Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Saaremaa?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Saaremaa or Rovaniemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
If you're trying to decide where to visit between Saaremaa or Rovaniemi, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.
Where Should I go: Saaremaa or Rovaniemi?
Saaremaa
Saaremaa is the largest island in Estonia and it has a unique and rural atmosphere that makes it an interesting place to visit. Saaremaa has remained rural and frozen in time due to its isolated location, particularly during Soviet occupation when it was used as a military base. The island still has working windmills, hand placed stone walls, and old stone churches that feel like you've stepped back in time.
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.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours from Tallinn, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Estonia, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Finland, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Finland.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySaaremaa €101Rovaniemi €168
The average daily cost (per person) in Saaremaa is €101, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is €168. 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 Saaremaa and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSaaremaa €36Rovaniemi €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSaaremaa €72Rovaniemi €186
Compare Hotels in Saaremaa and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Saaremaa or Rovaniemi? 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.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Saaremaa €47Rovaniemi €31
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Saaremaa:
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Rental Car and Gas for a Day€34
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,915
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $862
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $765
- Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $576
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $383
- VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $163
- Airport Rovaniemi Transfer by Private Van: $114
- Private Transfer Kiruna - Tromso: $106
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $106
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $96
- Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Helsinki: $96
Is it cheaper to fly into Saaremaa or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Saaremaa 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 daySaaremaa €37Rovaniemi €47
Typical Food Prices in Saaremaa
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Saaremaa:
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Salmon€1.28
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: $115
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $133
- Lappish Cooking Master Class: $146
- Private Sauna, Jacuzzi and Dinner: $176
- Northern Lights dinner in a Glass Igloo: $222
- PRIVATE Glass Igloo Dinner Under Northern Lights : $222
- Dinner with Northern Light hunt : $234
- PRIVATE Party dinner in a Glass Igloo Under Northern Lights : $239
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Saaremaa €21Rovaniemi €48
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Adventure in Rovaniemi: $106
- 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Experience : $97
- 10KM Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $282
- ATV Quad Bike Experience : $129
- All Day Canoe Adventure to Rovaniemi: $206
- Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $190
- Aurora Hunting Guarantee Tour with Photography: $270
- Aurora Hunting Photo Tour from Rovaniemi with Pickup: $110
- Aurora Hunting Pro Tour: $205
- Aurora Hunting Pro Tour With Photography: $212
- Aurora Magic Cabin Overnight Experience: $958
- Aurora hunting & photography tour: $97
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySaaremaa €11Rovaniemi €21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Saaremaa and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Saaremaa much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Saaremaa would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Saaremaa 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 Saaremaa.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Saaremaa Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Saaremaa or Rovaniemi?
Rovaniemi has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Saaremaa. When comparing the sizes of Saaremaa and Rovaniemi, 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 Saaremaa or Rovaniemi?
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 Saaremaa or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
Both Rovaniemi and Saaremaa during the summer are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Saaremaa for the beaches, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.
Saaremaa is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
In Rovaniemi, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Saaremaa. In the summer, Saaremaa often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi. Saaremaa gets 302 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun.
Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in July as Rovaniemi. Saaremaa gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySaaremaa 17°C (62°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Saaremaa and Rovaniemi. Many visitors come to Saaremaa in the autumn for the small town atmosphere and the natural beauty of the area.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during autumn. In the autumn, Saaremaa is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Saaremaa in October average around 8°C (47°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Saaremaa usually receives more sunshine than Rovaniemi during autumn. Saaremaa gets 101 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rovaniemi. Saaremaa gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberSaaremaa 8°C (47°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Saaremaa as well as Rovaniemi. Most visitors come to Saaremaa for the cuisine during these months.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Saaremaa can be very cold during winter. In January, Saaremaa is generally much warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Saaremaa average around -3°C (27°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
In the winter, Saaremaa often gets more sunshine than Rovaniemi. Saaremaa gets 33 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun.
Saaremaa usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Rovaniemi. Saaremaa gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuarySaaremaa -3°C (27°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Saaremaa or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
Both Rovaniemi and Saaremaa are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The spring months attract visitors to Saaremaa because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the spring. The weather in Saaremaa can be very cold. Saaremaa is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Saaremaa averages around 4°C (38°F) in April, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi during spring. Saaremaa gets 196 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Saaremaa usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rovaniemi. Saaremaa gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilSaaremaa 4°C (38°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Saaremaa
| Saaremaa | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -3°C (27°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -3°C (26°F) | 28 mm (1.1 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -1°C (30°F) | 30 mm (1.2 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 4°C (38°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 37 mm (1.5 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 17°C (62°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (55°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (47°F) | 67 mm (2.6 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 4°C (39°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | 0°C (32°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | -10°C (15°F) | 42 mm (1.7 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.