Lapland on a Budget with Kids: Plan Your Magical Family Adventure

Visiting Lapland with kids is often described as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime trip‘ — the chance to visit the very home of Santa Claus. While many families travel for the magic of Christmas and meeting Santa, Lapland is so much more! It’s snow-dusted forests, husky rides, reindeer safaris, the Northern Lights, and that incredible still beauty you only get in the Arctic.

But let’s be honest, the cost of a Lapland package holiday can make your eyes water. Many families spend thousands for just a few rushed days. We wanted time to truly experience the magic and beauty of Lapland without the inflated prices or restricted package options.

Let me share a little secret – Lapland on a budget with kids is 100% possible and we’ll show you exactly how to do it while saving £000s.

Planning your own magical family adventure is not only more affordable, but also more flexible and rewarding. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to plan your own Lapland trip, step-by-step.

Forget the that “where do I even start?” overwhelm. Our guide will help you feel confident, excited, and ready to make your own magical memories in Lapland — without breaking the bank.

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Why Lapland on a budget versus package?

The most obvious reason is the price tag!!

Lapland package holidays, even one day can cost thousands of pounds. You’re flown there and back on the same day, cramming a handful of taster activities into just a few rushed hours. Families barely get a taste of the magic before being herded back to the airport, exhausted, with only a glimpse of what Lapland has to offer.

The package approach was definitely not for us!

We spent nine nights (including two in Helsinki beforehand) and still paid less than what many families spend on a single-day trip! Instead of feeling rushed, we had time to truly soak up the magic, explore the snowy forests, play in the snow, and just take time to admire the beauty of Lapland.

Unless you really don’t want to plan it yourself or have no concerns about budget, I honestly don’t know why so many families go down the package route. Planning your own Lapland trip is easier than you think and it’s so much more rewarding.

Beyond the cost, going DIY gives you freedom and flexibility. You can choose your own experiences that suit your family and budget, whether that’s meeting Santa, husky rides, or discovering all the amazing free things to do in Lapland. You can spend your days at your own pace, with plenty of time to relax and simply enjoy the snowy wonderland around you.

Some of our favourite moments weren’t planned at all, just walking through the forest, playing in the snow with the kids and feeling like we’d stepped straight into a Christmas card. Everything is so white, pristine, and perfect – that’s the real Lapland magic.

How much does a budget Lapland trip cost?

The cost of your Lapland trip will vary based on how many of you are travelling, when you go, the type of accommodation you choose, and which activities you decide to do.

But a DIY Lapland trip costs a fraction of a package holiday.

As we’ve already mentioned, many families spend years saving for a Lapland package, or sadly decide the price tag is simply out of reach. When we started planning our own trip, we were shocked by how expensive the packages were.

We compared our budget Lapland trip to a very well-known UK travel company and found a three-night package in early December for £4,459 for a family of five. That’s more than our entire nine-day trip for two adults and three children at the begining of January!

That’s less than the price of a three-night package trip, yet we enjoyed nine full days of magic, adventure, and relaxation at our own pace.

We didn’t feel rushed, we weren’t herded between attractions, and we had time to truly experience Lapland’s incredible beauty. From snow-covered forests and frozen lakes to quiet evenings watching the Northern Lights dance above us.

So yes, Lapland on a budget with kids is 100% possible — and it doesn’t mean cutting corners. It means spending smarter, not less on memories.

How long do I need in Lapland with kids?

No matter how long you stay, you’ll probably wish it was longer. We certainly did! We left Lapland desperately wanting to return with plenty more we could have done.

I’d highly recommend avoiding the one-day trips you see advertised. They’re incredibly rushed, with hours spent travelling and only a brief glimpse of the magic once you arrive. You’ll come home exhausted, feeling like you’ve barely scratched the surface.

Even a two-night stay can leave you wishing for more time to explore, rest, and truly experience the magic of Lapland.

If you can, I’d suggest spending at least three nights in one place. This gives you enough time to settle in, enjoy a mix of paid and free activities, and have some magical family moments in the snow.

We spent nine nights across three locations (including two in Helsinki beforehand), and honestly, we could have stayed even longer. Every day was just as exciting, in fact some of the most memorable time was free time doing things that cost absolutely nothing – sledging, toasting marshmellows, drinking hot chocolate in the snowy forests and spotting reindeer.

Our trip to Lapland on a budget with 3 kids

Here’s a quick overview of what Lapland on a budget looked like for us…

We started our journey by flying to Helsinki, where we spent two nights exploring the city, staying at the beautiful Marski by Scandic. It was the perfect way to break up the travel and give everyone a taste of Finland’s cosy Christmas charm, markets, and inviting cafés (and the best cinnamon buns)!

From there, we boarded the overnight Santa Express train to Rovaniemi – a magical experience in itself! The kids were beyond excited to sleep on the train, and waking up to snow-covered forests outside the window felt like stepping straight into Narnia.

We spent two nights in Rovaniemi, visiting Santa Claus Village, Kotatieva Winter Park, crossing the Arctic Circle, and making the most of the free snow fun right on our doorstep. From there, we travelled further north to Levi, where we stayed for three nights in a cosy cabin nestled among pristine forests and shimmering white snow.

Levi truly has everything you could dream of from sledging and skiing to magical reindeer and husky rides, snowmobiling adventures, and the mesmorising beauty of the Northern Lights dancing in front of us. It’s perfect for families who want to slow down and soak up the magic.

Some of our favourite moments were the simplest, finding the free kotas and firepits, sipping hot chocolate, and toasting marshmallows. We completely fell in love with Levi and could have easily stayed longer.

Finally, we took the overnight train back to Helsinki before flying home.

In total, we spent nine nights (including two in Helsinki) and managed to experience so much more than we ever could have on a short package trip.

👉 Our full day-by-day breakdown and everything we did will be shared in a separate post – coming soon.

Where is Lapland?

Lapland isn’t actually a single country but a vast region that stretches across northern Finland, Sweden, Norway, and part of Russia. However, most people visit Finnish Lapland, home to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi, Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, which are the most popular, family-friendly destinations.

Most of Finnish Lapland sits above the Arctic Circle, a magical invisible line that marks where, for part of the year, the sun never fully rises (in winter) or never fully sets (in summer). This creates the incredible Polar Night, when the world is bathed in soft blue twilight, and the Midnight Sun, where daylight remains around the clock.

The Arctic climate means snow is guaranteed for much of the winter, usually from late November to April, turning the landscape into a true winter wonderland. And while it sounds extreme, Lapland is well-prepared for its long winters, the air is crisp, dry, and surprisingly comfortable, especially when you’re dressed for it.

How to get to Lapland from the UK

For our family trip, we chose to fly into Helsinki Airport. Helsinki is not actually in Lapland but located in the south of Finland, so you will then need to travel north to Lapland from there. There were three main reasons we chose this route, and they might influence your decision too:

1. It was cheaper. Flights to Helsinki are often less expensive than flying directly into Lapland, especially during peak Christmas season.
2. We wanted to explore Finland’s capital. Spending a couple of days in Helsinki gave us time to enjoy the beautiful city before heading north.
3. We wanted to experience the famous Santa Express overnight train. It’s a real adventure for kids (and adults!) and a comfortable, scenic way to wake up in the snowy magic of Lapland.

Helsinki to Rovaniemi (the gateway to Lapland) takes around 8–12 hours on the train, depending on the service, which is why the overnight sleeper train is such a brilliant and family-friendly option. Plus you get to travel while you sleep!

If you’d like to do the same and fly into Helsinki, you can get direct flights:

• ✈️ Helsinki Airport — direct flights from Edinburgh, London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, and Manchester

If you’d rather fly directly into Lapland, you can skip Helsinki and head straight to the Arctic:

• ✈️ Kittilä Airport (for Levi and Ylläs) — direct flights from London Gatwick and Manchester
• ✈️ Rovaniemi Airport (for Santa Claus Village) — direct flights from Bristol, Edinburgh, Liverpool, London Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, and Manchester

Top Tip: If you want to save even more on your flights, don’t miss our guide on How to Find Cheap Flights where we share the exact tools and tricks we used to book our Lapland flights for less.

Where to stay in Lapland on a budget with kids?

We researched all the different areas of Lapland in great depth and just couldn’t decide, so we split our stay across two locations!

Our first two nights were in Rovaniemi, home to the world-famous Santa Claus Village and the official Arctic Circle line. It’s also the main stop for the Santa Express overnight train from Helsinki, which made it the perfect place to start our adventure.

From there, we picked up a hire car and drove further north into the Arctic Circle to Levi, which we absolutely fell in love with for its natural beauty, relaxed atmosphere, and endless winter fun.

To help you decide where to base your family, here’s a quick overview of the most popular destinations in Finnish Lapland:

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How to travel around Lapland

Once we arrived in Rovaniemi, we hired a car, which gave us so much flexibility, especially when choosing activities that were a little further afield but often much cheaper. It also made a huge difference in Levi, where we stayed slightly outside the centre in a magical, snow-lined forest.

We were definitely nervous about the idea of driving in so much snow, especially when in the UK, it only takes a light dusting for driving to become treacherous! But in Lapland, every car comes with winter tyres, and we honestly couldn’t believe what a difference they make. The roads are well maintained, and we found even driving to remote spots an absolute breeze.

Here’s a quick summary of all the transport options available for getting around in Lapland.

Best time to visit Lapland with kids?

For snow

In terms of weather, the snow in Lapland usually arrives in late November and stays until early April, with the most snow cover typically between December and March. During these months, you’ll experience the magical winter wonderland most families dream of – sparkling white snow, frozen forests, and endless Arctic activities like husky rides, reindeer safaris, and sledging.

To visit Santa Claus

Many families aim to go before Christmas, so the kids can meet Santa before he delivers their presents on Christmas Eve. However, this is for sure the most expensive and busiest time of year. Of course, Santa is available to visit 365 days a year in Rovaniemi’s Santa Claus Village, so why not avoid the inflated costs and visit him after Christmas instead?

To see the Northern Lights

The best time to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) in Lapland is from late August to early April, when the nights are darkest. Peak viewing months are December to March but you’ll need clear skies and a bit of luck. The further north you go (for example, Levi, Saariselkä, or Ylläs), the better chance you’ll have. We didn’t see them at all in Rovaniemi but were completely blown away by the numerous sightings in Levi.

Our recommendation

We visited at the beginning of January, which turned out to be absolutely perfect. There was still plenty of snow, the prices were lower, and the kids got to thank Santa for their presents instead!

That said, Lapland isn’t just for winter. We loved it so much we’ve already said we’d love to return in spring or summer, when the snow melts and the landscape transforms into a lush wilderness of forests, lakes, and wildlife — perfect for hiking, canoeing, and spotting reindeer in the wild.

Budget-friendly things to do in Lapland

Paid activities in Lapland like husky rides, Santa experiences, and reindeer safaris can be very costly but there are so many amazing things to do for free (or very little). Some of our best memories were just playing and havinng fun in the snow. There are plenty of areas where free sledges and other snow equipment are available.

Our second favourite thing to do was find a kota (a wooden shelter with a firepit), which are dotted all over Lapland and stocked with free firewood. We always carried marshmallows and O’boy hot chocolate (the best!) Toasting marshmallows in the snow became one of our simplest yet most magical memories.

Our third favourite thing to do was go for a beautiful snowy winter walk, soaking up the feeling of being inside a real-life Christmas card and spotting the wildlife. There are even a few reindeer farms where you can meet and feed them for a small fee — a magical experience for kids (and grown-ups too!).

Don’t forget, inn Rovaniemi, visiting Santa Claus Village is completely free! You can meet Santa, cross the official Arctic Circle line, and send a postcard from Santa’s Post Office all for free.

Top tips for your budget Lapland adventure

Hopefully by now, we’ve helped convince you that planning a trip to Lapland doesn’t have to mean spending a fortune. Here are our final top money-saving (and stress-saving!) tips to help you plan your budget Lapland adventure.

1. Be flexible with flights – Use our guide and Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights and consider flying into Helsinki instead of directly into Lapland.

2. Book accommodation early – Lapland gets booked up fast, especially around Christmas. Booking early can save hundreds, and you’ll have a wider choice of family cabins and budget-friendly stays. We always book through Booking.com, to find the best deal.

3. Self-cater where possible – Eating out in Lapland is expensive, so choosing accommodation with a kitchenette can make a huge difference. Stock up at local supermarkets like K-Market or Lidl — you’ll find everything you need to make easy, hearty family meals.

4. Hire a car to save – If you’re travelling as a family, hiring a car can actually be cheaper than multiple transfers or excursions. It also allows you explore at your own pace, reach free attractions, and find cheaper activities away from the most popular tourist attractions.

5. Mix free and paid activities – Enjoy the beautiful winter wonterland, snowy forests and the free activities available like sledging and visiting Santa Claus Village. Choose just one or two special paid experiences, like a husky safari or reindeer ride.

6. Bring the right gear – Winter activies are so much fun but not when you are cold so make sure you bring the right gear to keep you toasty (a good skiing packing list will provide everything you need). Check out second-hand marketplaces, borrow from friends, or buy cheap gear from online shops like Temu.

7. Plan and book key activities in advance – For paid activities, book ahead online as they often sell out in peak season.

8. Embrace simple moments – Remember our most magical memories were things like toasting marshmallows a kotas, playing in the snow and watching the Northern Lights together. These are the moments your kids will remember most.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide inspires more families to discover the wonder of Lapland without the luxury price tag — because magical moments in the snow, meeting Santa, and chasing the Northern Lights should be memories every family can afford to make.