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

Should you visit Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Where Should I go: Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi?

Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg is a beautiful city that sits on the eastern edge of the Baltic Sea. Its historical city center is threaded with canals and architecturally impressive buildings, leaving little doubt as to why this city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is the second largest city in Russia, but perhaps a favorite among travelers. The metropolitan area has a population of over 5 million as well as an impressive culture with fascinating museums, restaurants, and architecture. The city has no shortage of sights and attractions, and many days can be passed while you wander its intricate streets.

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


Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Saint Petersburg?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Saint Petersburg is $64, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is $189. 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 Saint Petersburg and Rovaniemi in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Saint Petersburg $36
    Rovaniemi $102
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Saint Petersburg $72
    Rovaniemi $204
Compare Hotels in Saint Petersburg and Rovaniemi

Looking for a hotel in Saint Petersburg 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.

Hotels in Saint Petersburg


Hotels in Rovaniemi


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
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $7.38
    Rovaniemi $34
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Saint Petersburg

Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint Petersburg:


  • Metro Passes
    $1.36

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:

  • Transfer from Rovaniemi to Helsinki: $1,955
  • Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi by private van: $652
  • Transfer Rovaniemi - Kakslautanen by private van: $868
  • Transfer Rovaniemi - Ivalo by private van: $977
  • Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $98
  • Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $98
  • Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $87
  • Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer: $87
  • Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $76
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Tromso: $109
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $109
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Kiruna: $109

Is it cheaper to fly into Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi?

Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Saint Petersburg 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
    Saint Petersburg $19
    Rovaniemi $51
Typical Food Prices in Saint Petersburg

For Saint Petersburg, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:


  • Lunch for Two
    $4.67

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rovaniemi

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

  • Lappish Cooking Master Class: $136
  • Snow Hotel Tour and Ice Restaurant Dinner: $151
  • From SnowHotel Aurora Experience with Dinner: $151
  • Traditional Lappish evening in the wilderness with dinner: $171
  • Best Of Lapland: Sauna, Ice swimming, Dinner & Northern Lights : $171
  • Arctic Snowcastle with Dinner in Ice Restaurant: $178
  • Lappish Evening Experience with Dinner: $179
  • Private Sauna, Jacuzzi and Dinner: $179
  • Snow Sauna Experience with Dinner: $205
  • Ice Restaurant Dinner with Snow Sauna & Transfer: $216
  • Northern Lights dinner in a Glass Igloo: $226
  • PRIVATE Glass Igloo Dinner Under Northern Lights : $226

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Saint Petersburg $18
    Rovaniemi $52

Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi

Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:

  • Ice Waterfall Tour in Korouoma: $149
  • 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Adventure in Rovaniemi: $108
  • 1-Hour Snowmobile Safari Experience : $98
  • 2-Hour Ice Fishing Experience in Rovaniemi, Finland: $99
  • 2h Winter Bike Tour - Riversides of Rovaniemi: $105
  • 3-Hour ATV Experience in Rovaniemi: $131
  • 3-Hours Small-Group Ski Trekking by Night Experience: $127
  • 5km Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $242
  • All in One Santa Claus Village with Dog Sledding Adventure: $274
  • Apukka Husky Adventure in Rovaniemi: $186
  • Arctic Adventure through Magical Frozen Forests of Riisitunturi: $263
  • Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $193

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Saint Petersburg $9.81
    Rovaniemi $23


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

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


Which is Bigger, Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi?

Saint Petersburg has a larger population, and is about 120 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg 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 Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Saint Petersburg as well as Rovaniemi.

In the summer, Saint Petersburg is a little warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Saint Petersburg in July average around 18°C (64°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 15°C (60°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rovaniemi. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Saint Petersburg this time of the year. In the summer, Saint Petersburg often gets less sunshine than Rovaniemi. Saint Petersburg gets 267 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets more rain in July than Rovaniemi. Saint Petersburg gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Saint Petersburg 18°C (64°F) 
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?

Both Rovaniemi and Saint Petersburg are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities.

It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the autumn. In October, Saint Petersburg is generally much warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Saint Petersburg average around 6°C (42°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives less sunshine than Rovaniemi during autumn. Saint Petersburg gets 70 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rovaniemi. Saint Petersburg gets 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Saint Petersburg 6°C (42°F) 
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi in the Winter?

Both Rovaniemi and Saint Petersburg during the winter are popular places to visit.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. It's quite cold in Saint Petersburg in the winter. Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the winter. The daily temperature in Saint Petersburg averages around -8°C (18°F) in January, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).

In the winter, Saint Petersburg often gets more sunshine than Rovaniemi. Saint Petersburg gets 22 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun.

Saint Petersburg usually gets less rain in January than Rovaniemi. Saint Petersburg gets 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Saint Petersburg -8°C (18°F) 
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)

Should I visit Saint Petersburg or Rovaniemi in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Saint Petersburg and Rovaniemi.

Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Saint Petersburg. In the spring, Saint Petersburg is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Saint Petersburg in April average around 4°C (40°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about -1°C (31°F).

Saint Petersburg usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi during spring. Saint Petersburg gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Saint Petersburg usually receives more rain than Rovaniemi. Saint Petersburg gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Saint Petersburg 4°C (40°F) 
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)

Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Saint Petersburg

Saint Petersburg Rovaniemi
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -8°C (18°F) 38 mm (1.5 in) -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Feb -7°C (20°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar -2°C (28°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in)
Apr 4°C (40°F) 33 mm (1.3 in) -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in)
May 11°C (52°F) 37 mm (1.5 in) 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in)
Jun 16°C (60°F) 55 mm (2.2 in) 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Jul 18°C (64°F) 77 mm (3 in) 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in)
Aug 16°C (62°F) 80 mm (3.1 in) 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 11°C (52°F) 69 mm (2.7 in) 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Oct 6°C (42°F) 65 mm (2.6 in) 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in)
Nov 0°C (32°F) 54 mm (2.1 in) -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in)
Dec -5°C (24°F) 48 mm (1.9 in) -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)