Think 3/4 night trip to Lapland costs about 4k?

[Eatingallthemincepies]

We’re trying to plan ahead for a trip to Lapland this Dec or next. Kids will be 5 and 8 this Xmas, so we want to go whilst 8 believes (but 5 might be prone to the cold?!). The airlines haven’t released direct flights yet and I can’t package deals yet either - am I thinking about the right price for 2024? Would be happy to DIY if it was less commercialised/cheaper.

One way of diy is to fly to Helsinki (Ryan air from stansted) and take the sleeper train north, reduces the number of nights in a hotel and adds an extra experience. Check it out ...

Personally I think 4k is eye watering may expensive! Can I do it for 3k?!

We went in February and stayed in an Airbnb. Probably <1K and the same experience.

I've just been in Dec 2023 for same number of nights and with 2 kids (3 and 7) and cost us approx £5K. But we didn't skimp on excursions so you could find it cheaper. Both my kids were fine with the temperature but we also bought proper snow clothes beforehand.

It was incredible and we'd definitely go back.

We went in February too, Santa was on holiday but everything else was the same cost about a grand each

it’s a lot of money for something that in 10 years’ time the youngest one will barely remember! We took ours to Disneyland Paris at a similar age and they can hardly remember it now - unless it’s something you and your husband really want to do, is save it til they’re a bit older and do something better for the money!

There's a Facebook group, Lapland on a budget, that has lots of helpful people in. I don’t think a package can be done for 3k but possibly if you arrange yourself.

Depends on the cost of flights. I think they are around 800pp at Christmas. You can find a cabin for about £500-800 for the entire stay. Given that Finland is eyewateringly expensive, 4k would be a more realistic budget. If you avoid eating out, you can maybe get it down a bit.

I'm in Lapland at the moment. I dont know what a package would cost. But DIY is very easy and you would have a lot more control over your budget. You can fly direct to Rovanemeni, the airport is 15mins from the town. I flew to Helsinki, spent the weekend there and took the train up by day as the journey is scenic. It was 295euros for a private four person compartment.
We stayed a couple of nights in the Appuka resort in a glass igloo. There are lots of activites you can book from there - husky sledding, reindeer trip, night train to see aurora. Its very nice but its very expensive!
You could also stay in the town, there are loads of places to book trips from yourself. The Santa village takes about 15mins by shuttle bus and is 8euros each way. Visiting Santa there is free - but its 50 euros for your photo and you cannot take your own. They also take a video of you meeting Santa, the photo and video as a digital package is 80euros.
We queued for about 15min - but this is Feb - they looked set up for lenghty queues in santa-season! There is really not a lot else to do there apart from shops, meet mrs santa (5euros) and see some reindeer. It was very busy on Tues - it would be nuts at Christmas I would think.
I would think your kids are the perfect age for it, they say age 5-9 get the most out of it. Any activities will include snow suits and boots. I have worn ski wear all the time, with the snow suit over it.
The things I liked best were the husky sledding, seeing the aurora and we loved the Korouoma canyon frozen waterfalls hike (this is not suitable for your younger child though).

We priced it up last year family of 5 one was 5 months old and it was £8,000 crazy money same as a week in Disney world xx

Ooh we're looking at going next February! Any tips to share? 🙏

i paid similar when mine little but right now i’ve just prices return flights direct to rovaniemi - half term for 4 days for £65 each

booking.con appt is £300 for family of four

it can be done cheaper