Do you want to experience the trip of a lifetime through Finland’s magical Winter Wonderland? Go on incredible adventures like husky safaris, northern lights excursions, or simply jump into a frozen sea?
We did all of this and more when we spent over 10 days in December and January in Finland and Lapland during the peak of their winter! It was absolutely mind-blowing, and of course, we want to share our experience and itinerary with you through this post.
Woohoo! Northern Lights – Ivalo, Finland
My wife meticulously researched and curated this 10-day winter itinerary for Finland that took us through some of the most gorgeous landscapes and unique adventures.
Finland & Lapland Winter Itinerary
Our itinerary takes you from the south of Finland, all the way up to the very north. It not only covers some of the more popular tourist destinations but also places that are off the beaten track.
Our Finland Winter Itinerary covers the best Finland & Lapland have to offer in the winter
Our focus was to spend more time in Lapland to see the northern lights and take part in many unique, outdoor activities. Just check out our awesome highlights video below.
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So, let’s start with our itinerary in the Finnish capital.
Day 1: Arrive in Helsinki
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- Helsinki looking beautiful on Christmas eve
Helsinki is both the start and endpoint of this 10-day itinerary through Finland and Lapland.
The Finnish capital offers plenty to do, relax, and explore. It’s a grand city that is easy to get around on foot or by tram.
Things to do in Helsinki
There are ample attractions in Helsinki to cover.
Here are a few to give you an idea.
- The Helsinki Cathedral, and Senate Square
- The Uspenski Cathedral
- Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
- Discover Market Square
For more inspiration, check out our top 10 things to do in Helsinki.
And if you happen to be visiting Helsinki during Christmas, we have a different itinerary chalked up for you in this post.
The other walls of the Suomenlinna Sea Fortress
To get a glimpse into the city, check out our Helsinki photo gallery.
Helsinki Hotel Recommendations
As with most cities, it’s a good idea to stay somewhere central. However, that could mean expensive properties. Luckily, we stayed at Hotel Indigo which was not just centrally located, but also very reasonably priced.
<US $100
Dorm style, or private rooms with shared bathrooms.
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- The Helsinki Cathedral at night
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- A moody shot of Stockmann, Helsinki
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- When the lights come on at the Uspenski Cathedral
Recommended Restaurants in Helsinki
Here are some of the amazing restaurants that we ate at in Helsinki.
- Muru
- Delicious Finnish food.
- Address: Fredrikinkatu 41, 00120 Helsinki, Finland
- Restaurant Savotta
- Delectable Lappish cuisine.
- Address: Aleksanterinkatu 22, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
- Shelter
- Modern Finnish cuisine, great cocktails.
- Address: Kanavaranta 7, 00170 Helsinki, Finland
Days 3 & 4: Kemi
After Helsinki, we moved to Kemi. There is a short, direct flight that gets you to Kemi from Helsinki. Kemi is a small town, and everything is conveniently located within walking distance from its town centre.
Although there isn’t particularly much to see in Kemi, there is one awesome bucket list item on our itinerary. The picture below should give you a hint.
My perfect shot of the Icebreaker Sampo that ploughed through the frozen sea
Things to do in Kemi
Firstly, make sure you visit the beautifully Gothic Kemi Cathedral. It looks hauntingly beautiful during winter.
The Kemi Church – a beautiful landmark in Kemi
Also, catch the sunset around the harbour. It can be magical in the winter! To get a better idea of what Kemi looks like, check out our photo gallery.
However, once you’re done walking about the town, let’s get to the main reason why this itinerary involves Kemi.
The Ice Breaker Sampo Cruise
The reason Kemi is part of the itinerary is because of the Ice Breaker Sampo Cruise. The Ice Breaker Sampo is a retired icebreaker that now carries tourists through the frozen Gulf of Bothnia. It then drops anchor in the middle of its journey and everyone on board jumps into the frozen sea!
It is an experience of a lifetime!
People floating in the frozen Gulf of Bothnia – Icebreaker Sampo
All the details about the icebreaker cruise can be found in this dedicated post.
Kemi Hotel Recommendations
We stayed at the Cumulus City Kemi which was about a 5-10 minute walk from the city centre. Because we were late to book, this was the only hotel available.
Other than its location, the hotel also serves as a stop for the bus that takes passengers to the Ice Breaker Sampo Cruise. You should know that the bus for the icebreaker leaves very early in the morning. So, make sure that you get a good night’s rest.
And FYI, Kemi has very few hotels. So, book fast before they run out.
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This structure next to the Kemi station stood out
Recommended Restaurants in Kemi
- Kemin Puistopaviljonki Ky
- Beautiful, quaint Italian restaurant located near the harbour, approximately a 10-15 minute walk from the Kemi centre. Some of the best pizzas we’ve ever tasted!
- Address: Urheilukatu 1, 94100 Kemi, Finland
Walking down Valtakatu Street in Kemi, Finland
Days 4 & 5: Rovaniemi
From Kemi, Rovaniemi is a short train ride.
Aerial view of Koskikatu, the main commercial street in Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the capital city of Lapland, and I think it is the tourist capital of Finland. In fact, you could spend all your time in Rovaniemi and book every outdoor activity here.
Things to do in Rovaniemi
As I mentioned, there are tons to do in Rovaniemi. The city also happens to be very kid-friendly. We saw so many ad-hoc attractions for kids all over the city.
One of the main reasons why Rovaniemi has so many kids is because it is the home to Santa Claus. Yes, the real Santa Claus!
Kids love Santa Claus Village
So, what should you do while you’re in Rovaniemi?
- Visit Santa Claus Village: Here you can stand in line to meet the real Santa Claus. Visit Santa’s post office to see letters that he receives from kids all over the world. Go on a reindeer safari, or simply stand on the Arctic Circle line.
- Visit SantaPark: An underground Santa-themed park for kids.
- Visit an ice hotel: You can read all about our visit to the Arctic Snow Hotel in this blog post. You can also spend a night inside the hotel on a bed made of ice!
- Plan outdoor activities: You can practically do every outdoor activity in Rovaniemi from catching the northern lights to ice fishing.
We've partnered with Nordic Odyssey, a Rovaniemi-based tour company specialising in organising high-quality guided trips, authentic experiences & nomadic adventures, for outdoor activities in Lapland.
Through our partnership, Nordic Odyssey is offering an exclusive 5% discount on the following activities when you use the code DRONE5 to book.
- Trip to Korouoma Canyon Frozen Waterfalls (Most Popular)
- Northern Lights Photography Hunting (their speciality)
- Husky Safari 10km
- Trip to Ranua Wildlife Park
- Reindeer Farm Experiences (with or without safari)
- Full Arctic Adventure (Snowshoeing, Ice Fishing, Fire & Survival)
- First Ice fishing experience
- Arctic Wilderness Hike
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- Us standing on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Finland
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- Every letter that is addressed to Santa Claus ends up in this mailbox!
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- Beautiful snow artwork inside the Arctic SnowHotel, Rovaniemi, Finland
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- Ah yes, I got one!
Check out more of our photos from Rovaniemi.
Rovaniemi Hotel Recommendations
Unlike Kemi, there is no shortage of hotels in Rovaniemi.
US $100 – 200
Scandinavian-style rooms and dormitories, centrally located.
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- Jätkänkynttilä (Lumberjack’s Candle Bridge), Rovaniemi, Finland
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- Make-shift shops in Rovaniemi’s city centre during the holidays
Again, as we were late to book (don’t make the same mistake), we ended up staying at Piriko Studio Apartment.
Located in the heart of Rovaniemi, the apartment was very spacious, comfortable, and clean. Although it was expensive, we would recommend it.
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A cosy room at the Arctic SnowHotel, Rovaniemi, Finland
Also, you can spend a night in the city’s ice hotel! The Arctic SnowHotel is a 30-minute drive from Rovaniemi city centre. Here you can sleep on a bed made of ice, inside a building made of snow. You don’t want to miss this opportunity of a lifetime!
And as with all other hotels, winters are peak tourist season and even this hotel sells out fast.
Recommended Restaurants in Rovaniemi
Here are a couple of must-eat restaurants in Rovaniemi:
- Nili Restaurant
- Authentic Lappish cuisine.
- Address: Valtakatu 20, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland
- Santa’s Salmon Place Restaurant
- Delicious fire-grilled salmon. Must visit if you’re in Santa Claus Village.
- Address: Santa Claus Village, Tähtikuja 1, 96930 Rovaniemi, Finland
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- Our delicious starter with fish – Nili Restaurant
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- Steak at Restaurant Nili
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- Cooking salmon the traditional way at Santa’s Salmon Place Restaurant
Day 6: Saariselka
Saariselka is a 3.5-hour bus ride from Rovaniemi. When we arrived in Saariselka we felt relieved that we’d left the maddening crowds behind in Rovaniemi. Starting here, Lapland feels vast and deserted.
The warmth from within – Fell Centre Kiilopaa, Saariselka, Finland
We technically stayed at a small village 10 minutes away from Saariselka called Kakslauttanen. You might have heard of it as it is most famously known for the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. The resort is practically on the cover of every magazine and website that promotes glass igloos in Lapland. This should tell you that Saariselka is a great place to watch the northern lights.
My snow angel!
Things to do in Saariselka
So here’s the thing. Although most visitors visit Saariselka to see the northern lights, we chose it for a different reason. We went there to experience a traditional Finnish smoke sauna.
Experience a traditional Finnish smoke sauna
Saunas are an essential part of Finnish culture. Every hotel, or B&B that we stayed at had a sauna on their premises. However, what you want to experience is a traditional Finnish smoke sauna.
A savusauna (smoke sauna) is a special type of sauna without a chimney. Wood is burned in a particularly large stove and the smoke fills the room. When the sauna is hot enough, the fire is allowed to die and the smoke is ventilated out. The residual heat of the stove is enough for the duration of the sauna.
After your body has heated up inside a smoke sauna, you’re expected to jump into a frozen lake. However, unlike the Sampo Ice Breaker, you have to jump into frozen water in your bathing suit!
Trust me, it’s not as bad as it sounds because your body can trap the heat from the sauna. So, once you step out of the sauna it’s not that bad. But after a minute, or when you jump into the freezing lake, you begin to feel the freezing temperature. It shocks your body!
Again, I can’t stress this enough – this was an experience of a lifetime!
Take a dip in this icy lake to cool off after your traditional smoke sauna – Fell Centre Kiilopaa, Saariselka, Finland
Make sure you check out our photos from Saariselka.
Saariselka Hotel Recommendations
Saariselka is a popular tourist destination and that’s why there are numerous resorts in the town. Most visitors want to stay at the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, possibly the most popular resort in all of Finland.
However, we chose to stay at the Suomen Latu Kiilopää (Fell Centre Kiilopää). Not only because it has the traditional smoke sauna on its premises, but also because it’s far more economical.
<US $100
Centrally located budget hotel that offers a range of outdoor activities.
US $100 – 150
Fell Centre Kiilopää, Hotelli Niilanpää
Comfortable rooms, and inexpensive food.
>>US $200
Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort – Igloos and Chalets
The most prestigious and recognized resort in Lapland.
Just keep in mind that Kakslauttanen is a short drive away from Saariselka. Both the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort and the Fell Centre are located in Kakslauttanen.
An aerial view of the Fell Centre Kiilopaa, Finland
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Days 7 & 8: Ivalo
The further north you move away from Rovaniemi, the less commercial it becomes. Many choose to travel up to Saariselka to get peace of mind. However, that wasn’t good enough for us. We wanted to go even further north to Ivalo and Inari!
Ivalo is a small town an hour north, by bus, of Saariselka. Most people fly from Helsinki to Ivalo and then go to Saariselka. However, Ivalo in itself is a fantastic place to stay, and a phenomenal location to see the northern lights! We had an incredible time staying in Ivalo which is evident from our photos.
Things to do in Ivalo
Like most places in Lapland, Ivalo offers visitors similar outdoor winter activities. However, as not too many tourists stay in Ivalo, activities here can be more personal, and less commercial.
Different hues of northern lights at Guesthouse Husky in Ivalo, Finland
Ivalo is a great location for:
- Husky safaris (especially if you’re staying at Guesthouse Husky)
- Northern lights
- Camping
- Ice fishing
- Snowmobiling and the list goes on.
Where to stay in Ivalo
We stayed at the most incredible B&B in Ivalo called Guesthouse Husky. It’s a family-run guest house, on a husky farm!
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- Adorable husky pups at Guesthouse Husky
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- Can you spot Rosie’s pup, Joe? – Guesthouse Husky in Ivalo, Lapland, Finland
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- Don’t be fooled, they are little wolves – Guesthouse Husky
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- Neha playing with the husky puppies
We were so happy that we stayed here not only because of the 150 huskies that live with you on the farm, but also because of its quaint character, and charm. And not to mention that we could see the northern lights right outside the guesthouse at night.
Northern lights spread across the sky – Guesthouse Husky, Ivalo, Finland
Guesthouse Husky was honestly the highlight of our trip!
You can read our thorough review of Guesthouse Husky. Just keep in mind, there are limited rooms in the guest house and guests are required to spend a minimum number of nights.
Us at Guesthouse Husky in Ivalo, Lapland, Finland
Ivalo Hotel Recommendations
If Guesthouse Husky is unavailable, or you need a few other options, here they are.
<US $100
Located away from the city, high chances of seeing the northern lights.
US $100 – 150
Our top pick! The perfect Lapland B&B and a dog lover’s paradise!
>>US $200
Wooden cottages with glass ceilings. Perfect for watching the Northern Lights.
Ivalo has a handful of hotel properties, so book in advance if you’re travelling during peak season.
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Days 8 & 9: Inari
The distance between Ivalo and Inari is short enough to be covered by a taxi. Taxis may not be easily available in this part of the country, so it’s advisable to ask your accommodation to arrange one for you.
The dance of the northern lights – Lake Inari, Finland
Inari was the northernmost town we visited while in Lapland. At 69° north, there is hardly any civilization or people around. It was pure wilderness! Our stay at Inari felt so personal and intimate, especially when we were participating in outdoor activities. It was just us and nature.
Things to do in Inari
Inari is probably the most epic place in Lapland to catch the northern lights.
Different strokes of the same colour – Lake Inari, Finland
It’s miles away from civilization, and so far up north that the chances of seeing the aurora borealis are extremely high. Other than that, you can look at my list of things to do in Lapland and pick any. The advantage of doing these activities in Inari is that it’s less touristy.
Where to stay in Inari
We would recommend the Wilderness Hotel, Inari. It’s located at the shores of Lake Inari, and offers normal rooms, as well as glass igloos! If you want to stay in glass igloos, we’d recommend this property because it’s a fantastic spot to catch the northern lights! Just check out their Facebook page, or my photo gallery if you need any proof.
The glass igloos at the Wilderness Hotel Inari
Inari Hotel Recommendations
We highly recommend the Wilderness Hotel, but here are a few other recommendations.
<US $100
Choose between apartments or hotel rooms. Very comfortable and economical.
US $100 – 150
Wilderness Hotel & Igloos Inari
Our top pick. Choose between cabins, rooms, or glass igloos. Friendly service.
>US $200
Glass rooms, attached to snowmobiles, can be moved to chase the lights! So unique!
Inari has a handful of hotel properties, so book in advance if you’re travelling during peak season.
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Day 10: Porvoo (day trip from Helsinki)
From Inari, head back to Ivalo and catch a flight to Helsinki for your final night. However, this time around, we recommend heading out of Helsinki to visit a small town called Porvoo on your last day.
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- A brightly coloured house in Porvoo, Finland
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- The old town of Porvoo, Finland
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- The Porvoo Museum
Porvoo is an ancient, colourful medieval town of only an hour outside Helsinki by bus. The buses run fairly frequently, so it’s easy to fit Porvoo into your day’s schedule.
Once in Porvoo, stroll through its old cobblestone streets, admire its colourful houses, and enjoy some delicious food and coffee. And don’t forget to eat a slice of the famous Runeberg torte.
Have a look at our photo gallery from Porvoo if words don’t paint a picture for you.
Porvoo’s famous Runeberg Cake
All the information on Porvoo can be found in this dedicated blog post. Everything from how to get there, where to eat and what to do.
What’s the weather like in Finland in winter?
Freezing! We arrived in Finland just before Christmas and left after the first week of January. Although there was no snow in Helsinki at that time, the temperature ranged from -4 °C to 2 °C. In Rovaniemi, the temperature ranged between 0 °C and -4 °C. However, as we went further up north to Ivalo and Inari, the temperature ranged between -30 °C and -12 °C.
An outhouse in the middle of nowhere – near Rovaniemi, Finland
And how do I prepare for winter in Lapland?
We visited Finland and Lapland in December and January – the peak of their winter!
The only way to combat the extreme temperature of northern Lapland is to layer up. Wear multiple layers of clothes, from thermals to sweaters, and finally top it up with a heavy, waterproof jacket that will resist the wind and dampness.
Us on board the Icebreaker Sampo
Make sure that you carry boots equipped to handle temperatures up to -20 °C and wear woollen socks.
Although gloves are essential, mittens are better especially when the temperature drops below -20 °C. And of course, don’t forget to cover your head and ears.
Pretty warm at -19 degrees Celsius – Guesthouse Husky in Ivalo, Lapland, Finland
If you’re sufficiently dressed, the cold won’t be a concern any longer.
And if you’re carrying a drone to Finland in the winter, don’t forget to read my tips for flying your drone in freezing weather. Remember to brush up on your Finnish drone laws.
Do you need to rent a car?
We covered this entire itinerary in Finland without a car. We used a combination of taxis, buses, trains, and planes.
However, if you’re looking to rent a car in Finland, check out some of the best car rental deals available in Finland.
The Ultimate Finland Winter Itinerary
We hope that you find this itinerary helpful while planning your winter trip to Finland and Lapland. Our goal is to give you an idea of what to expect, and how to get around. Of course, you can modify this itinerary to fit your timeline, whether you wish to spend 7 or 14 days in Finland.
One word of caution. Hotels sell out fast in Finland during the winter holidays (November to February). Be sure to book your rooms well in advance. And check out this site if you need help with your Schengen Visa.
If you need any additional details, feel free to drop me a comment below or contact us on this page. We can help you create a customized itinerary for Finland. Hope you enjoy your trip to Finland!
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85 Comments
Hey, this is Ayushi from India, Delhi. Found your article really helpful. I want to plan a trip to finland in september end or October start, do you think it’s a good time to see the nothern lights and other activities or December is better?
Hi, Ayushi,
Thanks so much! Technically the northern lights are visible from September to March in Lapland. Obviously, the odds are better in December/January. But from what I know, the lights are already visible in northern Lapland currently (you can check the apps and info found on this page) And also keep in mind, most of the activities require snow (like husky safaris). Here’s a list of activities that we can recommend for the winter time in Finland.
Hope you find it helpful 🙂
Feel free to reach out to us if you need more help planning your trip!
loved your blog… really helpful and very planned and explanatory. thank you
Thank you so much! Hope you have a wonderful time exploring Finland and Lapland 🙂
Love your photos! They are really beautiful. I am planning for a 10-day trip next year and find your blog really helpful. So your entire journey up North was by bus and taxI?
Thank you so much! I’m glad our itinerary helped. Yes, we did the entire journey by taxi, bus, and train. We only flew between Helsinki and Ivalo and then from Rovaniemi to Helsinki.
Hi, Love the description and the photographs. I was surfing and was almost through planning my trip from Copenhagen to Norway and way back to Sweden and flying out. However, some one told me going North and not covering Finland would be a shame. Please could you suggest a tentative itinerary for about 10-12 days if I start from Copenhagen on 14th / 15th December 2018? Thanks in advance 🙂
P.S.- I have not made any reservations yet, so feel free to toss up the entire plan 🙂
Hi, Abhishek, we’re delighted you loved the post and our photos. Well, it’s hard to suggest an itinerary without understanding what’s your agenda when you’re traveling. Is it to see all the countries, catch the northern lights, visit a few major cities? Because if you have 12 days, it roughly translates to 3/4 days per country. Which may not be enough everything. I mean, we spent 10 days in Finland and thought it was too little 🙂
Very creative article you’ve shared. Just want to fly.
Hi Devesh, Loved your photos and write-up. Keep going and motivate us, very useful information.
I am planning to visit Finland in November/2018 for 8 days. I live in Dubai, my first priority is to experience the Northern Lights, Snow, countryside instead of a city. Could please help me out with some tips like an itinerary for 8/9days, countryside stay?
Thanks, and absolutely! We will reach out to you privately to help you with an itinerary 🙂
Thank You so much, awaiting for your reply.
Hey,
Do you think I should rent a car to travel around. Me and my boyfriend going to Finland on jan 2019z
Hi,
I would say it depends. We didn’t rent a car and didn’t feel like it was a necessity. We found our way around through buses, trains, and taxis. So, renting a car is up to you 🙂
Dear Devesh and Neha, I am planning a future trip to Finland and I simply love your well-written, well-organized, well-curated itinerary!! I know more about what are the places to go, where to stay, what to eat and a little about the history and purpose of various attractions. Thank you so much! Really appreciate your brilliant posts! Marvelled at the beautiful photos you have taken too. Cheers!
Thank you, Audrey 🙂 ! We’re really happy that you found our blog helpful. We hope you that have a great time in Finland and takes lot’s of pictures!
Hello,
Kudos to ur article . I was just browsing and got glued to your article . Very interesting n impressive. This made me to visit Finland .
Could u help me with a budget friendly itinerary for a 7 days trip . Interested to see tht e norther lights n glass igloo n husky safari and nearby activities
Hope to hear from you soon
Hi Sajna,
Can you please contact us using the form on this page: https://droneandslr.com/travel-planning-service/
Thanks!
Hi! Looks like you had a fantastic time in Finland. Your documenting it shows it too. We are planning a trip to Finland in first week of April. We will be taking our 6 year old along. Our primary desire is to catch northern lights and see Santa’s village. We would also like to spend at least one night in an igloo hotel. Can you suggest an 8 day itinerary? Thanks for the help.
Sure, we’ll reach out to you privately to discuss this 🙂
Dear Devesh & Neha,
Thank you for this amazingly informative post here! It has indeed made my trip planning a lot easier!! I just booked a 3 nights stay at Fell Centre after reading your recommendation! But my concern is – is there any restaurants nearby? Or I’ll be stuck with the limited choices for dining at Fell Centre?
Would you recommend renting a car to make it easier to travel around? We would be arriving from Rovaniemi.
Appreciate your help.
Thanks you, Jessie! We’re glad that our post helped make your travel itinerary to Lapland easier 🙂
So the Fell Centre has a reasonably priced cafeteria and a few other restaurants (or maybe just one) in the main lobby area. I remember we ate one meal at their Lappish restaurant. But if you want more options, you can always head down to the main town of Saariselka, which is about 15 minutes drive from Kakslauttanen. There are a few more restaurants there (here’s one for example: https://goo.gl/maps/BArpNFVe5XF2).
I think there is a bus that takes you there. Or alternatively, if you rent a car then you can just drive down yourself. Renting a car totally depends on your needs. We managed to travel Lapland using buses, taxis, and trains.
Hope this helps!
Oh that helps! I didn’t know we could take a bus to Saariselka main town! Thank you indeed..
I’m wondering if its difficult to get a taxi? Say from Saariselka main town to Fell Centre. And from Rovaniemi to Fell Centre, should we take the bus to Kakslauttanen or Kiilopaa?
Sorry, but I’m alittle confused here😓
I think you should be able to get a taxi from the Fell Centre to Saariselka. If not, the bus should take you there.
From Rovaniemi, the bus stops at the Fell Centre. It’s a public bus that stops at all major hotels in Saariselka and Kakslauttanen (right in front of the reception of the Fell Centre). I think the same bus should take you into Saariselka.
No worries, it can get a little confusing.
Hi!
My husband and I are planning a trip to Finland, Sweden, and Norway. We want to spend most of our time in Finland, and your blog posts definitely solidify that decision! Thank you for posting everything so thoroughly, we are so excited to go now!
My question though, is around how much did this 10 day itinerary cost for 2 people including transport, food, accommodation, activities, etc? We are planning to go next Winter, and would love to know roughly how much we should start saving.
Thanks! 🙂
Hi Amy,
Thank you for your comment and we’re delighted that you found the blog helpful!
Finland is not a cheap country and the costs only escalate during the winter season, and the bills can really stack up when you’re there for a longer duration.
However, if you make your bookings 9 -12 months in advance, you can definitely save money on accommodation and flights. And we’re pretty sure that you can get the accommodation of your choice 🙂
Let us know if you have any other questions.
Hi Devesh,
Thanks for such a detailed itinerary. My husband and I plan to visit Sweden and Finland in March 2019. I plan to keep my itinerary almost same as yours. Just want to know that is it advisable to book the winter activities in advance or on the spot? Which will be a cheaper option? Thanks in advance for your reply.
Regards,
Aditi
Thanks, Aditi!
I guess it depends. Places like Rovaniemi it might be cheaper to book online. There are many operators in the city and it’s quite competitive. But in smaller towns there probably isn’t an option an option to book online. Your best bet would be to speak with your accommodation.
I realllyyyyy love how detailed your blog was!! It was so specific and I kept nodding while reading it!! Its the same place I wanted to visit and your pictures and links were so helpful.. I can’t help but comment and thank you!
Thank you, Cyndi! We’re really happy that you commented 😀
Hi Devesh, many thanks for posting your experience, this is very helpful in giving us an insight to what to expect! Would you mind sharing your detailed itinerary via email like what are the flight/train/bus you took for connecting these cities and also getting to the attractions? Much appreciated!
Hi, Jo,
Thank you!
For flights, we’d suggest using any flight booking search engine. For trains, we recommend using the official website – vr.fi. And for buses, we usually just landed up at the bus stop to catch the next bus 🙂
However, we’re more than happy to help plan your itinerary. Feel free to reach out to us on this page 🙂
Hi!
I love the winter itinerary of your blog! Wish that I’m able to follow your itinerary but I will be traveling to Lapland in early November. Understand that most of the winter activities would not be available yet, do you have any recommendations on what to do in early November?
I was thinking of booking Wilderness hotel in Inari after reading your blog too. How do you find this hotel? And, how do you get to Ivalo airport from Inari? Thanks in advance for your reply! 🙂
Hey, Becky,
Thank you so much!
Given that in early November there may not be any snow, you can still do activities like chase the northern lights or visit Santa’s village. Basically, anything that doesn’t involve snow.
We loved Wilderness Inari! It’s great for people who like to stay away from big cities. Getting to the hotel is relatively simple. You can take a taxi from Ivalo airport. I don’t remember how much it costs, but it’s about a 45 minute ride.
Hope this helps 🙂
Hi there! Amazing pictures and blog! I will be visiting Finland in mid December and so far I found a tour agency which gave me a brief itinerary – Sun, 15/12 City tour in Helsinki
Mon, 16/12 HELSINKI-RVN, ROVANIEMI 1000/1120
Upon arrival, pick up to hotel
Mon, 16/12 evening Northern Lights Photography Tour
Tue, 17/12 Husky/Reindeer & Santa Clause visit )
Wed, 18/12 Snowmobile & frozen lake )
Thu, 19/12 Check in to Igloo hotel, Akkupuka
Fri, 20/12 Check out & transfer to airport
ROVANIEMI-HELSINKI 0945/1100
Can you advise whether this is a good itinerary or what would you suggest? Our main goal is to catch the northern lights but also we probably have limited time to go far north into Ivalo / Inari.
Next would be the winter attires. As we are from Malaysia (a tropical hot country), we have not much experience in buying winter clothings. Do you suggest we buy them in advance or it is better to arrive in Finland and get the winter jacket, boots, mittens, etc? Thank you
Hey Jian,
Thank you so much. Your itinerary seems fine. You can do all the winter activities in Rovaniemi, though it might be a bit touristy. If you’re interested in customized travel itinerary, we can always help you. To see the northern lights in Rovaniemi, you might need to drive away from the city lights. As long as you have a guide with you, it should be fine.
For clothes, we would advise that you buy clothes before you leave. While we were in Helsinki and Rovaniemi, the lowest temperature we faced was about -5 degrees Centigrade. Which to be honest wasn’t that cold compared to -30 degrees Centigrade in Ivalo. We would advise that you buy clothing accordingly before you leave. If you have a Decathalon store in Malaysia, I would recommend getting clothes there. We got our Finland winter clothing from them and it was very economical. Otherwise, the more expensive options are North Face or Columbia.
Hope this helps!
Great blog and itinerary! I’m considering this trip over Christmas. Where would you recommend spending Christmas Day – we would ideally like to visit a restaurant for dinner.
Thanks, Dan!
Depends which city. If you’re planning on spending Christmas in Helsinki, we have a blog about that.
Thank you so much for your detailed trip! I am attempting to plan a similar trip for this December for my 25th birthday! Not a clue where to start though! Did you plan your trip yourselves or did you have some help from companies? Roughly how much did your trip cost for everything included? Thanks so much!
Hey, Helen,
Thanks so much! We planned the whole Finland itinerary ourselves. In fact, we can help you too (if needed).
So, December is peak season and is bound to be expensive. You can work with an estimate of 250-300 GBP per day per person. Again, that totally depends on personal requirements.
Thanks,
Devesh
Hi! Love your article on Lapland, Finland. Just made a last minute decision to chase the Aurora this Dec. So I’m worried with 5 months to go, if it’s too late. The husband insists on driving, but I’m more for public transport after reading your article. We hv some snow driving experience in Northern Arizona and Utah but I think Lapland’s snowy condition is far more challenging. Would you recommend driving to the North of Lapland and crossing over to Norway in early December? Really appreciate your reply🙏🏻
Hey, Zarina,
Thank you so much! From what we know, driving around in Lapland isn’t all that difficult. If you have experience driving around in snowy conditions, then all the better. It also gives you the luxury of doing things at your own pace. We’d say, go for it. Also for Norway it’s better to have a car.
But as you know, we have no issues with public transport. Go with whatever you’re comfortable 🙂
Devesh
What about vegeterian food option over there? I dont even eat onion potato. Is it feasible to travel there alone? Or better to go in group tour with their own chef
I’m sure you’ll find plenty of vegetarian/vegan options in the big cities. It might be a challenge if you go to the smaller towns and villages. You might be better off in a travel group 🙂
Thanks so much for the information! Just would like to know how short are the daylight hours, and is everything closed after sunset? Any night time activities available?
Hi, Megan,
During end-December there’s about a couple of hours of daylight in places like Ivalo and 6-8 hours in Helsinki. In fact, you probably won’t see the sun in Ivalo, just twilight.
Shops and establishment follow their normal opening and closing hours, except for on Christmas and Christmas eve.
Also what night time activities are you referring to?
Hi there,
I will be traveling to finland with my 11 yo boy arriving on Helsinki on 24 Nov and departing on 3 Dec.
Would you be able to advise an itinerary for us. As I have no experience of driving in winter, therefore would prefer public transport instead.
The ice breaking cruise is a must as well as northern light hunting and santa claus village.
It’s my boy’s first Europe trip in winter, will need to prepare him on the warm clothing from head to toe.
Thank you.
Hi, Rachel,
You can get in touch with us to help plan your customised travel itinerary through this page. However, we will only be able to respond after Oct 15, which might be a bit late.
As such, we suggest that you book all your hotels and activities now if you haven’t already. As it’s peak season in Finland, things start to get booked out. You can use our blogs as a guide.
Hope this helps!
Devesh
Hi, great itinerary! However do you mind sharing how much all of these cost in total? As i would like to plan for my family. Thank you!
Thanks, Valerie.
The price depends, but our Finland itinerary (excluding flights but including all meals, hotels, and activities) should cost anywhere between USD 300-350 per person, per day.
Hello, thanks for the information provided, this is a really good blog.
I’m planning a 5-6 day trip to Finland from London with my partner in mid November, and want to include the following: Helsinki,-Porvoo, Lapland (Santa village-Northern Lights-Husky safari), and 2 days in St Petersburg Russia, via train. I’m trying to work out. For this trip, I’m wondering when it’s best to use flights vs train vs bus, etc. Any guidance will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Helena
Thanks, Helena. This is what we would recommend:
Hope this helps!
Hi I happened to read your itinerary. It looks fantastic and the pics were great. May I know how much roughly is the total cost of this entire trip excluding your flight to Helsinki? Thanks
Thank you! As mentioned in one of the comments above, this itinerary should cost anywhere between USD 300-350 per person per day (excluding flights but including all meals, hotels, and activities).
Hi There.
Thanks for all of the amazing information you’ve provided above. My question is a follow-up to Megan’s regarding the number of daylight hours we’ll have in Lapland at the beginning of Jan. You mentioned that we might catch 2-3 hours of daylight or more like, twilight in places like Ivalo. Are winter activities available even though there is no daylight? I’d imagine the winter activities would be absolutely beautiful in twilight but just want to be sure they are available before we start looking into this trip in more detail. Thanks in advance!
Hi Aarthi,
It depends on the nature of the activity. Some activities, like husky safaris, are day-time activities, while some are night-time activities (Aurora chasing). You can see our photos here to get a better idea.
You needn’t worry about the availability of the activities as they are all very well organized. Your hotel/accommodation will be able to set them up for you once you arrive. In larger cities, like Rovaniemi, there are plenty of activity organizers. You can walk into their shops in the city centre.
Hope that helps! Let us know if you need any more information 🙂
Sorry, and one additional question. How much time did you find you were able to spend outdoors doing winter activities (in places like Saariselka and Ivalo) given the cold temperatures there in Jan? I’m from Canada so I’m hoping I’ll be able to handle at least a few hours outdoors but admittedly, I’m a bit nervous. 😉 Would love to get a sense of how long your outdoor activities typically lasted. Thanks again!
Honestly, it really was dependent on the temperature. To give you an idea, when we were in Ivalo, the temperature on the first night was around -30 degrees Celsius. I wasn’t really able to stay out for longer than 30-45 mins at a stretch before wanting to go back into the van that was transporting us. In fact, some people refused to even step out of the van after a point.
In Inari, it was -19 degrees Celsius and we were out for at least 2 hours before we were whisked away into a small hut to be served warm soup.
So the answer is that it totally depends on the temperature and for how long can your body sustain that low temperature.
Thanks for your blog sharing! Beautiful pics! I would like to hear your thoughts on the following places we plan to visit- Helsinki, Ivalo, Saariskelka and Rovaniemi with only 5 nights. Is there any place u think we should skip considering our time constraints? It’s our first time in Finland and we hope to catch the aurora. Hope to hear your thoughts… 🙂
Hey,
If it’s only 5 nights, I would try and maximize my time in Ivalo and Saariselka. Chances of seeing the Northern Lights are the highest up north.
Have a great vacation!
Hey, this blog is really helpful. Could you please share and approx budget to be kept in mind while planning a trip to Finland for 7-8 days from Mumbai. Thank you
Hi Mukta,
We’d say keep a budget of USD 300-350 a day. We’ve mentioned it above in one of the comments 🙂
Dear Devesh,
It is nice of you share your itineary and I find it highly useful for planning a trip to see nothern light in Lapland.
Are you able to assit in recommending an Itineary as I would like to visit the following places,
– Helsinki
– Kemi Ice breaker sampo cruise
– Rovaniemi Santa Village
– Ivalo or Inari to catch Nothern lights
– Other place you would recommend
Thank you!
Andrew
Hi Andrew,
If you need help for a custom itinerary for Finland, please free to contact us on this page.
Thanks!
Hi,
I am Koushik, originally from India, but now living in Netherlands since many years. 🙂
Thanks for the detailed information, it is really helpful and great effort to make things clear.
I am planning for a Finnland trip with a 6 years old, is it safe and comfortable to drive from Helsinki to Inari, not in single day, but stops in the locations in the map.
Is driving difficult due to snow and are all roads reachable in mid February by car ?
If I start from Helsinki, then what will be your suggestion regarding stopping and visiting the places inbetween. My main purpose is to see northern lights and visiting santa village for a day. However any other suggestion is most welcome.
Thanks in advance for your time and guidance.
Hey Koushik,
Unfortunately we haven’t experienced driving in Finland, so can’t really comment on how easy or difficult it is to drive in the snow. While we were in Finland we used buses, trains, and planes. All were very comfortable.
We hope this blog can help you plan your trip once you arrive in those locations. Also, you can search for the best deals on rental cars on this website.
Good luck!
Devesh
Hi! I am planning a trip for myself and my 9 yo son for Dec 2/12-14/12. The main reason for the trip was to stay at the igloos and see the Northern lights. Also to create precious memories with experiences like those we can never experience in Sydney, Australia.
We fly into Helsinki and out of there, so was wanting to know if it was a good idea to fly from Helsinki and head straight to the very top ie. Rovaneimi or further up to do that first before it gets busy as we get closer to Christmas? And then make our way back down to Helsinki? (a bit like the reverse of your itinerary).
What would you suggest are “must” for a 9yo?
IT is such a huge way to travel for us >24hrs and i wanted to make it as wonderful as possible. Any suggested itinerary would be super appreciated.. first time to Finland.
Hey Linda,
Wow, that sounds exciting! Australia to Finland feels like setting out a real adventure.
Well, for your 9 yo we’d obviously recommend activities like husky safaris, reindeer safaris, visiting Santa’s village, and of course the northern lights!
You can do the itinerary either way to be honest. But if you need our help in putting something together for you, please feel free to drop us a line on our custom travel planning page 🙂
Hi there
My Finland trip that I mentioned to you was going to happen in Dec 2019 didn’t pan out. We went to Switzerland instead. Despite having 5 months ahead of our plan, it was difficult to get good lodgings. So, hopefully with 11 months to go, we can make it happen this year. Can you tell me how much it cost you in terms of transportation in Finland – the flights, buses, taxi you took at various points of your trip? Am still trying to persuade the husband to just take the public transport. Some idea of how much it cost you would be helpful. I hope to finalise my plans by February. Thanks so much for the inspiration you give us to travel to Finland on our own. Would not consider it without your blog ;))
Hey Zarina,
Thank you so much for those kind words 🙂
Buses should cost around 40-50 euros (per person) and flights from Helsinki to Ivalo should cost 150 euros (return, per person).
Hope this helps with you awesome Finland itinerary!
Hi Devesh,
That photo of icebraker Sampo is perfect. Not that other photos are bad 🙂 I can’t wait to visit Finland during winter. I was in Espoo last year but during summer. One of my best trips in last couple of years. Keep up with the blog and awesome content!
Thank you very much, Mike!
Finland is my wife’s dream destination. We will go one day for sure and use this website as our guide. Wonderfully written article with all details. Thank you so much
Thank you very much!
We hope you and your wife make it to Finland soon, and if you ever need any help planning your Finland itinerary, feel free to contact us.
Hello. I planned to go to Finland this December but then the pandemic started. Things are starting to get better and there is hope again, and I’m thinking about following up on my plan. Yours is a great itinerary, I will follow it verbatim (except the accommodations maybe which I like to filter on my own). Thank you for posting your experience, my conviction is strong again. Good luck to your future adventures and stay safe.
Hi Aeron,
Thanks so much for your feedback. Like everyone else, we’re also bummed out that we can’t travel because of the pandemic. But we hope things do get better by the end of the year, and that you can travel to Finland for the winter.
Stay safe,
Devesh
Thanks for sharing this, keep posting, it’s very helpful for me.
Hello,
I truly find your blog on Helsinki/Lapland most interesting and useful for people like me wanting to taste the winter wonderland in Finland!
My husband and I are planning a winter trip there on March 21-31, 2021.
– We hope to visit Helsinki for 3 days, then head north,
– maybe fly to Ivalo to save time and stay at GuestHouse Husky for 2 nights/3 days to take the dog
sledding, plus to see my dream – Northern Lights.
– Then we plan to proceed to Saariselka – Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort for 2 nights – again to catch the Northern
Lights or experience the smoke sauna at Fell Centre plus reindeer rides
– Then we travel down to Rovaniemi to see Santa Claus Village and Park and Arctic Snow Hotel and stay for 2 days;
– Finally, spend last day in Helsinki to prepare trip back to US.
Do you think this is a feasible itinerary – enough time to do the dream activities?
Thanks so much for your support.
Hi Corinna,
Thank you very much!
Your Finland itinerary sounds amazing and doable. Hopefully everything goes smoothly given the pandemic.
Hope you enjoy the northern lights!
Hello there
I was doubting my decision about making a trip to Finland in this December however this article has completely taken the doubt away from my mind. Thank you both!
I’m traveling with my husband and 8 year old kid. Rovaniemi is definitely on the list, I’d like to know if it’s possible to sight northern lights in Rovaniemi? Due to severe cold climate and very low temperatures I want to avoid going further up in the North (we live in Dubai, not sure if can take such low temperatures). Please advise.
Hi Hinzi,
You’ll need to book a tour from Rovaniemi to see the northern lights as the lights aren’t visible within the city. Please feel free to book the tour using our partner’s website’s above (Nordic Odessey) and remember to use the code DRONE5 to get your discount!
Thanks!
Hi, want to plan 10days trip to Finland in from 5th October to 15th October. I’m very keen to experience Lapland, northern lights, husky safari. Can you please help me with entire itinerary. I will be flying from Mumbai. Thank you in advance.
Hi Amrita,
We’re currently unable to take any requests.
However, please reach out to us via this page and we’ll follow up in the next couple of weeks.
Thanks
Hi,
Thank you for sharing this wonderful itinerary. We are planning to do it on January without car and like you did, going by bus and by train.
How did you do with your baggages? Did you travel only with a travel backpack or with a trolley too?
Thank you very much !!
We did fine. We carried 2 luggage bags and 2 backpacks. There was a lot of bulk because of the winter clothes 🙂