Which place is cheaper, Lucerne or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Lucerne?
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 Lucerne. 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 Lucerne?
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.
Lucerne
Lucerne is a relatively small city in the center of Switzerland. It is located across the lake from Altdorf and it has a thriving tourism industry. It's close proximity to many of the major sights in the country make it a great base for exploration. Many people use it as a jumping off point for exploring Mount Rigi and the Rutli Meadow.
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 in Switzerland, and The Best 2-Week Tours in Switzerland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Lucerne €200
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Lucerne is €200. 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 Lucerne in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Lucerne €128
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Lucerne €256
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Lucerne
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Lucerne? 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 Lucerne Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Lucerne €12
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 Lucerne
Also for Lucerne, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Bad Ragaz Resorts to Zurich Airport ZRH - Departure Transfer: $126
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich English Speaking Driver: $134
- Zurich Airport (ZRH) to Bad Ragaz Resorts - Round-Trip Transfer: $251
- From Canyoning in Interlaken w/ Return Transfer: $257
- Rafting in Interlaken with Return Transfer from Lucerne: $257
- Private Transfer from Lucerne to Zurich Airport: $284
- Lucerne City to Zurich City One-Way Private Transfer : $300
- Private transfer from Zurich airport to Lucerne: $547
- LAUTERBRUNNEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $722
- INTERLAKEN Private Transfer from Zurich Airport: $744
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Lucerne?
Prices for flights to both Lucerne 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 €47Lucerne €58
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
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Swiss Alps: Traditional Swiss Fondue Cooking Class: $82
- Lake Candlelight Dinner Cruise: $141
- From Zurich: 2-Day Mt.Titlis including 4-course dinner: $547
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Lucerne €32
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Lucerne
For Lucerne, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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1 Day Bicycle Rental€32
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The Swiss Transport Museum Entrance Fee€33
Tours and Activities in Lucerne
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Lucerne.
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Revealing Self-Guided Reading City Tour: $5.47
- Smartphone walking tour - cool Lucerne old town: $5.47
- Walking Tour - Around the Old Town Lucerne: $5.60
- The Lives and Legends of A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Lucerne Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.42
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.42
- Revealing Self-Guided Audio City Tour: $11
- Porrentruy Secret Tour: $13
- Scavenger Hunt and Self-guided Walking Tour: $15
- Swiss Chocolate Adventure Experience: $20
- Guided Walking Tour with an Official Guide: $27
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Lucerne €21
Sample the Local Flavors in Lucerne
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Lucerne:
- 3 Hour Unique Wine Tour - Half Day in Swiss Alps: $166
- Lake Lucerne Region Wine Tasting: $273
When comparing the travel costs between Rovaniemi and Lucerne, we can see that Lucerne is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Lucerne Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Lucerne?
Lucerne has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Lucerne, 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 Lucerne?
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 Lucerne in the Summer?
The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Lucerne. Also, the city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Lucerne this time of year.
Rovaniemi is cooler than Lucerne in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Lucerne fluctuates around 21°C (70°F).
The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Lucerne. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Lucerne. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 241 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Lucerne. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Lucerne 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)Lucerne 21°C (70°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Lucerne in the Autumn?
Both Lucerne and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Lucerne for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the autumn. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Lucerne. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Lucerne averages at about 13°C (56°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Lucerne during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 120 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Lucerne 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)Lucerne 13°C (56°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Lucerne in the Winter?
Both Lucerne and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Lucerne in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Lucerne can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Lucerne. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Lucerne fluctuates around 3°C (37°F).
In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Lucerne. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Lucerne receives 55 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in January than Lucerne. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Lucerne receives 77 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Lucerne 3°C (37°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Lucerne in the Spring?
The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Lucerne. Furthermore, most visitors come to Lucerne for the activities around the city and the natural beauty during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Lucerne in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Lucerne fluctuates around 12°C (53°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Lucerne during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Lucerne receives 150 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Lucerne. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Lucerne 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)Lucerne 12°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Lucerne and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Lucerne | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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.