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

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw?

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 Warsaw. 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 Warsaw?

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.

Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.

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 Sightseeing Tours in Poland, and The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Krakow.


Which place is cheaper, Warsaw 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 Warsaw is €86. 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 Warsaw in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Warsaw 48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Warsaw 96
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Warsaw

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Warsaw? 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 Warsaw


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 Warsaw Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Warsaw 4.38

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 Warsaw

Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • ONEWAY Private Warsaw Chopin Airport(WAW) to/from Warsaw Transfer: $24
  • Bus Transfer to/from Vilnus: $35
  • Warsaw Chopin Airport one way private transfer 5-8 PAX: $36
  • Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to City centre: $41
  • Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw city centre to Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW): $41
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Warsaw APT-HTL (WAW): $42
  • Private Transfer from Warsaw Chopin Airport: $43
  • Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to Downtown hotels - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $44
  • Private transfer by social-distance car from or to Warsaw Chopin Airport: $44
  • Private Round-Trip Transfer: Warsaw Chopin Airport: $49
  • Indoor Paintball with Hotel Transfers: $55
  • Economy Private Warsaw Okecie Airport Transfer: $57

Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Warsaw?

Prices for flights to both Warsaw 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
    Warsaw 25

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 Warsaw

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:


  • Dinner for Two
    12
  • Lunch for Two
    9.77

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw

For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lunch or Dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line: $17
  • Warsaw's No 1 cooking class-Polish dumplings with liqueur tasting: $61
  • Polish Dumplings Cooking Class: $62
  • Traditional Polish Cooking Class in Warsaw: $79
  • Traditional Polish Cooking Class with liquor tasting in Warsaw: $89
  • Polish Food Tour: $92
  • Taste of Poland - Old Town food tour and guided walk in one: $94
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $109
  • The 10 Tastings of Warsaw With Locals: Private Food Tour : $117
  • EVERYDAY Warsaw Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $156
  • Traditional Food Tour with Old Town Sightseeing: $156

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Warsaw 6.56

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

Tours and Activities in Warsaw

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.

  • First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.21
  • Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Walking Tour: $4.28
  • Walking Audio Tour of Wilanów Palace Grounds: $5.20
  • Uncover Historic Marvels of In-App Audio Tour: $5.32
  • Old Town Self-Guided Smartphone Audio Tour: $5.99
  • Warsaw Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.00
  • City Exploration Game and Tour on your Phone: $6.41
  • Smartphone Escape Game and Tour: $6.42
  • Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
  • POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews Ticket: $11
  • Warsaw Old Town In-App Audio Tour on Your Phone (ENG): $12
  • Traditional Galar Cruise on The Vistula River: $15

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Warsaw 9.76

Sample the Local Flavors in Warsaw

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Warsaw:

  • The Original Pub Crawl: $16
  • #1 Pub Crawl Warsaw with Premium Open Bar: $20
  • Pub Crawl with 1-Hour Open Bar: $20
  • Warsaw Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $176


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

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


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Warsaw?

Warsaw has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Warsaw, 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 Warsaw?

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 Warsaw in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Warsaw. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Warsaw because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rovaniemi is cooler than Warsaw. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Warsaw averages at about 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Warsaw. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Warsaw receives 353 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Warsaw 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Autumn?

Both Warsaw and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Warsaw this time of year.

The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In October, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Warsaw. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Warsaw fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Warsaw during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Warsaw receives 135 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Warsaw 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Winter?

Both Warsaw and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Warsaw for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Warsaw. It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the winter. Rovaniemi is much colder than Warsaw in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Warsaw fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Warsaw receives 35 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in January than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Warsaw -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Warsaw. Also, many visitors come to Warsaw in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Warsaw. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Warsaw averages at about 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Warsaw this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Warsaw during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Warsaw receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Warsaw 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Warsaw and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Warsaw
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -3°C (27°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) -1°C (30°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (65°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -0°C (31°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)