Is Rovaniemi expensive to visit?
Rovaniemi is a small yet captivating destination that lures visitors with differing travel styles, spending levels, and budgetary preferences. Visitors can find a range of options for accommodation from high-end luxury hotels to mid-range places to budget-friendly hostels.
Rovaniemi can become quite costly if you let it, but there are ways to save money, such as looking for discounts and coupons.
On average, budget travelers spend $102 (€90) per day, mid-range travelers spend $237 (€208) per day, and luxury travelers spend around $488 (€429) per day. These costs are calculated from the expenses of previous travelers to Rovaniemi.
Within Europe, which is known to be an expensive region, Rovaniemi is a moderately priced destination compared to other places. The overall cost of travel here is fair for the region and comparable to Tarifa or Windsor.
For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is Rovaniemi Expensive?
How much money do I need for a trip to Rovaniemi?
The average Rovaniemi trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these Rovaniemi travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers. Also, you can see more details at How much does a trip to Rovaniemi cost?
Realistic Expectations for Your Travel Budget
Having realistic expectations about your travel budget in Rovaniemi is important. While you might think you can save money by cutting expenses, traveling comfortably requires a bit more spending for most people. Think about your favorite vacation activities and ideal travel style. Staying in a resort or comfortable hotel, along with sightseeing and dining out are generally what many people prefer. Your travel preferences will determine how much you'll end up spending on your trip.
What Defines a Budget Traveler?
You may believe you're traveling on a budget, but unless you're ready to give up some conveniences, you'll likely spend much more than the $102 daily average that backpackers get away with.
Younger budget travelers often stick to this low budget by staying in dorms, eating inexpensive meals, taking public transportation, and focusing on free activities and sights.
Thankfully, Rovaniemi is filled with plenty of hostels, such as Hostel Cafe Koti, Wherever Mini Hostel, and Hostel Ibedcity. Staying in these hostels means you can enjoy low-cost dorm accommodation and a fun social atmosphere, although amenities may be basic.
So, are you average?
If you're a couple or a family traveling for fun, you'll likely want to stay in a mid-range hotel, eat at popular restaurants, and visit the major museums and attractions which have entry fees. Many visitors to Rovaniemi are keen to visit the prominent attractions, museums, sights, and landmarks. Most activities cost money, after all. Therefore, it's realistic to expect your actual daily budget to be closer to $237 per person, per day.
The range of hotels and vacation rentals in Rovaniemi is impressive. If you're traveling with others, sharing your hotel with a partner, friend, or kids allows you to split the costs and save money. Families will want to find hotels and restaurants that accommodate children. Arctic Light Hotel is a solid choice for families, while Santa Claus Holiday Village also offers great options. Make your stay in Rovaniemi special by choosing Arctic Light Hotel, a great spot for couples. For additional family and couple-friendly hotels, refer to our hotel guide for Rovaniemi here.
Seeking a Stylish Getaway from the Daily Routine?
If a complete vacation with all amenities and a higher level of service is what you want, expect to allocate around $488 per day. To stay in nicer hotels, dine at award-winning establishments, treat yourself to extravagant excursions, and hire taxis or private drivers to navigate the destination, a luxury budget will be necessary. Many luxury travelers also enjoy unique experiences such as Private Traditional Lakeside Sauna with Midnight Sun - offered by Viator.
Accommodation Budget in Rovaniemi
In Rovaniemi, hotel prices can swing drastically. Higher-end hotels offer more luxury, but come at a cost, especially in peak season when prices are higher. Off-season prices are more reasonable, averaging $150, but during peak season they jump to an average of $280. You can find budget options starting at $73 up to luxury rates at $763. Hostels are typically cheaper, especially dorms. Book early and avoid peak season to save money.
Calculated from travelers like you
The average price paid in Rovaniemi for two people for a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $210 (€187). For one person sharing a room, the average price paid for a hotel room is $105 (€93) per night. These costs are from the reported spending of actual travelers.
Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.
The most affordable highest rated hotels in Rovaniemi include:
- Arctic Light Hotel starting at $150
- Arctic TreeHouse Hotel starting at $234
- Santa's Hotel Santa Claus starting at $127
- Arctic City Hotel starting at $127
- Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi starting at $120
If you plan your trip for the shoulder or low season and avoid , you'll enjoy reduced accommodation costs and fewer tourists.
Transportation Budget in Rovaniemi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
On average, past travelers have spent $35 (€31) per person, per day, on local transportation in Rovaniemi. The cost of a taxi ride or rideshare service (Uber/Lyft) in Rovaniemi is significantly more than public transportation.
-
Transportation1
Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
$35
€31
From outside the country, Rovaniemi is easiest to get to by plane via Helsinki. Inside Finland, Rovaniemi can be reached by plane, train, coach or car. In the winter - the Christmas season in particular - charter flights with hotel packages are offered from many countries. Rovaniemi is easy to reach by rail from many Finnish towns, with several trains running to and from Helsinki every day. Trains run year round, despite harsh weather at times. The bus services cover a great deal of Finland's road network. They're not only an option for reaching Rovaniemi from the south, but also the only means of public transport that connect the town with the northern parts of Lapland. Rovaniemi is easy to get to by car from all directions. If you plan on travelling around Lapland by car, be sure to allocate enough time for the long distances and changing weather conditions, particularly in the winter. Rovaniemi is a relatively small town with short distances. In the city center, everything is close to everything else and walking is the way to get around. For getting out of town there is a good bus system as well as taxi services.
If you're driving, it's essential to check if your hotel offers convenient parking.
Some of the standard transportation options and hotel transfers include:
- Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre for $91 details
- Private Transfer in Rovaniemi City by Minivan for $63 details
- Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi for $68 details
How much does it cost to go to Rovaniemi? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.
The price of renting a car in Rovaniemi will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.
Food Budget in Rovaniemi
Tasting the local cuisine is a key reason for travel, so be sure to sample the unique dishes offered in the area.
Calculated from travelers like you
-
While restaurant and meal prices in Rovaniemi can vary significantly, the average cost of food in Rovaniemi is $92 (€82) per day, per person, based on the spending habits of previous travelers.
-
Food2
Meals for one day
$92
€82
When dining out, the average daily cost for food in Rovaniemi is around $93 (€82) per person, with previous travelers spending from $39 to $195. Generally, breakfast and lunch cost less than dinner, but this will depend on the type of restaurant and what you order.
Typical meal prices in Rovaniemi are as follows:
- Breakfast: $9 to $28
- Lunch: $14 to $37
- Dinner: $28 to $65
- Coffee: $7
- Fast Food or Street Food: $14
Traditional Lappish food tastes delicious both in fine dining restaurants and by a campfire out in the wilderness. Rovaniemi has many great options for local culinary excursions, here are just a few to give you some ideas. Arctic Snow Hotel Ice Restaurant: As a venue, the Ice Restaurant itself is a unique experience. The delicious meals are prepared from local ingredients. Dinner in Ice Restaurant is a lifetime experience you will never forget. The Arctic Boulevard: serves only fresh, locally sourced ingredients, so the menu changes by season. The restaurant offers different dining areas which can easily be arranged to accommodate various kinds of events. You can choose from 3 different atmospheres: Arctic Boulevard, Arctic Winter garden and Chef's table. The Christmas House Restaurant and Coffee Bar: located in Santa's village, it is a popular luncheon restaurant and a pleasant cafeteria and evening venue for the whole family.
Numerous hotels provide breakfast as part of your stay, although others may charge you extra for it. The price and quality can vary from hotel to hotel. Being informed ahead of time can assist you in determining if you need to budget extra funds. The hotel buffet might be worth your money, or perhaps a cheaper option at a nearby bakery or cafe would suffice.
Take a water bottle along instead of purchasing drinks constantly. This is also an eco-conscious choice.
Be sure to check which meals are part of your tour before you go. You might be responsible for some of your own food costs, which could stretch your budget further.
Taking a food tour or cooking class is a great way to experience the culture in Rovaniemi. After all, cuisine is one of the reasons why so many people visit. A few of the best culinary activities here include:
- Private tour: Lappish evening (sauna, jacuzzi and dinner) for $188 details
- Lapland Cooking Workshop for $251 details
Sightseeing and Activities Budget in Rovaniemi
Calculated from travelers like you
-
Sightseeing activities, entertainment, and entrance tickets in Rovaniemi typically cost an average of $54 (€48) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.
-
Entertainment1
Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
$54
€48
The Rovaniemi church is a popular sight in the city. It was completed in 1950 and was designed by the architect Bertil Liljequist. The interior of the church is dominated by a huge fresco behind the altar. It's called the Source of Life and it was realized by Professor Lennart Segerstråle in 1951. The church seats 850 people and it features a 45-key organ from the Christensen Organ Factory.
One of Finland's most magnificent waterfalls in peaceful Taiga forest an hour from Rovaniemi. The drive along the beautiful River Kemijoki takes less than an hour to the magnificent Auttikongas day-trip destination. The Auttikongas nature trail runs across one of Finland's most spectacular waterfalls, through peaceful old-growth forest to a hilltop with views over Taiga forests. Auttikongas is enjoyable all year. In winter, go snowshoeing, in summer, enjoy a break in a cozy cottage cafe. Rovaniemi tourism operators rent snowshoes. In autumn, admire glowing autumn foliage from the observation tower and in spring, enjoy birdsong. Auttikongas even presents old-time log floating culture: an old flume still remains by the waterfall and the building next to the cottage cafe houses a small-scale exhibition about log floating.
Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, located in Pyha-Luosto national park, is a fascinating travel destination all year round. The amethyst of Lampivaara fell was born 2,000 million years ago in the bowels of the ancient mountains. There is now a gem mine on the top of the hill that will sustain for hundreds of years. Guided mine tour include the stories of geology, history and nature. Also you will hear about the properties of the gems and the uses of amethyst. There are positive beliefs and fascinating stories about amethyst in many cultures. Leonardo da Vinci always had an amethyst stone on his working desk. He believed that Amethyst chased away evil thoughts and sped up thinking.
Meet Santa! You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Especially popular if travelling with children, Santa Claus Office is the official place to meet Santa in the Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle. Santa receives guests in his chamber every day of the year. Naturally you can meet Santa in person, but you will only catch a glimpse of the elves, if you look carefully. The magic of the Arctic Circle makes children particularly observant. Santa Claus Office is the only place on the planet where people can see who Santa Claus really is. On the trail you follow to meet Santa, you will experience tales, secrets and objects that tell about Santa's work, hobbies and way of life. A fascinating place somewhere between fairytale and reality beckons you to experience its wonder. Open every day of the year. To continue the adventure, visit Santapark, an underground Santa-themed amusement park reachable by a short walk from the Santa Claus village.
Explore the local culture at the culture house. The core of Korundi House of Culture comprises two nationally significant and internationally interesting art institutions: the Chamber Orchestra of Lapland and the Rovaniemi Art Museum. The Rovaniemi Art museum's collection represents Finnish modern art from 1940 onwards. The Rovaniemi Art Museum also exhibits international pieces of work, and introduces the public to different areas of fine art. Korundi's concert hall is a high-classic music hall with 340 seats. The concert hall is a multi-purpose hall, where you can arrange various events from concerts to conferences.
For something a little different try the Adventure Park. Arctic Adventure Park Huima is located in Ounasvaara and it has ten different courses of varying difficulty, up to seven meters above ground. In these courses adventurers move between living trees using ropes, beams, bridges and nets that are spanned from tree to tree. It is also possible to rent fatbikes and pedal cars from the adventure park or play mini-golf, drive around the pedal car park Vauhti or test your skills at Pump Track.
A nice way to explore destinations in Rovaniemi is with local tours that last just a few hours. This way you can see as much as possible in an efficient way with knowledgable guides. Prices vary by the type of activity or tour, the dates, and the size of the group. Here are a few of the highest rated tours by previous visitors:
- Guided Daytime Ski Adventure: Explore Private Trails by Rovaniemi for $148 details
- Snowmobile Tour with Small Group in Remote Wilderness 3 Hours for $181 details
- Private Electric Fat Bike Winter Tour in Rovaniemi for $142 details
Rovaniemi, Finland
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.