Which place is cheaper, Munich or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Munich?
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 Munich. 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 Munich?
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.
Munich
Munich is the capital city of Bavaria and a top travel destination within Germany. It has stunning architecture and a cultural scene that rivals Berlin. It has some of the country's top museums, festivals, and concerts. Munich is most famous for its Oktoberfest, which is easily the busiest time of year in the city. The architecture is what surprises most travelers. It's quite impressive and truly adds to the character of the city. Although much of Munich was destroyed during World War II, the city has successfully rebuilt most of the buildings in their previous style. Much of the city remains as it was in the 1800s. There are two major research universities in Munich, helping to make it a center for engineering, business, and the sciences.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Germany, and The Best Walking Tours in Germany.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Munich €148
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Munich is €148. 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 Munich in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Munich €89
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Munich €178
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Munich
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Munich? 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 Munich Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Munich €19
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
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Munich
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Munich:
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Single Zone Trip on Subway€2.30
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Inner District Subway Day Pass€5.20
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City transport day ticket€11
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Munich
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Munich:
- Airport Transfer by Bus: $12
- Shared Arrival Transfer: Munich Airport to Munich Central Station: $14
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Arrival Private Transfer: $32
- Arrival Transfer from Munich Train Station to Munich by Sedan: $60
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Munich - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $63
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Van: $65
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Garmisch-Partenkirchen - Arrival Transfer: $71
- Transfer in private vehicle from Munich City - Munich Airport (MUC): $74
- Transfer in private vehicle from Munich Airport (MUC)- Munich City: $74
- Arrival Transfer Munich Train Station to Munich by Luxury Car: $74
- Munich Airport (MUC) to Arber Resort - Arrival Private Transfer: $87
- Private Departure Transfer from Munich to Munich Airport by Sedan: $91
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Munich?
Prices for flights to both Munich 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 €47Munich €27
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 Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Munich:
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Bratwurst€5.00
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Leberkässemmeln (Veal & Pork Sandwich)€1.95
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Munich
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Munich.
- Hard Rock Cafe with Set Menu for Lunch or Dinner: $27
- Viktualienmarkt Gourmet Food Tour: $46
- Private Salzburg History & Food Tour with Munich train add-on: $55
- Food Tour Beer- 3 small beers & "Brotzeit" in GERMAN: $79
- 6 gears dinner show menu: $99
- Original Munich Christmas Market Food Tour - all tastings included: $136
- Lunch Like a Local: Munich's ORIGINAL Viktualienmarkt Food Tour: $141
- Private Full Day Bavarian Beer and Food Tour in Munich: $209
- Private - Viktualienmarkt Food Tour and Beyond - best Munich tastings: $229
- Munich Food Tour & Food Market with German Delicacies: $265
- Salzburg Semi-Private Guided Day Tour from Munich with Dinner : $273
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Rovaniemi €48Munich €29
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
Typical Entertainment Prices in Munich
Here are a few typical costs in Munich for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
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Schack Gallery Entrance€4.00
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Munich Zoo Entrance€9.00
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Pub Crawl Munich Tour€14
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Neuschwanstein Castle (2)€24
Tours and Activities in Munich
Here are a few actual costs in Munich for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:
- Selfguided Audiotour "Munich Old Town": $3.20
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
- Victuals Market Self-Guided Audio Tour: $3.74
- Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $4.28
- Guided tour through the Sudeten German Museum: $5.35
- Escape Game and Tour: $5.35
- From Germany eSIM Tourist Roaming Data Plan: $5.35
- Munich through the Centuries: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $5.99
- Self-guided Walking Tour to River Isar Landmarks: $6.31
- City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.36
- Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and Tour: $6.95
- Interactive City Tour on Your Smartphone: $7.48
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Munich €37
Typical Alcohol Prices in Munich
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Munich:
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Hofbrauhaus€12
Sample the Local Flavors in Munich
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Munich:
- Exclusive Brewery Tour & Tasting of 4 Organic Beers: $28
- Munich's Original Pub Crawl: $31
- English Guided Brewery Tour in Munich beertasting 4 beers: $37
- Max & Moritz: Interactive Wine Tasting Experience: $37
- Cheese & Wine tasting: $95
- The ORIGINAL Munich Christmas Market Festive Wine Tour -with food: $141
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $288
- Private Wine Tasting Tour in Munich with a Wine Expert: $294
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
- Bachelor(ette) Party with Pub Crawl: $401
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Munich, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Munich much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Munich would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Munich 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 Munich.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Munich Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Munich?
Munich has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Munich, 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 Munich?
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 Munich in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Munich. Also, most visitors come to Munich for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.
Rovaniemi is cooler than Munich in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Munich fluctuates around 20°C (68°F).
People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Munich this time of the year. In Rovaniemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Munich during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 242 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Munich. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Munich receives 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Munich 20°C (68°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Munich in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Munich. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Munich because of the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the music scene.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Munich. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Munich averages at about 11°C (52°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Munich. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 115 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in October than Munich. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Munich receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Munich 11°C (52°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Munich in the Winter?
Both Munich and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Munich this time of year.
It's quite cold in Munich in the winter. The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Munich. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Munich fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Munich during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Munich receives 30 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives around the same amount of rain as Munich. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Munich receives 43 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Munich -1°C (31°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Munich in the Spring?
Both Munich and Rovaniemi during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many travelers come to Munich for the activities around the city.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Munich in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Munich fluctuates around 11°C (53°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Munich. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Munich receives 172 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Munich. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Munich receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Munich 11°C (53°F)
Typical Weather for Munich and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Munich | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 3°C (37°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 11°C (53°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 66 mm (2.6 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 19°C (65°F) | 88 mm (3.5 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 17°C (62°F) | 60 mm (2.3 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 11°C (52°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 6°C (42°F) | 52 mm (2.1 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 1°C (33°F) | 49 mm (1.9 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.