How much does it cost for a family to travel to Finnish Lapland?

One of the most common questions families ask when planning a trip to Finnish Lapland is, “How much will it cost?” The truth is, this is a really difficult question to answer because every family travels differently. Finnish Lapland offers a variety of travel styles, budgets, and experiences, which makes it an incredible destination for families but also means costs can vary significantly. In this article I will explain the things you need to consider and which will determine how much it cost for a family to travel to Finnish Lapland.

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Why Is This Question So Hard to Answer?

The cost of a family trip to Finnish Lapland depends on several factors.

Travel Style

Every family has their own way of exploring the world. Some prefer the independence of a DIY trip, where they book everything themselves and create a customised itinerary – that’s what we did for Christmas in 2022. Others prefer the convenience of pre-packaged tours or work with travel agents to put together a stress-free experience. Each approach comes with different price tags:

• DIY trips can save money but require time and effort for research and planning – this is an article I wrote about how we booked our white Christmas in Lapland.
• Pre-packaged tours often include accommodation, activities, and meals, offering convenience but potentially higher costs.
• Travel agents can design bespoke trips, which may cost more but are tailored to your needs and preferences.

Lapland Budget

To be honest, I think this is one of the biggest factors that determines the overall cost. Families travel on a wide range of budgets, from luxury travellers to budget-conscious adventurers. Costs will depend on whether you’re staying in a glass igloo or a cosy log cabin, dining in restaurants or self-catering, and choosing premium experiences or free activities.

Here is the breakdown of our stay at Christmas in 2022:

• Rovaniemi – Airbnb in the centre of town, everywhere was walkable – supermarket, tour operators, the river, main square, public buses were minutes away – very convenient. We stayed six nights and it cost – $2,552.63 AUD.
• Ranua Wildlife Resort (Holiday Gulo Gulo) – two bedroom apartment, immediately across the road from the Wildlife Park, very comfortable accommodation, spacious, self catering, breakfast included, golden ticket (multiple entries to Park with purchase of one day). We stayed three nights and it cost – $1,608.65 AUD.
• Arctic Fox Igloo – located just out of Ranua township, a queen bed with two singles, breakfast included. We stayed one night and it cost – $1,247.37 AUD.
• Arctic Snow Hotel – located out of Rovaniemi, we stayed in the actual Snow Hotel in sub zero temperatures. We stayed one night and it cost – $1,043.00 AUD.

Dining out or self catering

The cost of groceries at the supermarket are comparable to those in Australia, perhaps a little more expensive. Eating out can be far more expensive and can present challenges if you have fussy eaters in your group. The way you eat will significantly impact the cost of your travel.

We ate in, self-catering for almost every meal. One night we ate out at Santa Claus Village and it cost close to $200 AUD for burgers and chips for the four of us. We packed sandwiches everyday we went out for lunch and put on our own Christmas spread of a food for lunch!

Trip Duration

The length of your stay plays a big role in determining costs. A three-day whirlwind trip to see the Northern Lights will cost less than a ten-day adventure packed with activities like husky sledding, snowmobiling, reindeer sleigh rides and visiting Santa’s Village.

Transport and location

The more you move around to different locations, the more it costs. If you are on a budget, consider staying in the one place and go somewhere you can access with a direct flight or train. In locations off the main tourist trail, such as Kemijarvi or Posio, you may find activities and accommodation are cheaper, however, you may need to hire a car.

Here is the breakdown of our stay at Christmas in 2022:

• Car hire from Rovaniemi city centre to Oulu Airport. We hired for 12 days and travelled from Rovaniemi to Ranua to Kivijarvi to Oulu. It cost us $2,231.54 AUD through Rental Cars.
• We used public transport in and around Rovaniemi.

Activities and Experiences

Lapland offers an array of unforgettable experiences and your choices will greatly influence your overall cost:

• Northern Lights tours
• Husky sledding or reindeer sleigh rides
• Snowmobiling adventures
• Staying in glass igloos or ice hotels
• Visiting Santa Claus in Rovaniemi

Here is the breakdown of our stay at Christmas in 2022:

• Ranua Wildlife Park – $125.00 AUD
• Snowman World – included in our stay at the Arctic Snow Hotel (inclusion also applies if you stay at their igloos)
• Kotatieva Winter Leisure Park – invited by business
• We booked a package with Wild About Lapland which included – Northern Lights tour, Husky Dog sledding, Reindeer Safari, Ice Fishing and Snowshoeing – $3,244.00 AUD. Wild About Lapland offer our readers a discount – you can find it here.
• Joulukka Santa’s Secret Cabin lunch group tour on Christmas Eve – $1,225.00 AUD
• Santa Park – sorry no record of cost – we didn’t pre-book, we just walked in on the day and bought tickets.
• Dinner at the Ice Hotel – $348.00 AUD
• Snowmobiling in Ranua – sorry, no firm record as we booked and paid upon arrival.

While some activities are included in package deals, others may come at an additional cost. Don’t forget that there are also free or low-cost ways to enjoy Lapland, such as sledding, building snowmen, or hiking in the snowy wilderness. We literally spent hours just playing in the snow. Note: we had an exceptional year with knee deep snow!

Tips for Managing Costs

1. Plan early: Booking flights and accommodation well in advance can help secure better rates.
2. Travel off-peak: Visiting outside the Christmas rush (e.g., late January to early March) can significantly reduce costs. Travelling in Autumn to Lapland was significantly cheaper.
3. Mix and match: Combine splurge-worthy experiences, like a night in a glass igloo, with more budget-friendly options, such as staying in a cabin for the rest of your trip and self-catering.
4. Self-cater: Grocery stores in Lapland are well-stocked, and cooking some meals can save money while allowing you to experience Finnish cuisine. We only ate out once in Rovaniemi and that was at Santa Claus Village. We even took packed lunches to SCV and Santa Park.
5. Research free activities: Enjoy Lapland’s natural beauty through free or low-cost activities like sledding, hiking, and catching the northern lights without a tour. We did this in the centre of Rovaniemi!
6. Accommodation: consider booking accommodation that offers a range of activities onsite and included in the price. Booking away from the centre of towns will increase your chances of being able to capture the northern lights without a tour. I stayed at the House of Northern Senses in Autumn and was blown away by all of the experiences guests can get when they stay there in winter. We will definitely consider going back there in winter one day to get an ‘all-in-one’ experience. There is a discount on our discounts page at the House of Northern Senses.

Read here how we made Lapland happen for us!

There’s no “one-size-fits-all” answer to how much a family trip to Finnish Lapland will cost. It all depends on your travel style, budget, and the experiences you prioritise. Whether you’re planning a luxurious winter wonderland escape or a budget-friendly Arctic adventure, Finnish Lapland has something magical to offer every family and as I always say, where there is a will there is a way.

If you need help getting started on planning your own Lapland adventure, don’t hesitate to reach out. I offer a Finnish Lapland Travel Coaching service. I do not book any aspects of your trip but I can help you get started, support you along the way, guide you, answer questions and give you the support that sometimes you need to take on a trip like this one!