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

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Bologna?

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 Rovaniemi and Bologna. 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: Rovaniemi or Bologna?

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.

Bologna

Bologna is the capital city of the northern region of Italy, Emilia-Romagna, with a population of 380,000. It is a historical city known well by Italians, however, not as well known among foreigners. The locals of Bologna speak little to no English. The city is most known for having the oldest university in the West. Another reason many visit this city is because of its exquisite cuisine. Many Italians would consider it one of the most beautiful cities in the entire country because of its impeccably preserved historic centers. The best time to visit Bologna is usually between March and October, although bare in mind that July and August can get quite hot.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.


Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Rovaniemi?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

  • Rovaniemi Prices
    Finland Prices
    Bologna Prices
    Italy Prices
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    Rovaniemi 208
    Bologna 188

The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €208, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €188. 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 Rovaniemi and Bologna in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Bologna 87
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Bologna 174
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Bologna

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Bologna? 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 Rovaniemi


Hotels in Bologna


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 and Bologna Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Bologna 21

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:

  • Private Arrival Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport or Train Station: $71
  • Private Departure Transfer from Rovaniemi: $71
  • Private Transfer from Rovaniemi Airport RVN to Rovaniemi: $77
  • Ranua Arctic Zoo Transfer in Lapland: $79
  • Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi city centre to Rovaniemi airport: $95
  • Rovaniemi Private Transfer from Rovaniemi (RVN) Airport to City centre: $95
  • Private Transfer Between Rovaniemi Airport and City Centre: $102
  • Rovaniemi Northern Light Hunt with Campfire and BBQ with Transfer: $106
  • Private Transfer Rovaniemi - Levi: $117
  • VIP Private Transfer in Rovaniemi : $256

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Bologna

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:

  • Bologna Airport transfer: $54
  • Bologna Private Transfer from Bologna city centre to Bologna Airport: $65
  • Arrival Transfer Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City by Sedan: $67
  • Departure Transfer Bologna City to Bologna Airport BLQ by Van: $89
  • Bologna Airport Transfers : Bologna City to Bologna Airport BLQ in Business Car: $125
  • Arrival Private Transfers: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna City in Business Car: $125
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Bologna - Round-Trip Private Transfer: $131
  • Private Transfer from Bologna Airport to Bologna city: $131
  • Bologna Airport (BLQ) to Ravenna Cruise Port - Arrival Transfer : $159
  • Private Transfer from Bologna (BLQ) Airport to Sant'Agata Bolognese: $168
  • Airport Transfer: Bologna Airport BLQ to Bologna by Luxury Car: $196
  • Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer: $203

Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Bologna?

Prices for flights to both Bologna and Rovaniemi 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
    Rovaniemi 82
    Bologna 68

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Rovaniemi

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

  • Traditional Northern Light Dinner in the Lappish Hut: $105
  • Insider Guided Food Tour With 5 Tastings: $142
  • Lappish Cooking Master Class: $161
  • Traditional Lappish evening in the wilderness with dinner: $184
  • Dinner with Northern Light hunt in Rovaniemi : $226
  • Sauna, Jacuzzi, and 3 Course Dinner at Kota Restaurant Autumn: $231
  • Ice Sculpting and Dinner at Kota Restaurant : $246
  • Lapland Cooking Workshop: $262

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Bologna

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

  • Palermo cooking class: $30
  • Bologna Private Food Tour Eating around the Centre: $72
  • Pasta and Tiramisu Small Group Cooking Class with Wine: $82
  • Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide: $82
  • Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class: Ragu, Spritz & Mr. Gelato: $88
  • Dinner, Wine & Tastings Walking Tour: $89
  • Tagliatelle & Ragù Home Cooking Class with wine: $90
  • Dining experience at a local's home in Predappio with cooking demo: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Forlimpopoli with Show Cooking: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Lama Mocogno with Show Cooking: $101
  • Dining Experience at a local's Home in Castelnuovo Rangone with Show Cooking: $101
  • Bologna on the plate, Cooking Class with Alessia: $104

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Bologna 38

Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi

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

  • Autumn Aurora Tour in Rovaniemi with Local Guides: $90
  • Arctic Lakeside Fishing Experience - Rovaniemi: $94
  • Insider Summer Bird Watching Experience: $94
  • Insider Summer Berry and Mushroom picking experience: $94
  • Northern lights hunting photo tour with bbq; small groups: $101
  • Regular Bus Tour with Northern Lights hunt in Lapland: $105
  • Experience Finnish Flea Market Mystery Tour: $106
  • Vaattunkiköngäs Nature Trail Hiking Tour: $106
  • Ice Fishing Tour: $106
  • Wild Forest Berries and Mushrooms Picking Tour: $107
  • Arctic Wildlife Adventure Ranua Wildlife Park Trip: $113
  • Traditional Ice fishing experience in Lapland: $115

Typical Entertainment Prices in Bologna

Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:


  • Food Tour (for 2)
    31
  • Wine Tasting Tour (for 2)
    115
  • Hop-on-Hop-off Bus Tour (for 2)
    67
  • National Gallery Museum Bologna (for 2)
    12
  • Archaeology Museum of Bologna (for 2)
    12

Tours and Activities in Bologna

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

  • Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $5.72
  • Bologna Secrets Quest: Self-Guided Hidden Gems Adventure: $6.56
  • Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $8.99
  • A Self-Guided Audio Tour from Porta Galliera to Le Tre Frecce: $12
  • Bologna Audio Tour: Bologna Audio Tour Adventure: $15
  • Bologna Guided Tour of the Basilica Di San Luca: $18
  • Tower and Power, Virtual tour in Medieval Bologna: $22
  • Entrance ticket to the Lamborghini Museum in Bologna : $22
  • InfernoDante: experience 4 iconic songs in first person with Virtual Reality: $22
  • Lamborghini Museum Guided Tour and Entry Ticket: $27
  • Archiginnasio Small Group Guided Tour in Bologna: $27
  • Bologna : Small Group Guided Tour: $29

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Bologna 28

Sample the Local Flavors in Bologna

Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:

  • Bologna Pub Crawl to meet people: $19
  • Private wine tasting of Palazzo di Varignana: $21
  • Wine tasting on the hills of Bologna in Dozza: $36
  • Modena area: Lambrusco Wine Tasting Experience: $42
  • Parma Hills and Wine Tasting with Food Platter: $58
  • Montevecchio Isolani wine tasting experience: $60
  • Bologna Food & Wine tour with a local Chef: $75
  • Eating Bologna Food and Wine Tour: $112
  • Food and Wine Tasting Tour in Bologna with Local Guide : $129
  • Cook Fresh Pasta + Wine Tasting (Includes 4-Course Meal): $147
  • Bologna Exclusive Italian Wine Tasting in the centre: $155
  • Bologna Full Day Food Factory Tour and Wine Tasting: $238


When comparing the travel costs between Rovaniemi and Bologna, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

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


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 10 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Bologna, 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 Rovaniemi or Bologna?

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 Rovaniemi or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the summer for the family-friendly experiences.

Rovaniemi is much colder than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around 15°C (60°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

It's quite sunny in Bologna. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Rovaniemi. Rovaniemi usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during summer. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun in the summer.

In July, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Bologna. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain each month for the summer.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Bologna 24°C (75°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Rovaniemi during the autumn are popular places to visit. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months.

Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the autumn. In the autumn, Rovaniemi is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Rovaniemi in October average around 2°C (36°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

In the autumn, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun.

Bologna gets a good bit of rain this time of year. Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in October than Bologna. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Bologna 16°C (61°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Bologna. Also, the winter months attract visitors to Bologna because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

The weather in Bologna can be very cold. Rovaniemi can be very cold during winter. In January, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around -12°C (10°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during winter. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun in the winter.

In January, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Bologna. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain each month for the winter.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Bologna 2°C (36°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Bologna. Also, the natural beauty are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. Rovaniemi is much colder than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -1°C (31°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In the spring, Rovaniemi often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in April than Bologna. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Bologna 13°C (55°F)

Typical Weather for Bologna and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Bologna
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) 2°C (36°F) 75 mm (3 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 5°C (40°F) 71 mm (2.8 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 9°C (47°F) 76 mm (3 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 13°C (55°F) 79 mm (3.1 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 17°C (63°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 21°C (70°F) 44 mm (1.7 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 24°C (75°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 23°C (73°F) 60 mm (2.4 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 19°C (67°F) 89 mm (3.5 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 16°C (61°F) 123 mm (4.8 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 8°C (46°F) 124 mm (4.9 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) 7°C (45°F) 85 mm (3.3 in)