Can you really go to Lapland on a budget?

Have you ever wanted to take your little ones to Lapland to visit Father Christmas but felt that it’s an impossibility due to package prices, some holiday companies costing 5k upwards for a family of 4 for 2 nights ( we know this as my brother in law did such a package).

Our aim is to always find a holiday or an adventure and to set ourselves a budget to work to. With 4 children we need to be savvy with costs, but without missing our on core memories and experiences. So with that being said, YES you can go to lapland on a budget and here is my guide on how to do just that.

Disclaimer- we haven’t actually been- yet! BUT its a goal for next year and I’ve been researching like crazy and here are my findings.

In our opinion It is absolutely possible to go for less than 5k, if you avoid costly package tours and plan independently. The biggest savings come from booking flights early, choosing self-catering accommodation, and prioritising free or lower-cost activities while being selective with pricier experiences like huskies and reindeer rides.

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Where is Lapland?

Lapland can be found in the northernmost part of Europe, the majority of Lapland lies within Finland, extending into Sweden, Norway, and Russia. Lapland is famous for being being the home of Father Christmas. Rovaniemi is known as the official hometown of Father Christmas and where you would fly into. 

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Flights

Budget airlines like easyjet and Ryanair now fly direct to Rovaniemi from Bristol, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, and London.

Cheapest months: November and early December before peak Christmas weeks, however early November is not guaranteed to snow.

Although it is open all year around so you could even consider a post Christmas visit to see the big man once he’s not as busy getting ready to deliver the presents, Jan and Feb offer some really affordable flights.

Prices vary, but outside school holidays you can often find return fares for £60–£120 pp. I have seen them for as low as £14.99 from per person per way, flying from Bristol with Ryanair at the end of Nov, but you can’t be choosy with your dates.

Use Sky scanner to plan the cheapest days to fly, they don’t always fly everyday so you may have to play around with dates, you could even consider flying in and out of different airports.

You might be able to use inset days to take a long weekend, if you do take them out of school for a day or two be aware of fines, before they are 5 years old you can legally take them out.

Book flights before accommodation, unless its a book now pay later, free cancellation.

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Where to stay

The most popular area for families visiting Lapland on a budget is Rovaniemi. It is easy to get around. There are shops and supermarkets for self catering options. The city is close to the airport, with easy access to Santa Claus village and Santa park via the Santa bus. 

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Transport

The Rovaniemi local bus number 8 operates year-round, with dedicated routes like the Santa Claus Bus and the Airport Express that connect the city centre and airport to Santa Claus Village. You can check schedules and buy tickets online through sites like www.santaclausbus.fi/en

 and www.airportbus.fi/en/ or the Matkahuolto website. 

Car hire is an option if travelling beyond the city; but its really not necessary as the bus is so easy and not expensive.

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Accommodation

Airbnb or VRBO is best for families, be sure to book as early as possible as prices will increase due to demand and sell out. I’ve found September to be a great time to look at flight prices and also accommodation.

A 2 bedroom apartment with a sauna in Rovaniemi Centre starts from around £190 per night.

Here’s an example of an apartment that I found for my family of 6

Self catering and cooking your own meals saves significantly, as eating out is expensive.

There are plenty of hotels, but its advisable to book early for the cheaper options and you can stay in Santas village, but again you will need deep pockets.

For special occasions you could look at staying one night in a glass igloo, especially if you’ve saved money in other areas. 

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Food and Drink

Stock up at Lidl for groceries and snacks.

Bring your own flask for Hot chocolate.

Take snacks with you to take for after snow fun

Bring marshmallows for toasting & skewers.

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‍Santa Claus Village

Santa Claus village is made up of lots of different attractions, some free, others you pay for.

Here you can visit Father Christmas for FREE, BUT get there early, grab a ticket for your time

slot, queue for approx 1 hour, there are additional costs if you want a digital photo

package is from €50

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Other activities

Sledging is FREE, look for Santa Claus Village (SCV) sleds in and around the village and playground.

Bring your own marshmallows/skewers from home to toast on fires all around the village.

Mrs Claus Christmas cottage can be found in the Reindeer Resort and is €5, it’s advisable to pre book visit

Mini snowmobile rides cost €25 per child for ages 4-12 years, lasts for 10 minutes

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‍Husky rides

This is something on many peoples bucket lists, but it is not cheap, our suggestion is to plan one thing that costs a little bit more as part of your budget and then try to resist the urge to blow your budget on lots oof other things, unless you can afford to of course.

You can meet and greet the Husky’s

30 min will cost you

30 €/adult, 25 €/child (4-12 years). 

An 8 minute 2 km Husky rides will cost you
80 €/ adult, 60 €/ child (4-12 years) plus a 30 minute Husky meet and greet.

A 5km Husky ride lasting 15 minutes will set you back
110€/adult, 85 €/child (4-12 years) except on 10.1.2025. – 10.2.2025 (high season) 120€/adult, 95€/child (4-12 years). After the ride you can spend time with the dogs at the kennels.

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‍Santas pets

This is a lovely and reasonably cheap activity to do with children, Visit Santa’s reindeer, alpacas and other animals. You can even feed them their favourite treats for €5.

You can pay extra for a hike with reindeer and alpacas.

Entrance fee 15€ /adult and 10€ /child (3-15 years). Tickets are valid all day! 

No pre-booking is needed for the visits. Tickets are purchased on arrival. 

Guests can also use the Lapland hut (kota) and campfire/barbecue. Buy snacks and drinks from the elf’s store. All this is included in the entrance fee.

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Reindeer rides

Another bucket list for many is a winter wonderland reindeer ride through the snowy countryside in a sleigh, snuggled up under blankets. If you can only pick one pricey thing on your trip then consider the distance covered verses the price you’ll pay. It may also be cheaper to find reindeer rides away from Santa's village, well look at these options later on.

‘Are you dreaming of an authentic reindeer sleigh ride in Rovaniemi? Look no further than the Forest Path Reindeer Sleigh Ride, a peaceful and picturesque experience located in the heart of Santa Claus Village, Lapland’s most magical destination. This scenic ride offers guests of all ages a chance to connect with nature and tradition in a truly unforgettable way.

Your journey begins at Santa Claus Reindeer, where you’ll meet our friendly and well-cared-for reindeer. Hop into a traditional sleigh for a 10–12 minute ride(approximately 800 meters) along a beautiful forest trail that winds through the snowy or seasonal surroundings of the Arctic Circle’.

The 400 metre ride is €25 adult and €20 for kids, a great option is great for young kids, or if you are on a tight budget.

Or if you want a longer experience try a 1000m ride for €40 adults and €30 kids

For the all singing all dancing, blow the budget option go for the 3km Adventure at €99 adults  and €75 kids.

If you want to book a tour away from Santas village there are many to choose from, here is one that we have been recommended. Pick up and drop off from Rovaniemi-

Snowman world

Tickets includes tube snow slides, an ice maze, ice skating, and an ice slide. Depending on your ticket you can grab a drink at the ice bar or enjoy a meal in the ice restaurant. Book tickets in advance, you can get tickets that are just for the park, or ones that include a meal at the ice restaurant.

Book tickets here, there are options for a 2 course lunch or 3 course dinner in the ice restaurant

Activities NOT in Santa claus Village include-

Santa Park

This is an underground cavern so great for getting away from the minus temperatures for a bit, especially if you have little ones. You can visit Father Christmas here, but there is an additional cost for a gift. Gingerbread decorating and an Elf show, plus lots more. 

The attractions of SantaPark include, A Christmas show, Meet Santa in his office, Mrs Gingerbreads bakery, Elf school, Elf workshop, Toy factory area, The post office, magic train and Artkikum museum. 

Prices

Adults from 13 years €44.52

Children 3-12 years €39.22

Infants under 3- Free

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Snow glow activity park‍

Enjoy the thrill of our Snow Slide Race down a slide for an adrenaline rush, or take your time for a more relaxed ride. It's fun for all ages! 

Climb inside giant, inflatable spheres and bounce and roll your way through the snow. It's an exhilarating experience you won't want to miss Zorb and Pumper Balls.

Included to the park entrance ticket price.

Build snowmen and ice skate ( December only)

Give your little thrill-seekers an unforgettable adventure on Mini Snowmobiles. These mini snowmobiles are designed for children aged 4 to 13. 

Basic entrance ticket includes 1 mini snowmobile ticket.

Please note that if you want ride more, there is a separate fee of 15€ per person for this experience.

Angry birds play park- Free playground in Rovaniemi

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Arktikum Science Centre and Museum 

Here you can explore the Arctic, in a museum and science centre all in one, with lots to see and do for families. Inside you’ll  discover Arctic animals, learn about the Sámi people, and see how climate change affects the North Pole. You’ll get amazing Views: Walk through a long glass tunnel with views of the Arctic landscape. If you're lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights!

Arktikum is not just a museum; it's an adventure! Come and explore the wonders of the Arctic in a fun and engaging way. Definitely worth a trip if you have time in your itinerary.

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Northern lights trip

Going to Lapland wouldn’t be worth the trip without trying to see the Northern lights, You could hire a car and download an aurora watch app. Or you can pay a guide to find the best place to see them.

Example of guided tour- 

Far away from light pollution, embrace the winter chill on this guided Aurora Borealis tour from Rovaniemi. Venture into the countryside after dark, stopping at various scenic spots based on the Aurora forecast. Enjoy a traditional Lappish barbecue and warm Glögi as you wait for the Northern Lights to make their spectacular appearance.

Tour Duration:

Approximately 3 hours, offering a focused and efficient Northern Lights experience.

Two Prime Locations:

Location 1: Lake for Sky Checking

Begin the tour at a serene lake where we first check the skies for aurora activity and enjoy the tranquil surroundings.

Location 2: Private Lake with Barbecue

Next, visit a secluded private lake where you can enjoy a warm barbecue while waiting for the lights to appear.

Disclaimer:

!!! The Northern Lights are a natural phenomenon, and the tour cannot guarantee that the aurora will appear. Additionally, the colors and intensity of the lights can vary from low to high.

!!! The default tour start time is 8:00 PM; however, please note that during the early and late season, the timing may vary slightly depending on conditions.

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