A Lapland trip means northern lights over snow-covered forests, husky sledding, reindeer farms and Sámi villages. Filovent’s tailor-made tours of Finnish Lapland start from Rovaniemi, last 5 or 8 days, run in winter and autumn and start from €1,700 per person, with accommodation, transfers and activities arranged before you travel. Lapland stretches across the far north of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia; in Finnish Lapland, snow covers everything from December to March and the forest turns red in September.
Our Lapland tours
All Filovent’s Lapland tours are tailor-made: dates, length, stops and activities are adapted to what you’re after.
- Northern lights tour: 5 days in winter, focused on aurora watching and snow activities.
- Rovaniemi holiday: 8 days around the capital of Finnish Lapland and Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle, combining outdoor activities with local culture.
- Autumn tour: 8 days exploring Lapland on foot and along its lakes during ruska, the autumn colour season, with the first northern lights of the year.
How much does a Lapland trip cost?
A Filovent Lapland trip costs from €1,700 per person for 8 days in winter, from €1,710 per person for 5 days in winter and from €2,740 per person for 8 days in autumn. The final price depends on the length of the tour, the season and the activities you choose, and your Filovent travel adviser will send you a detailed quote.
| Tour | Length | Season | Price from |
| Northern lights tour | 5 days | Winter | €1,710 per person |
| Rovaniemi holiday | 8 days | Winter | €1,700 per person |
| Autumn tour | 8 days | Autumn | €2,740 per person |
What’s included in our Lapland tours?
Exact inclusions depend on the tour you choose but usually include:
- Accommodation in a double room in 3- or 4-star hotels
- Full board for most of the stay (buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner with water, tea or coffee)
- A tour guide throughout your stay
- Transfers to and from Rovaniemi Airport
- Coach travel as per the itinerary, with drivers used to snow and ice
- Use of the hotel pool and sauna
- Thermal gear for outdoor activities (snowsuits, boots, gloves)
What’s not included
- Flights
- Meals not mentioned in the itinerary
- Drinks other than those listed
- Porterage
- Tips
- Personal expenses
How many days do you need in Lapland?
Two or three nights is enough for a short break around Rovaniemi with one or two activities, but it leaves little margin for the northern lights, which need dark, clear skies. Filovent’s tours last 5 to 8 days: 5 days give you several nights for aurora watching plus the main winter activities, while 8 days take you from Rovaniemi to the north of the region and, in autumn, leave time for hiking during ruska.
When is the best time to visit Lapland?
The best time for a Lapland trip is December to March for snow, winter activities and the northern lights; autumn, from late August to October, brings ruska and the first auroras. Filovent’s tours run in both seasons.
Lapland’s seasons
- Peak season (December to March): snow covers the whole region, making it the best time for winter activities and aurora watching. Demand is highest over Christmas and February half-term. In December, daylight lasts only a few hours, and in northern Lapland the sun doesn’t rise at all for several weeks.
- Shoulder season (late August to October, and April): autumn brings ruska, when the landscape blazes with colour, and the return of dark nights for aurora spotting. In April, there’s still snow on the ground and the days are much longer.
- Low season (May to July, and November): summer brings the midnight sun and mild temperatures, but no northern lights. In November, snow cover is often still patchy.
Average temperatures in Rovaniemi
| Temperature | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
| Low | -14°C | -13°C | -9°C | -3°C | 3°C | 9°C | 12°C | 10°C | 5°C | -1°C | -7°C | -11°C |
| High | -7°C | -7°C | -2°C | 4°C | 11°C | 17°C | 20°C | 17°C | 11°C | 3°C | -2°C | -5°C |
Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute, Rovaniemi Airport station, 1991-2020 averages
These are averages: during cold snaps, temperatures can drop below -25°C, especially in northern Lapland.
What to see in Lapland
From Rovaniemi, the main stops on a Finnish Lapland tour are Levi (about 2.5 hours by road), Saariselkä (about 3 hours) and Inari (about 4 hours).
Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village
Rovaniemi is the capital of Finnish Lapland. Santa Claus Village, 8 km north of the town centre, sits right on the Arctic Circle line and is open all year round. The Arktikum museum covers the nature, history and peoples of the Arctic. Most husky safaris, snowmobile trips and reindeer farm visits set off from Rovaniemi.
Inari and Sámi culture
On the shores of Lake Inari, Finland’s third-largest lake, the village of Inari is the cultural heart of the Sámi people. The Siida museum tells the story of their history and way of life, and the Sajos cultural centre is home to the Sámi Parliament of Finland. It’s the place to learn about reindeer herding, Sámi crafts and joik, the traditional Sámi song.
Saariselkä and Urho Kekkonen National Park
Around 200 km north of the Arctic Circle and far from light pollution, Saariselkä has very dark skies for aurora watching. The neighbouring Urho Kekkonen National Park covers more than 2,500 km² of rounded fells, known as tunturi, to explore on snowshoes or cross-country skis in winter and on foot in autumn, during ruska.
Levi and Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park
Levi is Finland’s largest ski resort. Nearby, Pallas-Yllästunturi, Finland’s third-largest national park, mixes bare fells and conifer forests, with long hiking and skiing trails.
Best things to do in Lapland in winter
- Husky or reindeer sledding
- Snowmobiling across frozen lakes
- Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in the national parks
- A Finnish sauna, followed, for the brave, by a dip in a hole cut in the ice
- Northern lights watching on clear nights. The aurora depends on solar activity and clear skies, so it can never be guaranteed, but several nights in northern Lapland, away from town lights, greatly improve your chances.
What documents do you need to travel to Lapland?
- Passport: British citizens need a passport issued less than 10 years before the date they enter Finland and valid for at least 3 months after the day they plan to leave the Schengen area.
- Visa: no visa is needed for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Your passport details and biometrics are recorded under the EU’s Entry/Exit System when you arrive.
- GHIC or EHIC: a UK Global Health Insurance Card or valid EHIC is recommended, along with travel insurance covering medical costs and repatriation.
- Driving licence: a valid driving licence is required to drive a snowmobile.
Good to know before you go
Getting there
The main gateway is Rovaniemi Airport. In winter, easyJet runs direct flights from several UK airports, with new routes from late November 2026: Newcastle to Rovaniemi, and London Luton and Liverpool to Kittilä. Year-round, you can also fly via Helsinki; the Helsinki to Rovaniemi flight takes about 1 hour 20 minutes. Kittilä Airport, near Levi, and Ivalo Airport, near Saariselkä and Inari, serve the north of the region, and an overnight train runs from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.
Getting around
Finnish Lapland’s roads are well maintained and cleared of snow all winter. On tour, you travel by coach between stops, 2.5 to 4 hours apart, and the itinerary takes the short midwinter daylight hours into account.
Coping with the cold
The cold is dry and easy to cope with in the right gear: pack several warm layers, a hat and thermal underwear, on top of the snowsuits and boots provided for activities. Sledding and snowmobile trips depend on snow and weather conditions.
Language
Finnish and Swedish are Finland’s official languages, and several Sámi languages are recognised in Lapland. English is very widely spoken, especially in hotels and tourist areas.
Currency
Finland uses the euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere, even for small amounts, so you’ll rarely need cash.
Time difference
Finland is 2 hours ahead of the UK all year round.
How to book your Lapland trip
- Send us your request through the website with your dates and what you’d like to do.
- A Filovent travel adviser gets in touch to discuss your plans.
- They present the tours that suit you and adapt them to what you’re after.
- You choose the trip that’s right for you.
- Your booking is confirmed once the deposit has been paid.
Lapland trip FAQs
Can you go to Lapland at Christmas?
Yes. Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village welcome visitors over the festive season, and Santa can be met at his office in the village all year round. Christmas is the busiest time of year in Lapland, so Filovent recommends booking as early as possible, ideally by the summer.
Is Lapland a good trip for families?
Yes. Rovaniemi and Santa Claus Village are very popular with families, and most activities, such as sledding and reindeer farm visits, are open to children. A driving licence is needed to drive a snowmobile, so younger children ride as passengers. Your Filovent adviser can adapt the itinerary to your children’s ages.
Is a Lapland day trip worth it?
A day trip from the UK gives you a few hours in Lapland, usually around Rovaniemi, but no night in the far north and therefore almost no chance of seeing the northern lights. Filovent’s tours of 5 days or more leave time for several activities and several nights of aurora watching.
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Lapland?
The northern lights are visible from late August to early April, once the nights are dark again. December to March has the longest nights, while September and October let you watch them in milder temperatures. Filovent’s winter and autumn tours cover both periods.