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

Should you visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw?

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 Warsaw. 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 Warsaw?

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.

Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital city of Poland. It has a population of 1.7 million, making it the country's largest city. Located on the Vistula River, it is a popular tourist destination for its interesting architecture and culture. The right bank of the river was the first area to become populated in the 9th or 10 century. Today, however, the city's central district is on the left bank of the river. The Old Town, where you will find many sights and attractions, is fully contained within the city center.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best 10-Day Tours in Poland, and The Best Sightseeing Tours in Poland.


Which place is cheaper, Warsaw or Rovaniemi?

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

The average daily cost (per person) in Rovaniemi is €208, while the average daily cost in Warsaw is €106. 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 Warsaw in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Rovaniemi 93
    Warsaw 48
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Rovaniemi 186
    Warsaw 96
Compare Hotels in Rovaniemi and Warsaw

Looking for a hotel in Rovaniemi or Warsaw? 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 Warsaw


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 Warsaw Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Rovaniemi 31
    Warsaw 4.34

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Rovaniemi

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Rovaniemi:

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

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Warsaw

Also for Warsaw, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Private transfer from Warsaw city center to Chopin Airport WAW: $24
  • Private Warsaw Railway Station One Way Transfer: $27
  • Bus Transfer to/from Vilnus: $28
  • Private transfer with pick-up from Chopin Airport WAW to Warsaw city center: $29
  • Private Transfer Warsaw Chopin Airport WAW to Warsaw City: $34
  • Private Transfer to/from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW): $35
  • Private transfer from Warsaw city center to Modlin Airport WMI: $40
  • Private Round-Trip transfer from Warszawa-Okecie airport to hotel in Warszawa: $45
  • Private transfer from Modlin Airport WMI to Warsaw city center: $48
  • Private transfer from Warsaw Chopin airport by social-distance car: $48
  • Warsaw Private Transfer from Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) to City centre: $48
  • Try find your better than us ! Airport transfer service in Warsaw APT-HTL (WAW): $48

Is it cheaper to fly into Rovaniemi or Warsaw?

Prices for flights to both Warsaw 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
    Warsaw 44

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

Typical Food Prices in Warsaw

Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Warsaw:


  • Dinner for Two
    12
  • Lunch for Two
    9.85

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Warsaw

For Warsaw, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:

  • Lunch or dinner at Hard Rock Cafe with Skip-the-Line: $33
  • Traditional Pierogi Dinner with Beer: $36
  • Polish Dumplings Cooking Class: $74
  • Warsaw's No 1 cooking class-Polish dumplings with liqueur tasting: $76
  • The Art of Pierogi Making - Warsaw cooking class dumplings: $86
  • Polish Food Tour: $92
  • Warsaw Traditional Food Tour with Adrian: $93
  • Half-Day Polish Food Walking Tour with Guide and Dinner: $94
  • Warsaw Food Tour with Local Guide: $113
  • 4-Hour Polish Food Tour: $115
  • Taste of Poland - Old Town food tour and guided walk in one: $115
  • Dinner Show at Sabat Theatre: $115

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Rovaniemi 48
    Warsaw 6.62

Tours and Activities in Rovaniemi

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

  • Arctic Polar Bear Adventure Afternoon Trip: $130
  • 3Km Husky Tour & Kennel Visit: Running with the Pack in Autumn : $156
  • 5km Husky Passenger Sled Ride Experience: $238
  • 7km Self Driven Husky Sled Adventure in Rovaniemi: $262
  • ATV and Ice Fishing Experience in Rovaniemi: $261
  • Adventurer's Snowmobile Tour 4h: $213
  • Apukka Husky Adventure in Rovaniemi: $249
  • Arctic Adventure through Magical Frozen Forests of Riisitunturi: $226
  • Arctic Animals Combo Safari, Reindeer and Husky Adventure: $213
  • Arctic Circle A Full Day Tour: $213
  • Arctic Ice Floating Experience in Rovaniemi: $155
  • Arctic Lakeside Fishing Experience - Rovaniemi: $94

Tours and Activities in Warsaw

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Warsaw.

  • Warsaw Old Town UNESCO HERITAGE walking tour in English: $5.49
  • Warsaw’s Muranów: Jewish Heritage Exploration Game and Tour: $5.96
  • Warsaw Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour: $6.68
  • Walking Audio Tour of Wilanów Palace Grounds: $7.99
  • Self Guided Legends and Uprisings Walking Tour of Warsaw: $8.09
  • Warsaw Exploration Private Game and City Tour on your Phone: $9.55
  • Warsaw Old Town Highlights Walking Tour | max. 15 people : $9.56
  • Old Town Guided Walking Tour: $9.89
  • Warsaw's Old Town A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Warsaw at War 1939-1945: A Self-guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • The Legacy of the Last King: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: $9.99
  • Ticket pass to the world of fairy tales and adventures : $11

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Rovaniemi 21
    Warsaw 9.84

Sample the Local Flavors in Warsaw

Some specific costs for nightlife related activities in Warsaw:

  • Pub Crawl with Optional 1-Hour Open Bar: $25
  • The Original Pub Crawl: $25
  • Warsaw Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $188
  • Warsaw Wine Tasting Private Tour with Wine Expert: $190


When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Rovaniemi and Warsaw, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Warsaw much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Warsaw would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Warsaw 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 Warsaw.

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


Which is Bigger, Rovaniemi or Warsaw?

Warsaw has a larger population, and is about 50 times larger than the population of Rovaniemi. When comparing the sizes of Rovaniemi and Warsaw, 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 Warsaw?

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 Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Rovaniemi as well as Warsaw. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Warsaw because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Rovaniemi is cooler than Warsaw. Typically, the summer temperatures in Rovaniemi in July average around 15°C (60°F), and Warsaw averages at about 19°C (65°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Warsaw. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Rovaniemi this time of the year. In the summer, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 304 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Warsaw receives 353 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets less rain in July than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 50 mm (2 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F) 
    Warsaw 19°C (65°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Autumn?

Both Warsaw and Rovaniemi are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Also, the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Warsaw this time of year.

The weather in Rovaniemi can be very cold. In October, Rovaniemi is generally much colder than Warsaw. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi average around 2°C (36°F), and Warsaw fluctuates around 9°C (49°F).

Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Warsaw during autumn. Rovaniemi gets 82 hours of sunny skies, while Warsaw receives 135 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Rovaniemi usually receives more rain than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 64 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 38 mm (1.5 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F) 
    Warsaw 9°C (49°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Winter?

Both Warsaw and Rovaniemi during the winter are popular places to visit. Also, many travelers come to Warsaw for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Warsaw. It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the winter. Rovaniemi is much colder than Warsaw in the winter. The daily temperature in Rovaniemi averages around -12°C (10°F) in January, and Warsaw fluctuates around -3°C (27°F).

In the winter, Rovaniemi often gets less sunshine than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 19 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Warsaw receives 35 hours of full sun.

Rovaniemi usually gets more rain in January than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 22 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F) 
    Warsaw -3°C (27°F)

Should I visit Rovaniemi or Warsaw in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Rovaniemi and Warsaw. Also, many visitors come to Warsaw in the spring for the activities around the city and the natural beauty.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. In the spring, Rovaniemi is much colder than Warsaw. Typically, the spring temperatures in Rovaniemi in April average around -1°C (31°F), and Warsaw averages at about 9°C (47°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Warsaw this time of the year. Rovaniemi usually receives less sunshine than Warsaw during spring. Rovaniemi gets 194 hours of sunny skies, while Warsaw receives 247 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Rovaniemi usually receives less rain than Warsaw. Rovaniemi gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Warsaw receives 32 mm (1.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F) 
    Warsaw 9°C (47°F)

Typical Weather for Warsaw and Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi Warsaw
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan -12°C (10°F) 44 mm (1.7 in) -3°C (27°F) 22 mm (0.9 in)
Feb -12°C (11°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) -1°C (30°F) 21 mm (0.8 in)
Mar -7°C (19°F) 35 mm (1.4 in) 3°C (37°F) 28 mm (1.1 in)
Apr -1°C (31°F) 29 mm (1.1 in) 9°C (47°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
May 6°C (43°F) 31 mm (1.2 in) 14°C (57°F) 59 mm (2.3 in)
Jun 13°C (55°F) 41 mm (1.6 in) 17°C (63°F) 72 mm (2.8 in)
Jul 15°C (60°F) 50 mm (2 in) 19°C (65°F) 67 mm (2.6 in)
Aug 13°C (56°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 18°C (65°F) 63 mm (2.5 in)
Sep 8°C (46°F) 63 mm (2.5 in) 14°C (58°F) 43 mm (1.7 in)
Oct 2°C (36°F) 64 mm (2.5 in) 9°C (49°F) 38 mm (1.5 in)
Nov -4°C (24°F) 58 mm (2.3 in) 4°C (39°F) 42 mm (1.7 in)
Dec -10°C (15°F) 42 mm (1.7 in) -0°C (31°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)