Which place is cheaper, Villach or Rovaniemi?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Rovaniemi or Villach?
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 Villach. 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 Villach?
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.
Villach
Located on the Drava River in the Austrian province of Carinthia, near the Italian and Slovenian borders, the city of Villach is known as a gateway to nearby lakes Faak and Ossiach, as well as the Villach Alps. Hiking and water sports are common in the surrounding area, as well as historic sight-seeing and enjoying the picturesque town center called Altstadt.
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 2-Week Tours in Austria, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Austria.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayRovaniemi €174Villach €116
The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €174, while the average daily cost in Villach is €116. 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 Villach in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personRovaniemi €93Villach €69
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomRovaniemi €186Villach €138
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Villach
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Villach? 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 Villach Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Rovaniemi €31Villach €18
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $55
- Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $56
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $75
- Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $77
- Rovaniemi Private City Transfer by Luxury Vehicule : $83
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $86
- Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $87
- Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $87
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre to Rovaniemi airport: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Villach?
Prices for flights to both Villach 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 €47Villach €35
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 €48Villach €15
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 Villach
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Villach are as follows:
- Murder Crime Game Self-Guided Interactive Tour: $74
- Villach Private Walking Tour with Professional Guide: $250
- Magic Christmas Tour: $769
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayRovaniemi €21Villach €14
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Villach, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Villach much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Villach would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Villach 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 Villach.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Rovaniemi Expensive? and Is Villach Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Villach?
Villach has a larger population, and is about 69% larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Villach, 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 Villach?
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 Villach in the Summer?
Both Villach and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many travelers come to Villach for the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Rovaniemi is much colder than Villach in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Villach fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).
It's quite sunny in Villach. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Villach during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 288 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Villach. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyRovaniemi 15°C (60°F)Villach 24°C (75°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Villach in the Autumn?
Both Villach and Rovaniemi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Furthermore, many visitors come to Villach in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Villach. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Villach averages at about 16°C (60°F).
In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Villach. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 167 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in October than Villach. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberRovaniemi 2°C (36°F)Villach 16°C (60°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Villach in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Villach. Furthermore, most visitors come to Villach for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Villach. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Villach fluctuates around 5°C (41°F).
Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Villach during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Villach receives 96 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Villach. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Villach receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryRovaniemi -12°C (10°F)Villach 5°C (41°F)
Should I visit Rovaniemi or Villach in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Villach. Additionally, the spring months attract visitors to Villach because of the small town charm and the natural beauty.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. Rovaniemi is much colder than Villach in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Villach fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).
In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets more sunshine than Villach. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Villach receives 177 hours of full sun.
Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Villach. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Villach receives 87 mm (3.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilRovaniemi -1°C (31°F)Villach 13°C (56°F)
Typical Weather for Villach and Rovaniemi
| Rovaniemi | Villach | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) | 5°C (41°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Feb | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 7°C (44°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| Mar | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 9°C (49°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Apr | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| May | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 18°C (64°F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) |
| Jun | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | 22°C (71°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Jul | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
| Aug | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 24°C (74°F) | 101 mm (4 in) |
| Sep | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 20°C (68°F) | 102 mm (4 in) |
| Oct | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 16°C (60°F) | 87 mm (3.4 in) |
| Nov | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 10°C (51°F) | 114 mm (4.5 in) |
| Dec | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 6°C (44°F) | 92 mm (3.6 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.