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

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Sopron?

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 Sopron. 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 Sopron?

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.

Sopron

Sopron is a city in northwestern Hungary, located right on the Austrian border at the foot of the Alps near Lake Neusiedl.

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 Budget Tours to Hungary, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Hungary.


Which place is cheaper, Sopron 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 Sopron is €61. 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 Sopron in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Sopron 27
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Sopron 54
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Sopron

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Sopron? 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 Sopron


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 Sopron Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Sopron 20

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 Sopron?

Prices for flights to both Sopron 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
    Sopron 22

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
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Sopron 5.17

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 Sopron

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

  • Romantic tour in Sopron for couples: $98
  • The best of Sopron walking tour: $163
  • Romantic tour in Sopron for couples: $191
  • City Highlights Walking Tour: $191
  • Special Magical Christmas tour around Sopron: $218

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Sopron 5.29


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Sopron, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Sopron much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Sopron would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Sopron 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 Sopron.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Sopron Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Sopron?

Sopron has a larger population, and is about 64% larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Sopron, 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 Sopron?

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 Sopron in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Sopron.

In July, Rovaniemi is generally cooler than Sopron. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 15°C (60°F), and Sopron fluctuates around 23°C (73°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Sopron this time of the year. In Rovaniemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives more sunshine than Sopron during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Sopron receives 255 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Sopron. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Sopron 23°C (73°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Sopron in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Sopron.

The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Rovaniemi is much colder than Sopron in the autumn. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 2°C (36°F) in October, and Sopron fluctuates around 12°C (54°F).

In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Sopron. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sopron receives 140 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in October than Sopron. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Sopron 12°C (54°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Sopron in the Winter?

Both Sopron and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Sopron. It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the winter. In the winter, Rovaniemi is much colder than Sopron. Typically, the winter temperatures in Rovaniemi in January average around -12°C (10°F), and Sopron averages at about 2°C (36°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Sopron during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Sopron receives 65 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Sopron. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Sopron 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Sopron in the Spring?

Both Sopron and Rovaniemi during the spring are popular places to visit.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In April, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Sopron. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -1°C (31°F), and Sopron fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In Sopron, it's very sunny this time of the year. In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Sopron. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Sopron receives 202 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Sopron. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Sopron receives 51 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Sopron 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Sopron and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Sopron
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 4°C (38°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 8°C (46°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 51 mm (2 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 61 mm (2.4 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 20°C (69°F) 74 mm (2.9 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 23°C (73°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 22°C (72°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (64°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 12°C (54°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 7°C (45°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 3°C (37°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)