How To Visit Lapland On A Budget? – Complete Guide

While Scandinavia could be quite expensive for a lot of travellers, it is definitely possible to visit Santa’s Lapland on a budget in 2024. We have a complete guide on how to do it without missing out on the fun. We had 7 amazing days in Lapland in January 2023 and spent a lot less than what you commonly read on the internet, so it is definitely possible to have a journey of a lifetime without emptying your bank account!

How to get to Finnish Lapland on a budget?

Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland, and it is situated right at the gate to the Arctic circle. You can get there by plane since there is an international airport with lots of charter flight in winter and also many domestic flights from Helsinki. If you are coming from one of Europe’s major cities, such as London, Paris, Rome, Brussels, Istanbul there are direct flights to Lapland’s capital, and it is definitely worth checking those first. If you are lucky, you might get a good deal. The other option is to fly to Helsinki and then connect via Finnair to Rovaniemi – there are multiple domestic flights a day, but they might be a little pricey.

The cheapest way to get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki is by train. Of course, it won’t be the fastest option, but if you get on the night express and book a sleeping cabin, the time will fly by, and you will be there before sun up. Well, actually this is not difficult since the sunrise in winter could be as late as 10 am, but, joking aside, depending on your departure you can be in Rovaniemi at around 7 am. Moreover, you also save on accommodation for that night and could get to your destination for as little as 49 EUR for a private double cabin (as of February 2023), we would say it is a bargain. You can easily book tickets online here.

The train ride is not that bad at all. The cabin is quite small, but enough for a good night sleep. You can get something to drink or grab a bite at their restaurant, but bear in mind that the prices are on the high end. It might be better to bring some snacks and drinks with you.

How to get around in Rovaniemi on a budget?

Rovaniemi is a very compact city. Once there, you can definitely get around on foot. So booking accommodation in walking distance is recommendable. If you visit in winter, travelling with backpacks is more convenient. But don’t worry if you prefer a suitcase – the roads and side walks are very well maintained, so that pulling your suitcase won’t be a problem, too.

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 the rent for the whole period is too much, consider renting it for a few days and plan your activities accordingly. A 3-day car rent cost us around 100 EUR.

If you are concerned about driving in Lapland, check out our guide with some essential tips for having a safer trip.

Where to stay in Rovaniemi on a budget?

There are a lot of fancy hotels and the famous glass igloos in Lapland. We considered staying there, because… well, the idea of sleeping under the sky is intriguing, but after checking the prices, very quickly decided against it. If it is on your bucket list – make sure you compare a few places in order to find the best option, and also consider staying for just one night.

If you are travelling solo – the easiest way to save money, is to stay in a hostel. The one that we would recommend is Hostel Café Koti. It is located in the city center and prices are reasonable.

For couples or families, staying in an Airbnb might prove an affordable alternative. Most of the locals are in the tourist business, so there are plenty of studios, flats, and even cabins available. Just make sure you book in advance, so that you get the best deal. The cool thing is, that even in a basic apartment, you can feel fancy, because a lot of them have a private sauna. How awesome is that?

We stayed in a studio for 6 nights and paid about 820 EUR. If you don’t insist on having a sauna, you might be able to find an Airbnb for even less. And while that sum might not sound as a bargain at first – bear in mind, that staying at Santa’s Village (one of the cheaper options) would have cost us 1400 EUR for the same period. And for a night in a glass igloo, you are looking at around 500 EUR at the very least per night. So the Airbnb is by far the best money-saving option when visiting Rovaniemi.

Where to eat in Rovaniemi on a budget?

Staying at an Airbnb can also save you a ton of money when it comes to food. Make sure to book one with a kitchen (most of them have one, so this shouldn’t be a problem). You can easily have breakfast, coffee or tea at home every morning. Furthermore, if you are up for it, you could cook for lunch or dinner, prepare something to take with you during the day, or do as the locals do – and have a cold meal with rye bread and smoked fish or cheese. It is delicious. Prices at the supermarkets are fine, comparable with those in most European supermarkets. The one thing, that’s more expensive than other countries, is the alcohol. For example, a 500 ml bottle of beer starts at 3,50 EUR.

We get it, cooking for a family on holiday might not be everyone’s cup of tee, but when you consider how much you will save and the activities you will be able to book instead, it might be worth it. And not to forget, there is something really cosy about having dinner at home with your loved ones after a long day in the cold.

For lunch during the week, we highly recommend trying the all-you-can-eat buffet at the café of the Arktikum museum. You don’t need a museum ticket in order to access the café. They offer a daily changing menu with different salads, warm meals for meat lovers as well as vegetarians and vegans. It costs 15 EUR per person and you get unlimited coffee and tea refills, on top. The quality of the food is excellent, and the staff are really welcoming.

If you are a true foodie, though, and are willing to spend something extra on delicious local food – we have the right place for you – Restaurant Nili. Make sure, you make a reservation first. Their food is mouthwatering and definitely worth every cent.

If you want to find out more about the Lappish food plus get some more restaurant recommendations and places to avoid, check our guide on Lappish cuisine

How to experience Lapland for less?

This one is tricky. We spent hours researching before our trip, and it was sometimes really overwhelming. Millions of tourists visit Lapland every year. There are many companies offering authentic experiences from ice-fishing to reindeer farms and Aurora hunting. There are just too many of them and the prices often start at more than 100 euros per person and activity for 2–3 hours. That could exceed your budget very quickly. We recommend only doing one or two of those, depending on your personal interests.

Book fewer experiences

Consider what you really don’t want to miss. Here is our list of the top 7 activities in Rovaniemi. They are by no means cheap, and we found that prices are quite similar across the different providers, but if you have the budget, what we would definitely recommend doing is a husky sleigh ride. The dogs are absolutely brilliant and you get to control your own sleigh. It is epic. This farm – Raitola offers a combo ticket of visiting a reindeer farm and a husky ride, which is the cheapest option if you decide to do both. The price also includes delicious lunch.

However, there are also many cheap but fascinating activities you can do. Here are our suggestions:

Go hiking

If you enjoy spending time outdoors, the easiest and cheapest option would be to go on a hike. There are a number of marked and maintained hike routes around Rovaniemi, it costs nothing and you get to spend a few hours in the serenity of Lappish nature. If you rented a car, visiting the Korouoma frozen waterfalls is a great option. You can also visit the tourist info centre for hike ideas, the ladies there are extremely helpful.

Go Ice skating

Not far away from Rovaniemi is an Ice skating park with forest trails – Kotatieva winter leisure park. Day tickets are 49 EUR or even less if you book them on sale. A traditional Finnish sauna is also available for you to enjoy.

Go to a museum

If you’re interested in learning more about the local culture, consider getting the Culture pass. It’s a combo ticket that gets you unlimited access to all three museums in the city for a week. It costs 25 EUR for an adult or 55 EUR for a family. We really loved how interactive and kid friendly the museums are.

Arktikum museum – Introduction to life in the north: Arctic issues and the history and culture of Lapland

Art museum Korundi – Northern perspectives through contemporary art

Science center Pilke – Explore northern forests, the sustainable use of wood and the possibilities of bioeconomy by doing and experiencing

Go to the zoo

Ranua wildlife park is another great option for budget conscious travellers. Entry tickets are around 22 EUR. There, you will have the opportunity to learn about the arctic animals in their natural habitat. Moreover, you will get to spend some time in the fresh air.

Explore Rovaniemi’s parks

Rovaniemi has a lot of parks and playgrounds. You can go for a walk in the park along the Kemijoki river. Other beautiful parks include Kirkkolammen Puisto, Koskipuisto and the Arktikum park. A hidden gem in the city is the Angry birds playground. If you’ve ever played Angry birds, you wouldn’t want to miss that.

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. Christmas IS the high season – it is Santa’s city, after all. It’s a good thing that winter in Lapland extends for more than just the holiday season, allowing you to savour its spirit even after that, too. You can visit Santa all year round and in January or February, it still feels special and magical. There are lights and decorations everywhere, so that also helps to put you in the right mood.

The best time to visit and enjoy the Lappish winter while saving a few hundred euros is from January till March. This period is also known as Frosty winter. Needless to say, the scenery is breathtaking and often feels surreal. Temperatures vary between 0 and -25 °C (34 °F and -13° F), but with the right clothes, it is not as bad as it sounds. Check our guide on how to dress for the Arctic winter. It is also one of the times with the highest chances of seeing the Northern lights.

FUN FACT – there are 8 seasons in Lapland (the four main seasons are complemented by seasons of transition in between them) – Frosty winter, Snowy spring, Spring, Midnight Sun, Harvest, Autumn, First snowfall, Christmas.

Can you see the Northern lights on a budget?

This one is easy – of course you can. The Aurora borealis are a natural phenomenon that does not need an expensive guided tour, costing hundreds of euros, to experience. There are many factors influencing whether or not you’ll be able to see the Northern lights – such as solar activity, weather or light pollution. For that reason, obviously, none of the tour operators can actually guarantee that you will see them.

For a free alternative to the Aurora hunts, we recommend going to the Park of the Arktikum museum – it is the best spot for catching the Northern lights in Rovaniemi. There is very low light pollution in this area – so if the sky is clear and there is enough solar activity – it is your best shot. Of course, you need the weather to be on your side, but that is the same with the paid tours. If there is thick cloud coverage, there’s nothing the guide can do about it.

There are a lot of free apps available, for example Aurora forecast or Aurora Alert Realtime, that can even send you notifications if the chances are high nearby. So this is something you might also want to check out.