Lapland is in Northern Finland on the Arctic Circle and is the perfect place for a winter family adventure in the snow - and you may even see the Northern Lights. It's definitely a fingers crossed situation for the Northern Lights though whenever you go though as the weather is so unpredictable! For a family of three, a flight with no checked bags was costing 423, rising to 550 for a family of four (prices correct at the time of writing this post in August 2018). I knew Lapland holidays can be quite expensive but I didnt know it would be that match. Saariselk The most northern town in Finnish Lapland, this is a great spot for skiing and also for trying to spot the Northern Lights. Husky sledding:338/ $383,15 Thanks so much for the tips and look forward to reading your reviews. Our trip was in the high season ( December March) meaning prices are up. Lapland on a budget with kids (The most affordable way to visit Santa in Lapland), Lapland Cost Cost of our trip for accommodation and getting to Lapland, Visit Santa in Lapland Plan where you are going, Lapland excursions and things to do in Rovaniemi with kids, The cheapest way to get to Lapland from the UK, Visiting Lapland via a flight to Helsinki, Cost of visiting Santa in Lapland from the UK. Kittil This airport serves Ylls and Levi, with a journey time of 60 minutes and 15 minutes, respectively. Take a. There was no direct flight for us or other cheap flights to Lapland, so we had a transfer in Lisbon before travelling on to Helsinki. If you already have ski wear from previous family skiing holidays, then you are all set. There are several options when it comes to going to Finnish Lapland to visit Santa from the UK. Winter Safaris Longer husky and reindeer experiences or safaris are available but the costs of these can be quite high so shop around. If you had told me at the start of 2018 that we would have been preparing to visit Santa in Lapland in December of that year, Id have told you that you were dreaming. Had I wanted that: absolutely not. I remember reading Your post on EuroDisney which was equally impressive! How Much Does a Trip to Finland Cost? - Big World Small Pockets Check 2-bed AirBnBs Laura because many will sleep 6 with a sofa bed. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-5389429', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');car soon. Wow! Lapland holidays don't come cheap, but there are ways to keep the breaks . I dont know about you but that is not the sort of trip I could face with a young child. Did you manage to see the northern lights whilst there and if so, how? Finland sells alcohol through state-run Alko shops, which are the only place you can buy spirits, wine and beer over 5.5%. Then read our Lapland packing list tips! . The best place to get information about booking excursions for your family are the local tourist offices. They all wish they were going again and next time they would like more than 1 night, said it was over too fast. Cost of Living in Finland - 2023 prices. - Expatistan I divided the cost of the rental car and the gasoline by two because our friends Thomas and Christine were also with us. Lapland is on my bucket list, the youngest will be 5 and 7 next winter (2019) so think theyll be a great age to take. Thanks so much Tom, Im glad youve found it useful. Finland Travel Guide (Updated 2023) - Nomadic Matt's Travel Site You are all correct when you say it will be worth the money to see the children's faces. I do think your estimate is fairly right, at least much better then the one from tui. Most of them are in the capital area, but also the most expensive log house in Lapland included. The holiday village also has restaurants and cafes and is a few miles from Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, with direct flights from the UK starting from 118. Here's my budget breakdown for a four-night trip to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland, which shows the costs for accommodation, transport, activities and food to help you plan your own trip. If youre looking for a winter long weekend break that ticks all the boxes snow, Santa, saunas and sleigh rides included then a trip inside the Arctic Circle to Lapland is just what you need. Muotkatakka is the highest point on Finland's road network, at 565 meters (1,854 ft) above sea level. 231,80 per person per day in Finnish Lapland. We had thought it was a trip that wasnt doable due to the cost for such a short trip, but doing it this way makes it much more affordable and worth doing x, I would love to do this! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Great post! Ivalo This is the airport serving Saariselk which lies 25-minutes from the airport. You can sleep under the stars (and Northern Lights if youre lucky) in a glass-roofed igloo*, spend a day on the slopes atOunasvaara Ski Resort or take a private aurora hunting or husky tour. A 10-day trip no less! We are doing the same trip in December this year and we cannot wait. This is how we visited Santa in Lapland on a budget. Packing list: What is in my backpack and what is not? The good news is that many of the things that attract travelers to Finland in the first place are free or cost very little: From foraging walks to Northern Lights shows . Remember to consult the local tourist information board for help with specific excursion recommendations. January 2nd, 2022 Jenni 0 Comments Are you wondering how to get to Finnish Lapland on a budget? . Some cookies are functional and required to make this website work. I do know Santa doesnt give presents out before Christmas Day but well sneak one in for the Elves to give our son x. But how much does it cost to go to Lapland? Thanks for sharing! I plan a trip there and speaking about prices I wonder could it be a bit different today due to inflation if few years has passed by :), Hi Goda, Yes this trip happend before 2021, before covid (2019). They tell me that ive got a bargain if you compare cost in relation to those extra 3 nights. Santa trips to Lapland need not be the thing of dreams. Actually the prices HAVE already been dropped ,it is best to book a late holiday about 3-4 weeks before departure,when I booked last week they were flying off the shelves! We did a big shop at the large K-Citymarket superstore in Rovaniemi at the start of the week. I hope this will help you DIY Lapland and prove to you that Lapland holidays on a budget CAN be done and help you find the cheapest way to do Lapland. 1. Published Oct 21, 2021 This is the only guide you'll need to plan a trip to the very magical destination of Lapland, otherwise known as the real North Pole. Lapland is always on my bucket list but I want to combine Sweden and Finland together. Welcome to the official travel website for Finnish Lapland, the home of Santa Claus, the last wilderness in Europe, and part of the Smi homeland.Lapland is a destination above ordinary, full of contrasts and unique natural phenomena: Midnight Sun, Polar Nights, autumn colors, Northern Lights, and Arctic cites nestled among Ice Age fells. This post was first published in 2019 but prices have been updated where possible to costs as of January 2022. But Im not sure a family of four could do this trip with just cabin bags, considering you are bringing winter clothing. Lapland borders the region of North Ostrobothnia in the south. So, with that in mind, I thought it might be helpful to list out where you can visit Santa, whether you are going to Lapland with kids or not. Lapland holidays dont come cheap, but there are ways to keep the breaks more on budget. When youre travelling with a four-year-old, that is very, very tight. And be aware that the prices start to increase rapidly as availability declines. But I do think it is a good estimate!Kind regards and have fun! for us that are going as you can see from previous posts we are all sooo excited! There are also last-minute deals where you can fly to Finnish Lapland for as little as 160. Depending on how long you want to go for,try inghams.At the moment they have some cheap hols for a week.The prices have come down to 299 per person.Yesterday a friend of mine got a week for 968 for 2 adults and a child half board in yllas.She has paid another four hundred for the trips ,but still not a bad price for the week. Any help you need, just shout x. Youve now planted the seed in my mind that Lapland is actually doable. 12 Reasons to Visit Finnish Lapland in Winter | TravelGeekery Finland is by no means a shoestring destination, with the average solo traveler spending around 125 ($135) a day, or 875 ($930) a week, which is around 1,400 ($1,490) for a couple, not including the cost of getting to Finland. A trip to Santas snowy winter wonderland is a dream for kids big and small. Show more. If you have a budget of +/- 180per person per day, you should be more than fine (excluding flight tickets). Since we were not going to be spending any significant amount of time in our accommodation during the day, it seemed pointless to pay large sums for it. World's cleanest air However, there are ways that you can save money in this gorgeous Nordic nation, as well. EasyJet fly direct to Rovaniemi from Gatwick twice a week on a Wednesday and Sunday. If you'd like to meet them, a visit to a reindeer park or a reindeer ride are great options. Visit Rovaniemi is one of the best places to check excursions, prices and book Lapland activities and experiences. They are: Direct flights from the UK are the best way to arrive in Lapland but your choice is limited. Budget Finnish Lapland: costs and prices of a trip to (Finnish) Lapland? hi i booked a first choice 4 night hol in yllas. Thank you so much hun. My sister-in-law managed to visit Santa in Lapland on a budget a few years ago and she has been the inspiration for us, and many others, to finally be able to make this trip-of-a-lifetime in a more affordable way. So, the total cost of our flights was 693 (619). It is an incredibly beautiful destination with special activities. It sounds like you are going to have a magical trip #fearlessfamtrav, I think this is. The average travel expense can range anywhere from 3,500 to 7,500 , though it largely depends on your travel style. Activities, accommodation and alcohol are expensive. 10 of the best places to visit in Finland - Lonely Planet Hi these were all at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi you don't need to book in advance and can just turn up on the day. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. I had too until I saw you can DIY it and have a much better holiday for less! Daily spendings per person: 231,80/ $262,80. The Aurora Chasing that we did at Polar Creek was also a great experience, we only paid 65 per person for this. Ranua You will need to visit Santa in Rovaniemi (see above). Like all towns and cities, there are lots of accommodation choices in Lapland and where you stay is both a personal choice and dependant on budget. Learn how your comment data is processed. So, if you are booking online, dont book a ticket for your children (one child per full paying adult). Personally, I dont think there is one best resort in Lapland to see Santa in. A trip to Lapland would be magical and it sounds like you have made it very affordable. I would rather stay for longer and get better value for money. Are you thinking there is a catch? The earlier that you book flights the better, and we also recommend using our Cheap Flights Low Fare Finder to locate the best deals . #fearlessfamtrav, This is so magical! Still, there are ways to cut corners and stick to a reasonable budget in Finland. It is not cheap to fly to Lapland. Lapland | Visit Finland Check out prices and availability via SkyScanner. To find flights, availability and latest prices for flights to Rovaniemi (Lapland) or Helsinki, check out Skyscanner. PRIVACY POLICY 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, We've explained everything you need to know about a holiday to Lapland for Christmas, The best time to visit Lapland is between November and March, There are ski resorts and Santa hotels to choose from. But it may mean a 4am start to get on your computer, ready to nab the cheapest early flights. I looked into the cost of this for a family of three and the two quotes I got back for these Lapland packages were between 1797 and 2866*, depending on your departure airport and hotel accommodation. Drink cloudberry tea in a Kota. The best wineries of Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in South Africa! Ill saving and passing this link onto anyone I hear whos wants to go this year. Winter is actually the best time of year you could come to Lapland. It was a magical holiday with some of the most beautiful scenery Id ever seen, so was well worth it. Finland can be an expensive country to visit with an average cost of 85-320 per person per day. Tickets for 2022 have sold out but families can sign up to get any cancellations, or get tickets for 2023here. I think budget is such a worry with Lapland! Luosto Another ski resort where you can also visit an Amethyst Mine. To learn more about affiliate links, please read my Disclosure Policy. 50 Things to Do in Lapland Finland, Winter Bucket List Experiences There are also budget options here. Again, I booked an AirBnB in Helsinki within walking distance to the central train station where we would be arriving after Lapland. For 2023, TUI has some cheap deals with three-night stays from 767pp, while Inghams has breaks from 869pp. By booking everything yourself and doing your Lapland trip DIY style. We were staying in Helsinki for three nights, again in a one-bedroom apartment and this cost us 341. We travelled to Lapland from the UK, where there are direct flights from London Gatwick to Rovaniemi with easyJet, and indirect Finnair flights via Helsinki. So how much does it cost to go to Lapland? THE 10 BEST Lapland Points of Interest & Landmarks - Tripadvisor And budget plays a big part in it. The most expensive one was our four-hour Husky tour, with a price of 169 euros per person (including lunch). Lapland, Finland: The Ultimate Family Christmas Destination Only alcohol is a lot more expensive. Thanks again! That looks like such a fun trip! Cost of Living in Finland. Prices in Finland. Updated Jul 2023 - Numbeo Spendings in restaurants: 210/ $238 This accommodation is slightly more expensive, it costs 160 per night per couple. Sweden and Finland are more affordable, but still expensive compared with most European countries. Plus, tickets are valid for two consecutive days entry. Why is it so expensive to go to Lapland? The cheapest flights we found involved a 45-minute transfer on the way out and a one-hour transfer on the way back. There is also some Finland's war history present. Climb an ice wall by ax. It gets very, very cold in Lapland, and is normally between 0C and -20C, but can be as cold as -40C. December: Bali / South Africa, CONTACT Kuusamo The Finnish town of Ruka is served by this airport and is a short 10-minute journey from the airport. We visited Lapland in Finland and to be honest, many expenses and costs were not too bad at all! Located in Lapland, this church is Finland's best-preserved wooden church. However, as you will read later, this option was going to push our budget up, so we opted for another way to reach Lapland. A trip to Lapland is certainly not cheap. Flights from Faro to Helsinki (via Lisbon, with bags and extra legroom): 619, Overnight train return trip from Helsinki to Rovaniemi: 176, Total spend for flights, train, and accommodation: 1613. Lower budget? The 21 municipalities in the region cooperate in a Regional Council. Your average casual restaurant charges around 13 EUR for a meal while fast food (think McDonald's) is . Great report! Average price for 2 people per night : 122,50/ $138,85. Finland is marginally more expensive than Sweden for most travel-related expenses, including tours, accommodation and meals out. So Im sure you could easily still do it for just a bit more than what were paying. The city is entirely tourist-centric and everything is orientated to make a buck as opposed to the liveability of Helsinki and the rest of Finland. Complete the online application. Wow it is so expensive but such a once in a lifetime holiday. So I needed to get our flights early to get them as cheap as possible. Reindeer These wonderful fairytale creatures are quite literally everywhere in Lapland. This would be the same price for a family of four with two children sharing their parents berths. Most of the 200 000 reindeer of Finnish Lapland roam free in the never-ending wilderness. The costs of food were doable for Lapland in Finland. Ranua A small village an hour from Rovaniemi where youll find the zoo, and plenty of igloo accommodation. xx. We LOVE road trips 10 things to do on your road trip in Lapland, Finland 1) Start in Roveniemi No, Lapland is a region of northern Europe that is largely in the Arctic Circle and crosses over into Finland, Sweden and Russia's Kola Peninsula. Kate. The cold means it's hard to stay out for long too so we were happy to get by the fire in the evenings. No credit card needed. Plus you get so many extra days in Finland. Join us & open your senses to the world of Above Ordinary experiences. So, to make sure I could avail of the Saver Berth prices of 49 per adult each way, I rang the customer services line for the online shop (+358 800 166888), choosing option 3 for English, and spoke to a very nice lady who did the booking for me over the phone. #WanderlustKids, This is really useful research to share, thanks! Ive been here, this brought back some great memories! You will also be with a whole host of other families trying to jostle for a spot at the front of the queue to see Santa or trying to get the same Instagram-worthy photograph in the same limited time frame as you. Maybe is is to do with amount of (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Here we paid 85 per couple. The base cost of our flights was 524 (468, exchange rate at the time of writing this post). The cost of flights with a checked bag per person was 394.50 for a family of three (506 for a family of four). If you wanted to combine Rovaniemi and Helsinki, using the overnight train to get to and from Lapland, a family of three would cost approximately 1438 (1550 for a family of four), all with checked bags, 4 nights in Rovaniemi and 3 nights in Helsinki in mid-priced AirBnBs, and the return overnight train in a two-berth standard cabin, with children under 10 sharing the berth with their parents. There are a number of airlines flying from different airports within the UK to Helsinki, including British Airways and Finnair. Tips for visiting Finland 3) Is Finland expensive as a tourist? Lapland ( Finnish: Lappi [lpi]; Northern Sami: Lappi; Inari Sami: Lappi; Swedish: Lappland; Latin: Lapponia) is the largest and northernmost region of Finland. Thank you for your kind reply ;) Ill travelling to Rovaniemi on Dec so I just walk in to Santa Claus Village to book all this activities ? DIY Lapland holidays involve booking your flights and accommodation yourself helping you to save a pretty penny. Your grandson is going to be so chuffed!! Thats a lot of money, however, you wont stay many days in Lapland. I always thought a Santa trip was out of our budget but you make it sound so easy. Would love to take the boys to visit Santa we still have two years before my eldest turns 10. There are similar early starts from other airports too. The area that people visit to see Father.