Getting there from Dublin
We flew with Finnair from Dublin to Helsinki, then connected from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The flights got us there, but our biggest transport change next time would begin in Helsinki.
We would love to replace that second flight with the overnight Santa Claus Express. Arriving in Rovaniemi by night train would make the journey part of the Christmas experience rather than simply another connection.
The €500 Airbnb that made the numbers work
We stayed in an Airbnb in Rovaniemi and paid approximately €500 for the four-night stay. For a family of four in early December, we considered that a bargain and it gave us a practical base for the attractions we had planned.
Three big family stops
Santa Claus Village delivered the famous Rovaniemi Christmas setting. SantaPark gave the children another Santa-focused experience, while Ranua Wildlife Park added a completely different day built around Arctic animals.
Across the trip we saw the elements children imagine when they hear “Lapland”: Santa, snow, reindeer, huskies and Arctic wildlife. Having several distinct stops mattered on a four-night break because each day felt different.
The cost that surprised us: taxis
Taxis were the expense that caught our attention. Some single journeys cost around €30 one way. On a short trip with several attractions, those fares can quickly change the overall budget.
That figure is simply what we experienced in December 2024, not a guaranteed current fare. If planning the trip again, we would compare the locations of our accommodation and main activities more carefully before booking.
The €500 Airbnb felt like the bargain. The €30 taxi journeys were the reminder that the cheapest accommodation is not the whole transport budget.
Our honest summary
Four nights gave our family enough time for Santa Claus Village, SantaPark and Ranua Wildlife Park, with an Airbnb that kept the accommodation cost close to €500. The trip felt special because it combined the Christmas experiences with real Arctic animals and snow.
Our biggest planning lesson was transport. The flight connection worked, but the overnight train would have made the journey more memorable, and choosing the base around taxi costs could protect the budget.
Planning your own Lapland activities?
Use the Further From Home activity finder to explore ideas. Live prices, availability and cancellation terms are confirmed with the activity provider.
Explore things to do in Lapland →