How To Visit Lapland On A Budget? – Complete Guide

While Scandinavia can be expensive, it is absolutely possible to experience the magic of Santa’s Lapland without breaking the bank. We spent 7 unforgettable days in Lapland in January 2023 and then again in November 2024 and managed to do it for far less than what you often see online. Here’s our complete guide to visiting Lapland on a budget —without missing out on any of the fun.

How to get to Finnish Lapland on a Budget?

Depending on where in Lapland you want to go, you have a few different options.

Rovaniemi, Lapland’s capital, lies just at the edge of the Arctic Circle. It has its own international airport, which gets plenty of direct charter flights in winter—especially from cities like London, Paris, Brussels, Istanbul, and Milan, but also from some smaller airports with low-cost carriers. If you’re lucky, you can score a decent deal on one of these.

From there you can continue your journey by bus or train deeper in to Lapland.

Another option is to fly to Helsinki, then connect to Rovaniemi or any of the other Lappish towns with Finnair. There are multiple flights a day, but they can be on the pricey side.

👉 Our tip? Take the train. The Santa night express from Helsinki to Rovaniemi offers private sleeping cabins, letting you travel comfortably while ALSO saving on a night’s accommodation. Prices started around €49 for a double cabin—an absolute bargain. You can’t get anything cheaper than this.

You’ll depart Helsinki in the evening and will arrive in Lapland before the sun’s up. (Actually not too difficult, as the sun rises quite late in the winter). With the earlier train, you’ll arrive in Rovaniemi at about 7 am.

The ride itself is quite nice. The train cabins are compact but cozy enough for a good night’s rest. There’s a dining car with food and drinks, though it’s on the expensive side, so you can bring your own food on board, saving some money that way.

Again, if your final destination is deeper into Lapland, you can continue by bus or with a different train.

How to get around in Lapland on a Budget?

Lapland’s cities and villages are small and easily walkable, so once you arrive at your final destination you should be quite OK just walking everywhere.

That being said, there are some activities like husky farms that are outside the populated areas. Many of those, however, offer transfers from and to your accommodation, either included in the price or for a small fee. So it’s worth checking it out.

If you want to be more flexible, though, we recommend renting a car.

Can you get around Rovaniemi without a car?

Rovaniemi is the biggest city in Lapland, but it is still compact and walkable. If you book accommodation near the city centre, you’ll be able to reach most places on foot—even in winter.

Backpacks are easier to manage in snowy conditions, but don’t worry if you prefer a suitcase – the roads and side walks are very well maintained.

To reach destinations outside the city like Santa Claus Village or nature trails, consider renting a car for a few days, as it gives you more flexibility. We rented a car for 3 days and paid around €100 total. It gave us the freedom to explore at our own pace.

For getting to the Santa Claus Village or other destinations outside the city, we recommend renting a car, as it gives you more flexibility. If renting for the whole trip is too costly, you can do what we did. Rent it just for a few days and plan your activities accordingly.

A 3-day car rent cost us around 100 EUR.

🚗 Concerned about Driving in Lapland in Winter? Here’s everything you need to know!

Where to stay on a Budget?

While Lapland is famous for luxury hotels and glass igloos, those options come with a hefty price tag. If staying in a glass igloo is on your bucket list, maybe book it for just one night and compare a few offers on sites like booking for the best deal.

If you’re traveling solo and want to save money, hostels are the way to go.

Staying in Rovaniemi? We recommend Hostel Café Koti, located right in the city center with a warm atmosphere, and reasonable prices.

Couples or families: Airbnb is your friend. There are tons of local listings—studios, flats, and even cabins. On our first trip, we stayed in a studio for 6 nights and paid about €820. And many rentals include a private sauna (which felt incredibly luxurious after a day in the snow). For context, staying at Santa Claus Village for the same period would’ve cost over €1400, and a night in a glass igloo starts at €500.

Traveling with family or friends: Again, Airbnb. Look for houses or cabins. On our second trip, we stayed in the most amazing house, a 15-minute walk from the city. We were visiting with friends and paid about €1000 per family for a week’s stay.

✨ Our personal recommendation for an Airbnb in Rovaniemi is Sandhill Cottage—this is where we stayed during our second trip, and we absolutely loved it.

The house itself is spacious and can comfortably accommodate up to four adults. It comes with a fully equipped kitchen (perfect if you want to cook meals), your own private sauna, free on-site parking, and a cozy fireplace.

The hosts, Sanna and Sampo, are incredibly warm and welcoming. They truly go above and beyond to make your stay feel special—you can tell that they put a lot of heart into every little detail. We’ll definitely be back on our next trip to Lapland!

🛌 For more options, here are the BEST places to stay in Rovaniemi for any budget!

Where to eat in Lapland on a Budget?

Airbnb with a kitchen = major savings. Make sure to book one with a kitchen (most of them have one, so this shouldn’t be a problem). You can easily prepare breakfast, have coffee or tea, and even dinner at home. You can also prepare a packed lunch, like the local delicacy of rye bread with smoked fish or cheese.

Supermarkets are reasonably priced (similar to other European countries), though alcohol is noticeably more expensive (a beer starts at around €3.50).

Cooking might not feel like much of a holiday, but it saves enough to let you splurge elsewhere. Plus, eating warm meals at home after a day in sub-zero temperatures is surprisingly comforting, and an extra bonus if you have a fireplace in your accommodation.

Where to eat in Rovaniemi?

👉 Pro tip: Try the all-you-can-eat lunch buffet at the Arktikum museum café. For €18, you get a delicious and hearty meal, including salads, vegetarian and vegan options, and unlimited tea/coffee refills. The quality of the food is excellent, and the staff are really welcoming. No museum ticket required!

It is open for lunch Monday to Friday, 11am–2pm and the menu changes every day.

Want a special dinner out and are willing to spend something extra on delicious local food? Go to Restaurant Nili. It’s a bit pricier, but the food is phenomenal and the service exceptional. Just be sure to book in advance.

If you don’t have a reservation, try going shortly after a full hour. You can be seated in cases of no-shows then.

This is the tricky part. Experiences like reindeer or husky safaris are memorable—but they’re not cheap. A two-hour excursion might easily cost €100+ per person. That adds up fast, so pick just one or two of the more expensive activities. Consider what you really don’t want to miss.

⭐ Our top recommendation? Husky sleigh ride.

It’s exhilarating, and you actually get to drive your own team. There are many farms, which offer a combo ticket for husky and reindeer visits, and most also include a delicious lunch. Best value by far!

6 Budget-Friendly Activities You’ll Love in Lapland:

1. Go hiking

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, the easiest and most budget – friendly option would be to go on a hike. There are plenty of well-maintained trails around Lapland and Rovaniemi even in winter. The trails also vary in difficulty, so we’re sure you’ll find something that suits.

There are usually small shacks along the trails, too, where you can light a fire, rest and warm yourself. (wood is free and is usually in a separate building nearby).

👉 Pro Tip: Pack some sausages, some cheese and some bread and have lunch by the campfire.

Here are a couple of hikes you could do from Rovaniemi:

• King’s Lean-to – this is an easy hike, just outside Rovaniemi. The hike ends at a small shack where you can light a fire. It also gives you a stunning view of Rovaniemi and the river Ounasjoki. It took us about 40 minutes to get to the top from where we left the car (beginning of the hike). You can park your car here.

• Korouoma frozen waterfalls – moderate hike, but definitely worth it. If you have a car, you can drive for a little more than an hour and then do a hike, covering the three frozen waterfalls in Korouoma National park. There are a lot of paid tours with guides, but the paths are well-marked, so if on a budget, you can just drive there yourself and hike on your own. This hike also ends at a small campsite with a shack.

Hiking costs nothing and you get to spend a few hours in the serenity of Lappish nature. We highly recommend it!

2. Go Ice skating

This is a budget – friendly way to spend a whole day in nature, while also doing something. Not far away from Rovaniemi is an Ice skating park in the middle of the forest – Kotatieva winter leisure park. Day tickets are 49 EUR or even less if you book them on sale. For an extra fee, you can also book a traditional wood burning sauna. There is also a café and restaurant on site.

3. Go to a museum

Another low-cost activity is to visit Rovaniemi’s museums. They are really interactive and will give you a more in-depth insight into local culture and the history of the region.

Rovaniemi has three museums:

Arktikum museum

Arktikum is our favourite indoor stop in Rovaniemi, and not just because of the lunch buffet at the café. It’s all about Arctic nature, science, and Sámi culture — with beautifully curated exhibits and cool visuals.

One of the highlights is a stunning short film showing how nature in the Arctic changes through the seasons. It’s super calming and really captivating, we could watch it on repeat.

Science center Pilke

Right next to the Arktikum, you can explore Finland’s forests. Focused on forests, nature, and sustainability, it presents these themes in a way that’s incredibly engaging for all ages.

Korundi Museum of Contemporary Art

Korundi showcases bold, thought-provoking works from Finnish and Arctic artists. It is situated in a former mail truck depot and the space itself blends industrial charm with modern creativity. Expect striking visual art, and a peaceful, reflective atmosphere.

⚡Super money saving tip:

Get the Culture Pass (€30 adults / €65 families) for unlimited entry to all three museums for a whole week.

Grab your Culture Pass here!

4. Go to Ranua Wildlife Park

Ranua wildlife park is another great option for budget conscious travellers. Entry tickets are around 26 EUR. It’s built in a forest and the enclosures are as close as possible to the animals’ habitats in the wild.

We visited in late November, so it was already covered in snow and it felt like walking in a fairytale forest full of life. You also get to see Finland’s only polar bear. It’s great value for money and a fantastic day in nature!

✅ Get your tickets for Ranua Wildlife Park Here!

5. Explore Rovaniemi’s parks

Rovaniemi is dotted with scenic parks like Arktikum Park, Koskipuisto, and Kirkkolammen Puisto. The Angry Birds playground is a fun bonus if you’re traveling with kids. You can also walk along the Kemijoki river, going past Rovaniemi’s two famous bridges.

When is the best time to visit Lapland on a Budget?

The Christmas wonderland experience is what attracts most of the travellers, especially those with kids. December, and especially the time before Christmas, IS the high season – it is Santa’s city, after all.

However, if you’re after that magical snowy vibe without the peak prices, plan your trip for January to March. It’s still a winter wonderland, complete with festive lights, but without the holiday crowds (or markups) and you can still see Santa!

This time of year is known as Frosty Winter, and temperatures range from 0°C to -25°C (32°F to -13°F). With proper gear, it’s more manageable than it sounds, though. It is also one of the times with the highest chance of seeing the Northern lights.

If you’re not used to Arctic temperatures, renting proper winter gear can be a smart and budget-friendly move—especially if you don’t want to invest in expensive outerwear for just one trip. Many rental shops in Rovaniemi offer full winter sets (jackets, pants, boots, gloves) for around €10–15 per day.

🤓 Fun Fact: Lapland recognizes eight seasons, not just four! These include transitions like Snowy Spring, Harvest, First Snowfall, and (of course) Christmas.

Can you see the Northern lights on a Budget?

Absolutely.

You don’t need to book a pricey Aurora tour to see the Northern Lights. In fact, no guide can guarantee a sighting anyway—it’s all about solar activity and clear skies.

Your best free viewing spot in Rovaniemi? Arktikum Park. Minimal light pollution and stunning views if conditions align. But you can see them from other locations as well. It just needs to be dark with a clear view of the sky.

Another good location is the Appuka Resort, which is about 10 km outside Rovaniemi. You will need to have a car for that, but if you get even the slightest indication on your Aurora App, you should head over there immediately.

We also recommend downloading the Aurora Alert Realtime App. Our Finnish host told us about it and said that that is the one that all of the locals use. We tried it and I have to say it was pretty accurate. We were also lucky enough to see the Aurora right from the patio of our cabin!