The Ultimate 14-Night Finland Itinerary for Australians (Helsinki, Rovaniemi & Saariselkä)
| Trip length: This itinerary runs two weeks. If you have less time, you can reduce Helsinki to 2 nights, focusing the bulk of your time in Finnish Lapland. |
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Page Contents
Lapland itinerary
| Destination | Nights | Highlights |
| Helsinki, Finland | 3 nights | Christmas market, day trip to Tallinn, Market Hall, Suomenlinna Islands |
| Overnight train | 1 night | Santa Claus Express: Helsinki to Rovaniemi |
| Rovaniemi, Lapland | 5 nights | Santa Claus Village, SantaPark, husky and reindeer rides |
| Saariselkä, Lapland | 5 nights | Northern lights, glass igloo, NLV, aurora experiences |
| Money-saving tip: Book your international flights to Helsinki on Qantas Frequent Flyer points using the Finnair partnership. The Melbourne – Bangkok – Helsinki routing opens up business class redemptions on the long-haul sector at significantly fewer points than flying Qantas metal. Search availability at qantas.com/Classic Rewards. |
Stop 1: Helsinki, Finland – 3 nights
Helsinki is the perfect introduction to Finnish culture before heading north into Arctic Lapland. Three nights here gives you time to decompress, explore at a relaxed pace and – critically – ensure your luggage arrives before you’re deep in the wilderness and need every layer you packed.
Where to stay in Helsinki
Search Helsinki hotels on Booking.com – Helsinki hotels. Look for hotels near Helsinki Central Station for the easiest access to the overnight train north.
| Luggage safety tip: Flying to Lapland from Australia means your bags pass through multiple connections. Spending 3 nights in Helsinki means that if your luggage is delayed, it can be forwarded to your Helsinki hotel – rather than chasing it when you’re already at a remote Arctic resort. |
Things to do in Helsinki
- Helsinki Christmas Market
- Day trip to Tallinn, Estonia – just a 2-hour ferry from Helsinki. Book your ferry and guided tour in advance.
- Helsinki Market Hall (Vanha Kauppahalli)
- Explore the harbour and waterfront
- Temppeliaukio Church (Rock Church)
- Helsinki Cathedral and Senate Square
| Money-saving tip: Helsinki is walkable and well-served by tram – buy a day or multi-day HSL travel card rather than paying per ride. The city card also includes free museum entry and is worth it if you plan to see multiple sights. |
Stop 2: Santa Claus Express – overnight train to Rovaniemi (1 night)
The Santa Claus Express is the overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and it is one of the most exciting parts of a Lapland Christmas trip. Departing in the evening and arriving in Rovaniemi the next morning, the journey builds the anticipation perfectly – especially for children who know that Santa’s hometown is waiting at the other end.
Book the Santa Claus Express on VR Finnish Railways. Sleeper compartments and family cabins sell out quickly over Christmas – book as early as possible, sometimes months in advance.
| Train tip: Taking the overnight train rather than flying to Rovaniemi removes the risk of winter flight delays and cancellations, which are very common on Finnish domestic routes during December and January. It also means you arrive with all your luggage guaranteed. |
| Money-saving tip: A family sleeper cabin on the overnight train typically works out cheaper than four economy flights from Helsinki to Rovaniemi and saves you a hotel night. Book early for the best cabin prices. |
Stop 3: Rovaniemi – 5 nights
Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and the capital of Finnish Lapland. Sitting right on the Arctic Circle, it is the base for most families visiting Lapland at Christmas – and for good reason. The town has world-class Christmas experiences, a good range of accommodation and restaurants and is well set up for visitors.
Where to stay in Rovaniemi
Search Rovaniemi accommodation on Booking.com – Rovaniemi hotels. Staying in town (close to the main street Koskikatu) gives the best access to restaurants, activities and transfers.
| Accommodation tip: Rovaniemi town centre hotels are the most practical base – you have restaurants, supermarkets and easy access to shuttle services all within walking distance. Unique wilderness cabins outside town are more romantic but require your own transport or paid transfers. |
Top things to do in Rovaniemi, Lapland
Santa Claus Village
Santa Claus Village sits exactly on the Arctic Circle and is the world’s most famous Christmas destination. A full day here is easily filled with activities, and it is worth booking in advance.
- Meet Mrs Claus
- 800m reindeer sleigh ride
- Santa’s pets and animal farm
- Kids’ snowmobile ride
- Snowman World
- Elf Hat Academy
- Elf Training Centre
- Husky sledding
SantaPark Arctic World
SantaPark is a Christmas theme park built inside a cave in a hill outside Rovaniemi. It is a wonderful indoor option – perfect for Christmas Day itself after spending Christmas Eve outdoors.
Kotatieva Resort
For a more authentic, farm-based reindeer experience away from the commercial village atmosphere, Kotatieva is outstanding. It feels genuinely Finnish and you’ll enjoy a more personal experience.
| Planning tip: Kotatieva has shorter opening hours than the main village attractions. If arriving in Rovaniemi on the overnight train, heading to Kotatieva first thing works well – go straight from the station before checking in. Choose either Kotatieva OR Lapland Winter Park, not both – the experiences can overlap. |
Lapland Winter Park
A great family-friendly activity hub with a highly rated buffet lunch, outdoor activities and a relaxed atmosphere. A good option when you want a half-day activity with food included.
Book Lapland Winter Park activities on Get Your Guide – Lapland Winter Park.
Getting around Rovaniemi
- Uber and Bolt
- Free shuttle buses
| App tip: Download Bolt only after landing in Finland to receive the first three rides free. This discount is applied to new accounts that download in-country. |
| Money-saving tip: Rovaniemi supermarkets (K-Market, S-Market) stock everything you need for self-catering breakfasts and snacks. Buying breakfast supplies cuts costs significantly when staying somewhere with a kitchenette. The free hotel buffet breakfasts are worth seeking out when booking accommodation. |
Stop 4: Saariselkä – 5 nights
Saariselkä is a small fell village in northern Lapland, around 2.5 hours north of Rovaniemi by bus. It sits inside Urho Kekkonen National Park – one of the largest wilderness areas in Europe – and is one of the best places in Finland to see the northern lights. For travellers wanting a more immersive Arctic wilderness experience, Saariselkä is exceptional.
Travel from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä by OnniBus or Eskelisen Lapin Linjat coach. Book in advance over Christmas as coaches fill quickly.
| Northern lights tip: Saariselkä’s dark, remote location makes it one of the best northern lights viewing spots in all of Lapland. The aurora season runs from September to March, with peak activity around the equinoxes. Clear nights with no cloud cover are essential – keep an eye on the weather and aurora apps. For more information on catching the aurora borealis, you can buy this Aurora Hunting Guidebook. |
Accommodation options in Saariselkä
Staying across two or three different properties during your week in Saariselkä is a fantastic way to experience different styles of Arctic accommodation without needing to change location entirely.
Glass igloo stay – Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort
A glass igloo stay in Lapland is one of the most iconic travel experiences in the world – lying in bed watching the northern lights dance overhead through your own private glass ceiling. Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort is the original and most famous glass igloo resort in Finland.
Book Kakslauttanen on Booking.com – Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort.
| Stay tip: One or two nights is the ideal length for a glass igloo stay. For a longer time on the property, the log cabins offer far more space and comfort and are an excellent Lapland family accommodation option. |
Note: at extreme temperatures (around -35°C), some onsite activities may be cancelled. If specific activities are non-negotiable, book them at Northern Lights Village where cancellations are less common.
Northern Lights Village (NLV)
Northern Lights Village is widely considered one of the best family-friendly resorts in Finnish Lapland. The Aurora Cabins have glass roofs for northern lights viewing from bed, the central lodge is warm and welcoming for casual meals at any time, and the resort is within walking distance of Saariselkä village. Activities run even in the coldest conditions.
Book Northern Lights Village on Booking.com – Northern Lights Village.
| Best for: Families with young children. Spacious cabins with plenty of room, open outdoor space for kids, easy access to town, and a warm communal lodge for meals without needing to book or travel. |
Aurora Collection Resort
A luxury Arctic resort in Saariselkä offering stunning suites with private saunas and a free shuttle service within the local area. Beautiful for a special night or two – particularly over New Year.
Book Aurora Collection on Booking.com – Aurora Collection Saariselkä.
Top activities in Saariselkä
Husky sledding in Lapland
Mushing your own team of huskies through a silent snow-covered forest is one of the most extraordinary experiences Finnish Lapland has to offer. It is fast, exhilarating and deeply memorable. Book this activity last in your trip so it ends on the highest possible note.
Book husky sledding in Saariselkä on Get Your Guide – Saariselkä husky safaris.
Reindeer safari
A guided reindeer sleigh ride through the Lapland wilderness is peaceful, beautiful and deeply Finnish. Do this activity early in your Saariselkä stay – it is slow and calming, a perfect contrast to the faster activities later.
Book reindeer safaris in Saariselkä on Get Your Guide – Saariselkä reindeer.
Snowmobile safari
Snowmobiling through the Arctic wilderness is thrilling and accessible for a wide range of fitness levels. Adults can drive their own snowmobile (driving licence required); children can ride as passengers or, in some cases, on child-sized snowmobiles with supervision.
Book snowmobile safaris in Saariselkä on Get Your Guide – Saariselkä snowmobile.
Search for Santa experience
A private, personalised Santa meeting in the Lapland wilderness is a transformative experience for children. Fill in the pre-visit survey thoroughly – include friends’ names, things your child cares about, any achievements they are proud of – and Santa will reference all of it during the meeting. The more detail you provide, the more magical it becomes.
Book a Search for Santa experience via Northern Lights Village activity booking or your resort’s activity desk.
Finnish sauna and spa experience
No Lapland trip is complete without a proper Finnish sauna. Many resorts offer sauna packages with access to outdoor ice pools or lakeside settings. An evening sauna followed by rolling in the snow (or dipping in a frozen lake) is a quintessentially Finnish experience.
Book sauna experiences via Get Your Guide – Sauna World Saariselka.
Northern lights tours
While northern lights viewing is possible from your cabin window, joining a guided northern lights tour takes you further from artificial light and into the wilderness – dramatically increasing your chances of a sighting.
Book northern lights tours on Get Your Guide – northern lights Lapland Finland.
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Erin Parker is a Finnish Lapland specialist, women’s adventure host and founder of Lapland Lowdown & Travel Her Way. She has travelled six continents and brings first-hand experience to every destination she writes about – from the Arctic wilderness of Finnish Lapland to the high Andes of Peru. Based in Melbourne, Australia, Erin helps long-haul travellers plan extraordinary Finnish Lapland adventures and leads small group trips for women who are ready to explore the world boldly.
