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Kiel, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Kiel much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Kiel would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Kiel 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 Kiel.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Kiel Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Kiel?
Kiel has a larger population, and is about 7 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Kiel, 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 Kiel?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Kiel in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Kiel. Also, many travelers come to Kiel for the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.
In July, Rovaniemi is generally around the same temperature as Kiel. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Kiel this time of the year. In Rovaniemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Kiel during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 219 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Kiel. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 88 mm (3.4 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Kiel 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Kiel in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Kiel. Also, many visitors come to Kiel in the autumn for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi is much colder than Kiel in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Kiel fluctuates around 10°C (50°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Kiel. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 102 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Kiel. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Kiel 10°C (50°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Kiel in the Winter?
Both Kiel and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, most visitors come to Kiel for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Kiel can be very cold during winter. Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. In the winter, Rovaniemi is much colder than Kiel. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rovaniemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Kiel averages at about 0°C (33°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Kiel during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Kiel receives 39 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Kiel. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Kiel 0°C (33°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Kiel in the Spring?
Both Kiel and Rovaniemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Kiel because of the beaches and the activities around the city.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. In April, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Kiel. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Kiel fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Kiel. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Kiel receives 171 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Kiel. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Kiel receives 49 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Kiel 7°C (44°F)
Typical Weather for Kiel and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Kiel | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 0°C (33°F) | 61 mm (2.4 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 1°C (34°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 3°C (38°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 14°C (56°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 2°C (35°F) | 73 mm (2.9 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.