Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Tartu?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tartu or Rovaniemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Tartu and Rovaniemi can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.
Where Should I go: Tartu or Rovaniemi?
Tartu
Tartu is a university town that is also the second largest city in Estonia. It has a population of about 100,000 and dates back to 1030, making it the oldest city in the country. The Emajogi River passes through town and it has a lovely old town that's pleasant to explore. The city is a great place to see day to day life in Estonia. It is a very real town with people going about their daily lives. If you find yourself here when the weather is nice, you'll be greeted by crowds of happy locals out enjoying the weather. They make full use of the warm, sunny weather with festivals, events, and concerts during the summer. This is easily the most fun and eventful time to visit the city.
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 Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget 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 dayTartu €105Rovaniemi €174
The average daily cost (per person) in Tartu is €105, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is €174. 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 Tartu and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTartu €47Rovaniemi €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTartu €94Rovaniemi €186
Compare Hotels in Tartu and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Tartu 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: Tartu Hotel Prices and Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tartu €27Rovaniemi €31
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Tartu or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Tartu 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 dayTartu €37Rovaniemi €47
Typical Food Prices in Tartu
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Tartu:
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Danishes€0.76
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Lunch for Two€4.93
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Ice Cream€1.27
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Cookies€0.51
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Coffee & Cake€3.47
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.Tartu €16Rovaniemi €48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Tartu
For Tartu, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
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Art Museum ticket€0.95
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Movie Ticket€3.47
Tours and Activities in Tartu
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tartu.
- European Capital of Culture 2024 - Cycling Tour: $14
- Around Viljandi bike tour: $27
- TARTU COUNTRY: SLED DOG TOUR & KENNEL VISIT: $75
- Magical Tartu Romantic Walking Tour: $127
- Charming Viljandi Walking Tour for Couples: $142
- Spectacular Christmas Walking Tour in Viljandi: $199
- Traditional Christmas Walking Tour in Tartu: $234
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTartu €16Rovaniemi €21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tartu and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Tartu much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tartu would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tartu 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 Tartu.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tartu Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tartu or Rovaniemi?
Tartu has a larger population, and is about 3 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
Both Rovaniemi and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Tartu this time of year.
Tartu is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu 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 Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Rovaniemi. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun.
Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Rovaniemi. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyTartu 17°C (62°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Tartu or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Rovaniemi. Many travelers come to Tartu for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Tartu is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).
Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi during autumn. Tartu gets 86 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun in the autumn.
In October, Tartu usually receives less rain than Rovaniemi. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 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 OctoberTartu 6°C (43°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Tartu or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Rovaniemi. Many visitors come to Tartu in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. Tartu can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Tartu is generally much warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
In the winter, Tartu often gets more sunshine than Rovaniemi. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun.
Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Rovaniemi. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 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 JanuaryTartu -7°C (19°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Tartu or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
Both Rovaniemi and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Tartu for the natural beauty during these months.
The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Tartu can be very cold during spring. Tartu is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Tartu usually receives more rain than Rovaniemi. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 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 AprilTartu 5°C (41°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Tartu
| Tartu | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -7°C (19°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -6°C (20°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -2°C (29°F) | 26 mm (1 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 5°C (41°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 11°C (53°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 15°C (59°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 16°C (61°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 6°C (43°F) | 52 mm (2 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 1°C (33°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -4°C (25°F) | 40 mm (1.6 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.