How To Plan An Itinerary For Your Lapland Holiday

and, Europe

Travelling to Lapland from Australia is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many – and while you’re already making the big trek to the other side of the world, why not make the most of it? Whether you’re keen to stop over in Asia or the UAE to break up the long-haul flight, or planning to explore more of Europe while you’re “in the area,” creating a clear itinerary will help you get the most from your trip.

This guide will walk you through how to plan an itinerary for your Lapland (and Europe) holiday, what to consider, how to avoid travel fatigue (yes, it’s a thing!) and how to build in memorable moments along the way.

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Step 1: Decide on Your Travel Style

Ask yourself this early:

• Do you want to see and do as much as possible?
• Or would you prefer to travel slower, soak in each destination and reduce the number of flights or transfers?

Neither option is wrong – but your answer will shape your itinerary. If you’re travelling with kids or prefer a more relaxed pace, slower travel might be for you. If you’re bursting with excitement and want to tick off as many dream destinations as possible, that’s totally valid too – just be mindful of burnout.

We always find that travelling with a “less is more” approach results in a more enjoyable holiday. Our Christmas trip to Lapland and Europe in 2022 was excellent… for the most part! Everything we organised ourselves was perfect. We planned a minimum of three nights in each place, which gave us at least two full days everywhere. In most cases, we aim for a three-night minimum – it’s definitely better for the kids, but also for us. The constant packing and unpacking, setting up and packing down at each accommodation is tiring. Ideally, we’ll spend a week in a place and just enjoy it.

Interestingly, the part that exhausted us the most was the tour we joined from Copenhagen to Helsinki, where we were moving every day or two. While we saw a lot, it didn’t leave much time to rest, breathe, or enjoy the places we were rushing through.

Also remember: travel days are often “dead” days. You’ll lose time getting to the airport, waiting for transfers, flying, and checking into your accommodation. It’s easy to underestimate how tiring this can be – so my advice is, don’t overpack your schedule!

Step 2: Choose Your Lapland Dates

Lapland is seasonal – what you experience depends on when you go:

• Winter (Dec–March): Snow, husky sledding, reindeer safari, northern lights, Santa Claus and all things winter wonderland.
• Autumn (Sept–Oct): Vibrant colours, quieter villages, reindeer roaming wild and peak northern lights season.
• Summer (June–Aug): Midnight sun, hiking, lakes and outdoor activities.

Start here, then work forwards and backwards to build the rest of your itinerary around it.

Step 3: Map Out Stopovers or Extended Routes

Since you’re flying across the world, a stopover can help break up the journey and allow you to see somewhere new. Many travellers from Australia stop in:

Popular Stopovers Between Australia and Europe

• Singapore – Excellent transport, food, shopping and family-friendly fun.
• Bangkok – Great for foodies, markets, temples and a lively culture.
• Kuala Lumpur – Easy, affordable and well connected.
• Hong Kong – Perfect for a couple of nights if you love city life.
• Doha (Qatar) – A luxurious stopover option with desert experiences.
• Dubai or Abu Dhabi (UAE) – Popular choices with glitzy hotels, beaches and big attractions.

We had 15 hours overnight in Bangkok on our way from Melbourne to Helsinki. It was perfect – it allowed us to fly during the day, then get a proper night’s sleep in a real bed. We arrived in Helsinki feeling rested and ready to explore, which really helped us beat the jetlag with the time-zone changes. Sometimes, a short stopover is all you need to feel human again after a long flight.

Tip: Some airlines (like Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines and Emirates) offer free or cheap stopover packages, so it’s worth looking into.

Step 4: Choose Additional European Destinations

Once you’re in Lapland or heading there, it’s easy to add on extra countries or cities. Here are some ideas:

Lapland + Europe Combos

• Helsinki – Most people will transit here; stay 1–2 nights to enjoy Finnish city life.
• Tallinn, Estonia – A beautiful medieval city just a 2-hour ferry ride from Helsinki.
• Stockholm, Sweden – Reachable by overnight ferry or a short flight.
• Oslo or Tromsø, Norway – Another great Northern Lights destination.
• Copenhagen, Denmark – Stylish and easy-going.
• Iceland – For glaciers, waterfalls and more snow-covered adventure.
• Paris, Rome, Amsterdam, or London – If you want to mix winter wonderland with big European icons.
• Austria or Switzerland – Snowy Alps and fairytale towns during winter.

Keep in mind: getting around Europe is relatively easy via budget flights, trains or buses – but always check travel times when planning your days.

Step 5: Count Your Travel Days

When sketching out your trip, mark out travel days so you don’t overestimate how much you can do. For example:

• A “travel day” from Rovaniemi to Rome will take most of the day, even if the flight is short.
• Overnight trains or flights might sound good in theory – but they can be tiring if stacked back-to-back. The Santa Claus Express might be an exception!

Build in buffer days every 4–5 days to catch your breath, relax or deal with unexpected changes.

Step 6: Book Your Flights Thoughtfully

Start by booking your main international return flights, then work on the middle parts of your trip. Consider:

• Multi-city flights (e.g., Melbourne to Singapore > Helsinki > Rome > Melbourne)
• Open-jaw tickets – fly into one city, home from another
• Booking flights with points if you’re savvy with Qantas or other frequent flyer programs

And once you start booking flights, buy travel insurance immediately – don’t wait! This covers you if something happens before your trip (like illness or delays), not just while you’re away.

Step 7: Make Room for Memories

While it’s tempting to pack your itinerary full of activities, leave some space for spontaneity:

• A long lunch in a snowy café
• Watching the Aurora dance without worrying about the next day’s early train
• Joining a local tour you stumble across

These are often the moments you remember the most.

Your Lapland & Europe Itinerary Planning Checklist

• Choose your travel style – fast or slow?
• Decide when and where in Lapland you want to go
• Add a stopover to break up the long journey
• Pick 1–3 extra European destinations to explore
• Mark travel days in your itinerary
• Book your international flights (multi-city/open-jaw if needed)
• Buy travel insurance as soon as you book
• Leave space for rest and spontaneous fun

Travelling from Australia to Lapland and Europe is a big journey – but with good planning, it becomes an unforgettable adventure. Your itinerary should reflect your priorities, your energy levels and your dream trip.

And remember – you don’t have to do it all at once.