Which place is cheaper, Rovaniemi or Savonlinna?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.
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Should you visit Savonlinna or Rovaniemi?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Savonlinna or Rovaniemi? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Savonlinna or Rovaniemi?
Savonlinna
Savonlinna is a town and a municipality of 35,504 inhabitants in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa lake region. The Finnish name of the town means "Castle of Savonia" and the Swedish name means "New Castle". The city was founded in 1639, based on Olavinlinna castle. Savonlinna is a historical borderland where the cultures and traditions of East and West meet. As the oldest town in Eastern Finland, Savonlinna is famous for its world class opera festival in the medieval castle surrounded by blue waters of Lake Saimaa. With its 100 year old steamships and unparalleled selection of experiences and activities, Savonlinna is a the real gem of Lakeland Finland.
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 Budget Tours to Finland, The Best Tours for Seniors to Finland, The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Helsinki, and The Best 10-Day Tours from Helsinki.
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Savonlinna Prices
Finland PricesRovaniemi Prices
Finland Prices -
Average Daily Cost Per person, per daySavonlinna €124Rovaniemi €208
The average daily cost (per person) in Savonlinna is €124, while the average daily cost in Rovaniemi is €208. 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 Savonlinna and Rovaniemi in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personSavonlinna €53Rovaniemi €93
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomSavonlinna €106Rovaniemi €186
Compare Hotels in Savonlinna and Rovaniemi
Looking for a hotel in Savonlinna 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: Savonlinna Hotel Prices and Rovaniemi Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Savonlinna €39Rovaniemi €31
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
Is it cheaper to fly into Savonlinna or Rovaniemi?
Prices for flights to both Rovaniemi and Savonlinna 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 daySavonlinna €47Rovaniemi €82
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
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Savonlinna €20Rovaniemi €48
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
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one daySavonlinna €9.27Rovaniemi €21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Savonlinna and Rovaniemi, we can see that Rovaniemi is more expensive. And not only is Savonlinna much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Savonlinna would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Savonlinna 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 Savonlinna.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Savonlinna Expensive? and Is Rovaniemi Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Savonlinna or Rovaniemi?
Rovaniemi has a larger population, and is about 27% larger than the population of Savonlinna. When comparing the sizes of Savonlinna 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 Savonlinna 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 Savonlinna or Rovaniemi in the Summer?
Both Rovaniemi and Savonlinna are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities.
Savonlinna is around the same temperature as Rovaniemi in the summer. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around 15°C (60°F).
It's quite sunny in Rovaniemi. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Savonlinna. Savonlinna usually receives less sunshine than Rovaniemi during summer. Savonlinna gets 259 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 304 hours of full sun in the summer.
In July, Savonlinna usually receives more rain than Rovaniemi. Savonlinna gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Rovaniemi receives 50 mm (2 in) of rain each month for the summer.
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Summer Average Temperatures JulySavonlinna 17°C (62°F)Rovaniemi 15°C (60°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Rovaniemi in the Autumn?
Both Rovaniemi and Savonlinna during the autumn are popular places to visit.
It's quite cold in Rovaniemi in the autumn. The weather in Savonlinna can be very cold. In the autumn, Savonlinna is much warmer than Rovaniemi. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Savonlinna in October average around 4°C (40°F), and Rovaniemi averages at about 2°C (36°F).
In the autumn, Savonlinna often gets less sunshine than Rovaniemi. Savonlinna gets 72 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 82 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Rovaniemi. Savonlinna gets 64 mm (2.5 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 OctoberSavonlinna 4°C (40°F)Rovaniemi 2°C (36°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Rovaniemi in the Winter?
The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Savonlinna and Rovaniemi.
Be prepared for some very cold days in Rovaniemi. It's quite cold in Savonlinna in the winter. In January, Savonlinna is generally a little warmer than Rovaniemi. Daily temperatures in Savonlinna average around -11°C (13°F), and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -12°C (10°F).
Savonlinna usually receives more sunshine than Rovaniemi during winter. Savonlinna gets 34 hours of sunny skies, while Rovaniemi receives 19 hours of full sun in the winter.
In January, Savonlinna usually receives less rain than Rovaniemi. Savonlinna gets 40 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 JanuarySavonlinna -11°C (13°F)Rovaniemi -12°C (10°F)
Should I visit Savonlinna or Rovaniemi in the Spring?
The spring brings many poeple to Savonlinna as well as Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi can get quite cold in the spring. Be prepared for some very cold days in Savonlinna. Savonlinna is much warmer than Rovaniemi in the spring. The daily temperature in Savonlinna averages around 2°C (36°F) in April, and Rovaniemi fluctuates around -1°C (31°F).
In the spring, Savonlinna often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Rovaniemi. Savonlinna gets 180 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Rovaniemi receives 194 hours of full sun.
Savonlinna usually gets more rain in April than Rovaniemi. Savonlinna gets 32 mm (1.3 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 AprilSavonlinna 2°C (36°F)Rovaniemi -1°C (31°F)
Typical Weather for Rovaniemi and Savonlinna
| Savonlinna | Rovaniemi | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
| Jan | -11°C (13°F) | 40 mm (1.6 in) | -12°C (10°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
| Feb | -9°C (15°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) | -12°C (11°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) |
| Mar | -4°C (24°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | -7°C (19°F) | 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| Apr | 2°C (36°F) | 32 mm (1.3 in) | -1°C (31°F) | 29 mm (1.1 in) |
| May | 9°C (48°F) | 33 mm (1.3 in) | 6°C (43°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| Jun | 14°C (57°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 41 mm (1.6 in) |
| Jul | 17°C (62°F) | 56 mm (2.2 in) | 15°C (60°F) | 50 mm (2 in) |
| Aug | 15°C (59°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) | 13°C (56°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Sep | 10°C (49°F) | 73 mm (2.9 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) |
| Oct | 4°C (40°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 64 mm (2.5 in) |
| Nov | -1°C (30°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | -4°C (24°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) |
| Dec | -7°C (20°F) | 53 mm (2.1 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.