Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Vilnius?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Vilnius or Rovaniemi?
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 Vilnius and Rovaniemi. 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: Vilnius or Rovaniemi?
Vilnius
Vilnius is the capital and largest city in the country of Lithuania. It has a population of more than 500,000 residents and is located in the valley between the Neris River and the Vilnia River in the southeastern part of the country. Visitors come to the city for its beautiful Old Town, impressive architecture, and fascinating culture. In 2009 it was named the European Capital of Culture along with the city of Linz, in Austria.
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 One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Vilnius, The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Lithuania, 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 dayVilnius €94Rovaniemi €174
The average daily cost (per person) in Vilnius is €94, 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 Vilnius and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personVilnius €42Rovaniemi €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomVilnius €84Rovaniemi €186
Compare Hotels in Vilnius and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Vilnius 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: Vilnius Hotel Prices and Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Vilnius €8.30Rovaniemi €31
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Vilnius
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Vilnius:
- Airport Bus Transfer to/from Central Bus Station: $3.19
- Riga: Bus Transfer to/from Vilnius: $20
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Riga: $23
- Private Vilnius Airport Arrival Transfer: $27
- Vilnius Airport: Bus Transfer to/from Warsaw: $35
- Arrival Transfer from Vilnius VNO Airport to Vilnius by Minivan: $45
- Vilnius Airport Transfer: $51
- Vilnius Airport (VNO): Bus Transfer to/from Gdansk: $51
- Vilnius Private 1-Way Airport Transfer: $53
- Private Transfer from Vilnius Airport to Lithuania: $141
- Jewish Heritage Sites Private Tour with Transfer: $213
- Transfer from Kaunas Airport to Vilnius: $213
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:
- From Return Transfer to Ranua Zoo by Private Van: $29
- From Rovaniemi Private Transfer To Polar Explorer Icebreaker: $48
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $54
- Private Transfer from Rovaniemi airport-city centre: $74
- Airport & City Transfers in Rovaniemi : $76
- Santa Claus Village Guided Tour with Transfer: $77
- Rovaniemi Private City Transfer by Luxury Vehicule : $82
- From Helsinki: Private Transfer to Rovaniemi: $85
- Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer: $86
- Santa Claus Village Tour with Transfer: $86
- Trip to Santa Claus Village with Hotel Transfer: $86
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $87
Is it cheaper to fly into Vilnius or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Vilnius 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 dayVilnius €40Rovaniemi €47
Typical Food Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of dining costs in Vilnius are as follows:
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Dinner for Two€13
Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Vilnius
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Vilnius.
- Private National Dinner with Folk Show: $60
- Dinner in local family: $74
- Cooking Class in Vilnius : $84
- Flavors of Vilnius - Private Walking Food Tour: $190
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.Vilnius €9.72Rovaniemi €48
Typical Entertainment Prices in Vilnius
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Vilnius are as follows:
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Walking Tour€5.79
Tours and Activities in Vilnius
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Vilnius are as follows:
- First Discovery Walk and Reading Walking Tour: $3.19
- Secrets of Old Vilnius Smartphone App GPS Audio Walking Tour: $6.00
- City Exploration Game and Tour: $6.38
- Self-Guided Highlights Scavenger Hunt & Tour: $6.38
- Vilnius Scavenger Hunt and Best Landmarks Self-Guided Tour: $6.51
- Self-Guided Audio Tour: $11
- Skip the Line: Europos Parkas, Open-Air Museum Ticket Vilnius, Lithuania: $12
- Vibrant Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour: $14
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $18
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $18
- Regular walking tour of Soviet Vilnius: $18
- Regular walking tour of Jewish Vilnius: $18
Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Essential A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $6.99
- SnowGlow Winterpark Entry Ticket: $26
- Snowman World Entrance Ticket: $31
- Guided Supermarket Tour: $37
- From Northern Lights Photo Tour with Pickup: $67
- Rovaniemi photography tour: $70
- Northen Light Hunting Tour: $73
- From Northern Lights Van Tour with Photos: $73
- From Northern Lights Photo Tour with Pickup: $73
- Aurora Hunting Photography Tour with Barbeque: $73
- Aurora Hunting Photography Tour with Hot Drinks: $73
- From Northern Lights Van Tour with Photos: $73
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayVilnius €6.38Rovaniemi €21
Typical Alcohol Prices in Vilnius
Here are a few samples of the prices for alcohol and nightlife in Vilnius from other travelers:
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Beer€4.34
Sample the Local Flavors in Vilnius
Also in Vilnius, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
- Beer degustation at Bear & Boar Brewery Taproom: $43
- Vilnius Private Pub & Bar Crawl Tour & Hidden Gems: $46
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Vilnius and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Vilnius much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Vilnius would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Vilnius 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 Vilnius.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Vilnius Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Vilnius or Rovaniemi?
Vilnius has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Vilnius 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 Vilnius or Rovaniemi?
Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.
Should I visit Vilnius or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
Both Rovaniemi and Vilnius are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. The summer months attract visitors to Vilnius because of the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Vilnius is a little warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the summer temperatures in Vilnius in July average around 18°C (65°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 15°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Rovaniemi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Vilnius. Vilnius usually receives less sunshine than Rovaniemi during summer. Vilnius gets 219 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Vilnius usually receives more rain than Rovaniemi. Vilnius gets 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulyVilnius 18°C (65°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
Both Rovaniemi and Vilnius during the autumn are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Vilnius this time of year.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In October, Vilnius is generally much warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Vilnius average around 8°C (46°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the autumn, Vilnius often gets more sunshine than Rovaniemi. Vilnius gets 94 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun.
Vilnius usually gets less rain in October than Rovaniemi. Vilnius gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Autumn Average Temperatures OctoberVilnius 8°C (46°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Vilnius and Rovaniemi. Many travelers come to Vilnius for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Vilnius. Vilnius is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the winter. The daily temperature in Vilnius averages around -5°C (23°F) in January, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
Vilnius usually receives more sunshine than Rovaniemi during winter. Vilnius gets 36 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Vilnius usually receives around the same amount of rain as Rovaniemi. Vilnius gets 41 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain each month for the winter.
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Winter Average Temperatures JanuaryVilnius -5°C (23°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Vilnius or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Vilnius as well as Rovaniemi. Many visitors come to Vilnius in the spring for the natural beauty.
Rovaniemi can be very cold during spring. In the spring, Vilnius is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the spring temperatures in Vilnius in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about -1°C (31°F).
In the spring, Vilnius often gets less sunshine than Rovaniemi. Vilnius gets 164 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun.
Vilnius usually gets more rain in April than Rovaniemi. Vilnius gets 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain this time of the year.
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Spring Average Temperatures AprilVilnius 7°C (45°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Vilnius
| Vilnius | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -5°C (23°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -4°C (26°F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | 1°C (33°F) | 39 mm (1.5 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 7°C (45°F) | 46 mm (1.8 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 14°C (57°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 17°C (63°F) | 77 mm (3 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 18°C (65°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 18°C (64°F) | 72 mm (2.8 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 13°C (56°F) | 65 mm (2.6 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 8°C (46°F) | 53 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | 2°C (36°F) | 57 mm (2.2 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -2°C (29°F) | 55 mm (2.2 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.