A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Rovaniemi vs. Murren for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Murren?

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 Murren. 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 Murren?

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.

Murren

Murren (or Muerren) is a fairly expensive destination, as it's a small town in a very popular area for travelers in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland. The town sits up on the side of the mountain above the Lauterbrunnen Valley, and is mostly car free. Getting here involves a ride on a gondola and cog-rail. The main activities in Murren are skiing in winter and outdoor activities in the summer, all of which tend to be a bit pricey. However, the price is well warranted according to most visitors, as the mountain scenery is top notch, the food is excellent, and the activities are world-class.

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 Luxury Tours to Switzerland, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Switzerland.


Which place is cheaper, Murren or Rovaniemi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.

The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Murren is €381. 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 Murren in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Murren 203
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Murren 406
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Murren

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Murren? 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.

Hotels in Rovaniemi


Hotels in Murren


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 Murren Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Murren 47

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

Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Murren?

Prices for flights to both Murren 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
  • Food Meals for one day
    Rovaniemi 47
    Murren 141

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 Murren

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Murren.

  • Sunset hike with outdoor Cheese Fondue dinner: $167

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Murren 56

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 Murren

Here are a few actual costs in Murren for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • Swiss countryside tour in free-cars town: $123
  • Sledding adventure with Chocolate degustation: $129
  • Private Speedriding Tandem Experience in Switzerland: $279

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Murren 18


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Murren, we can see that Murren 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 Murren would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Murren 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 Murren Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Murren?

Rovaniemi has a larger population, and is about 80 times larger than the population of Murren. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Murren, 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.