Which place is cheaper, Rotorua or Tampere?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Tampere or Rotorua?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Tampere and Rotorua can help you decide which place is right for you.
Where Should I go: Tampere or Rotorua?
Tampere
Tampere is a city in southern Finland. It sits between Nasijarvi Lake and Pyhajarvi Lake, with the Tammerkoski rapids in between. It is one of the larger Finnish cities, with more than 200,000 inhabitants, but Tampere has managed to keep the small town feel. The city center is compact in size, and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. The city is located on a scenic spot on a narrow isthmus. The Tammerkoski rapids and their riverbanks form the backdrop for the old industrial buildings, and ridges formed thousands of years ago by ancient seas and retreating ice offer fantastic views over the two lakes. Original architecture and innovative urban development blend together to please both viewers and users of the built environment. Enjoy the surrounding lakes on peaceful rowboat trips or on cruises on larger vessels, or concentrate on the urban sights from a sightseeing bus. Regenerated industrial buildings now house quirky museums, enticing shops, pubs, cinemas and cafes. Tampere has a down-to-earth vitality that makes it a favorite for many visitors.
Rotorua
Located on the banks of Lake Rotorua, Rotorua is famous as the thermal wonderland of New Zealand. The area has a variety of geothermal sights, but it is also close to several lakes and has more traditional activities as well, including fishing, boating and white water rafting.
Rotorua is located in the Taupo Volcanic Zone, which is the largest volcano in the area. There are four major volcanic calderas that now have lakes, and several other volcanoes in the area. Rotorua sits on top of a thermal hot spring, and there are many vents and hot pools throughout the area. Many of the hot pools and sights are located within parks, with some of the best being Waimangu Volcanic Valley, Rainbow Springs Nature Park, and Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland.
Rotorua has a warm, temperate climate. Because of the area's inland location, it has less wind than many places in New Zealand. Temperatures during the winter months can fall to below freezing, but snow is incredibly rare.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Luxury Tours to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best 2-Week Tours in New Zealand, and The Best Bicycle Tours in New Zealand.
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Tampere Prices
Finland PricesRotorua Prices
New Zealand Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTampere €172Rotorua €97
The average daily cost (per person) in Tampere is €172, while the average daily cost in Rotorua is €97. 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 Tampere and Rotorua in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTampere €80Rotorua €41
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTampere €160Rotorua €82
Compare Hotels in Tampere and Rotorua
Looking for a hotel in Tampere or Rotorua? 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: Tampere Hotel Prices and Rotorua Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tampere €59Rotorua €4.25
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tampere
Also for Tampere, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Tampere Private Transfer from Tampere city centre to Tampere airport: $96
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rotorua
Also for Rotorua, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- Rotorua to Auckland Afternoon Transfer with Waitomo Glow Worms: $186
Is it cheaper to fly into Tampere or Rotorua?
Prices for flights to both Rotorua and Tampere 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 dayTampere €57Rotorua €42
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Tampere
For Tampere, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Tampere Food Tour Local Tastings, Meal & Rooftop City Views: $106
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
- Mitai Maori Village: Cultural Experience and Dinner Buffet: $98
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience - Haka + Dinner: $113
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Evening Experience with Dinner: $117
- Te Pa Tu Māori Cultural Experience with Dinner: $156
- Te Puia: Te Pō Indigenous Combo - Tour, Dinner + Haka: $161
- Evening Starlight Gourmet Kayak Tour with dinner: $202
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tampere €24Rotorua €29
Tours and Activities in Tampere
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tampere.
- Tampere Scenic Bike Tour with Sauna and Local Flavors: $106
Typical Entertainment Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Rotorua's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Lunch Out for Two€23
Tours and Activities in Rotorua
For Rotorua, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- 4x4 Self Drive Yamaha Experience : $90
- Agrodome Farm Experience including Farm Show and Farm Tour - Rotorua: $35
- Auckland: One-Way Tour to Rotorua with Waitomo Caves: $179
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights Tour with Wai-O-Tapu & Hot Tubs: $202
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Te Puia Tour & Redwoods: $206
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights inc Wai O Tapu & Te Puia Tour: $223
- Auckland: Rotorua Highlights with Te Puia Tour, Show & Lunch: $226
- Cultural Experience & Seasonal Māori Cuisine at Te Pā Tū : $162
- From Auckland: Rotorua Private Day Tour with Spa Experience: $579
- From HELL's GATE Geothermal MUD BATH Half Day Tour: $159
- From Hobbiton Movie Set Tour with Festive Lunch: $177
- From WAI-O-TAPU Geothermal Wonderland Half-Day Tour: $103
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTampere €10Rotorua €9.82
Typical Alcohol Prices in Rotorua
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Rotorua:
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Bottle of Wine€9.57
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tampere and Rotorua, we can see that Tampere is more expensive. And not only is Rotorua much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. Since Tampere is in Europe and Rotorua is in Pacific, this is one of the main reasons why the costs are so different, as different regions of the world tend to have overall different travel costs. So, traveling to Rotorua would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Rotorua 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 Tampere would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Tampere than you might in Rotorua.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tampere Expensive? and Is Rotorua Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tampere or Rotorua?
Tampere has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rotorua. When comparing the sizes of Tampere and Rotorua, 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 Tampere or Rotorua?
Even though both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, they experience these seasons at different times of the year. Rotorua is in the southern hemisphere and summer is in January and winter is in July, but Tampere has summer in [NORTHERNSUMMERMONTH] and winter in [NORTHERNWINTERMONTH].
Should I visit Tampere or Rotorua in the Summer?
The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Tampere and Rotorua. Also, many visitors come to Rotorua in the summer for the hiking and the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Tampere is a little warmer than Rotorua. Typically, the summer temperatures in Tampere in July average around 16°C (61°F), and Rotorua averages at about 12°C (54°F)in January.
In July, Tampere usually receives more rain than Rotoruain January. Tampere gets 80 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures July and JanuaryTampere 16°C (61°F)Rotorua 12°C (54°F)
Should I visit Tampere or Rotorua in the Autumn?
The autumn brings many poeple to Tampere as well as Rotorua. Also, most visitors come to Rotorua for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months.
In October, Tampere is generally much colder than Rotoruain April. Daily temperatures in Tampere average around 5°C (42°F), and Rotorua fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Tampere usually gets more rain in October than Rotoruain April. Tampere gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures October and AprilTampere 5°C (42°F)Rotorua 16°C (61°F)
Should I visit Tampere or Rotorua in the Winter?
Both Rotorua and Tampere are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Rotorua because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Tampere can be very cold during winter. Tampere is much colder than Rotorua in the winter. The daily temperature in Tampere averages around -7°C (19°F) in January, and Rotorua fluctuates around 26°C (79°F)in July.
In January, Tampere usually receives more rain than Rotoruain July. Tampere gets 36 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures January and JulyTampere -7°C (19°F)Rotorua 26°C (79°F)
Should I visit Tampere or Rotorua in the Spring?
Both Rotorua and Tampere during the spring are popular places to visit. Furthermore, the natural beauty are the main draw to Rotorua this time of year.
The weather in Tampere can be very cold. In the spring, Tampere is much colder than Rotorua. Typically, the spring temperatures in Tampere in April average around 3°C (38°F), and Rotorua averages at about 19°C (66°F)in October.
Tampere usually gets less rain in April than Rotoruain October. Tampere gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Rotorua receives 35 mm (1.4 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures April and OctoberTampere 3°C (38°F)Rotorua 19°C (66°F)
Typical Weather for Rotorua and Tampere
| Tampere | Rotorua | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -7°C (19°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) | 12°C (54°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) |
| Feb | -7°C (19°F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| Mar | -3°C (27°F) | 25 mm (1 in) | 15°C (59°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Apr | 3°C (38°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 34 mm (1.3 in) |
| May | 10°C (50°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (58°F) | 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Jul | 16°C (61°F) | 80 mm (3.1 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 3 mm (0.1 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) | 26°C (79°F) | 1 mm (0 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 10 mm (0.4 in) |
| Oct | 5°C (42°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 19°C (66°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Nov | 0°C (32°F) | 55 mm (2.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 77 mm (3 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (24°F) | 42 mm (1.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 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.