Lapland in Finland is a magical destination this time of year, offering visitors the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, experience the Northern Lights, and interact with reindeer in the stunning snow-covered scenery.
A parent has arranged a trip to Finland to add some festive cheer and managed to save an impressive £500, making it more affordable than a visit to Lapland UK.
Prior to the holiday season, Jen Carr, 36, from Nottinghamshire, had initially planned a trip to the UK-based winter wonderland with her six-year-old son, a friend, and their son after previously visiting Finland with her family. However, upon researching prices, she found that a visit to the UK destination in either Ascot or Manchester could cost them a staggering £1,100.
Jen shared, “I was inquiring on my social media about the costs of Lapland UK as I know tickets can be competitive and prices can get exorbitant. Several families mentioned spending over £1,000 on Lapland UK for just a day ticket and a hotel.”
Determined not to let expenses derail their Christmas plans, Jen thought, “Can’t we go to real Lapland for that amount?” This prompted her to search for affordable flights on Skyscanner to Lapland, Finland, from various UK locations and different December dates.
Jen discovered that the most cost-effective airports to fly from were Birmingham and London Stansted. She booked direct round-trip flights from Stansted to Finland, departing on Monday, December 15, for £103 per person (£412 total), with hand luggage only.
Although the group of four will need to travel two and a half hours to the airport from Nottinghamshire, they found a way to save more money by parking on someone’s driveway instead of paying for airport parking and getting a drop-off at the airport.
With flights secured, Jen explored accommodation options for a two-night stay. “As we’re booking last minute, much of the lodging in Rovaniemi, the main city where everyone stays, was mostly booked and very expensive,” she noted.
“However, we managed to secure a room at a reindeer farm about an hour’s drive from Rovaniemi, and it was very affordable.” The room cost £187 for two adults and two children for the two-night stay.
“In the main city where everyone goes, it was around £2,000 for two nights, which is incredibly high,” Jen added. Since their stay is an hour away from the main Lapland area, they also arranged a car hire for £147 to drive from the Finland airport to the reindeer farm.
Jen remarked, “We thought it would be in a remote snowy forest area with reindeer, and we might spot the Northern Lights since it’s secluded. We anticipated many free activities like sledding as they provide sledges. Therefore, we won’t need to spend a lot.” She mentioned that the four of them will share one room with a small kitchenette to prepare their meals and a shared bathroom.
“Most people usually consider staying in Rovaniemi, but venturing out a bit could be more pleasant, less crowded, and touristy,” she added.
Regarding their itinerary, Jen explained that they will arrive late in the day and plan to explore the area where they are staying, engage in sledding, feed reindeer, and then drive to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
“I’ve been there before, and it’s free to enter, offering sledding, playgrounds, and various low-cost activities. You can meet Santa Claus at no charge in Santa Claus Village,” she mentioned.
To reduce costs further, they intend to do a supermarket shop for meals, preparing sandwiches or noodles for lunch and pasta for dinners. “We’re bringing our marshmallows to toast since there are many fire pits to use, but buying them there is expensive,” Jen shared.
“Hot chocolates are also pricey, so we’ll bring flasks and our hot chocolate mix to prepare before going out. This way, we can enjoy hot chocolate and marshmallows around a fire without extra expenses,” she added.
By implementing these money-saving strategies, they managed to spend just £149 per person, covering flights and a two-night stay, which is more economical than numerous Lapland UK day out tickets. Apart from petrol for the hire car, the supermarket shopping, and a few activities, they anticipate no other major expenses during their winter trip to Lapland.
For those seeking to save on their next vacation, Jen advised, “Research and flexibility are key. Be open to exploring unconventional options and traveling from less convenient airports to avoid
