Rovaniemi, the gateway to and most famous destination in Finnish Lapland is a dream location for many – as a Christmas fan, it was top of my bucket list for years!
But a trip to Lapland can quickly become expensive. However, when I visited, I used my budget travel knowledge to see if visiting Lapland on a trip is possible!
This guide breaks down the costs of visiting Rovaniemi (in peak season!), including how to visit Lapland on a budget. Let’s break it down!
1. Accommodation
Accommodation in Rovaniemi is definitely on the more expensive side, especially during high season!
For this trip, I stayed in Guesthouse Borealis – which was the cheapest place I could find in Rovaniemi for the dates I was travelling. This cosy guesthouse was warm and welcoming and super clean!
The cost for one night at Guesthouse Borealis €90.37, which was by far the cheapest place to stay in Rovaniemi for the nights I was there!
More luxurious options are definitely available, but staying in a guest house helped me a lot! I also had a kitchen, which meant I saved further money on food.
Click here to take a look at Guesthouse Borealis.
2. Transport
Transport costs in Rovaniemi can quickly add up, particularly if you’re relying on taxis.
But there are a few ways to do it for cheaper!
I took the Santa Claus Express Night Train, costing €89.90 for an overnight trip in a private seated compartment (I didn’t have a bed, and in all honesty, it wasn’t that comfortable!). If I’d booked earlier, I would have got a sleeper cabin with a bed.
Click here to take a look at the Santa Claus Express website.
Once I was in Rovaniemi, getting around required a mix of taxis and public transport.
Bolt taxis are excellent for short trips – one cost me €17.30 for one ride and €14.50 for another.
Buses also run throughout the town. The bus from the centre to Santa Claus’ Village cost €3.50, while the airport bus was €8.
The flight back to London came to €75.58.
Altogether, transport costs for my two days in Rovaniemi came to €205.28.
3. Food and drinks
My regular morning coffee and pastry cost me €8 – €8.50.
But when I wanted something more substantial, the museum café had a buffet for €15 – I thought this was surprisingly good value given the quality and variety of food!
A key highlight was Glögg, a traditional Finnish mulled drink which was priced at €9 and €11.80 on different occasions.
I also bought a pasta ready meal, chocolate bar, banana, and yogurt for €8 and had that for dinner and breakfast.
Lunch at Santa Claus’ Village cost me €18.80 for a burger, sweet potato fries and a dip.
And a bottled water (which I needed as I lost my bottle in Santa Claus Village!) cost €3.
Altogether, food and drink expenses came to €77.80.
4. Attractions and activities
Rovaniemi is a hub for unique Arctic experiences.
Arktikum, a museum and science centre, was a must-visit at just €11; here, exhibits detail Arctic life and culture.
I loved visiting the Husky Park by Santa Claus Village. This cost €15 (just for entrance, doesn’t include any rides or meet and greets!). I saw them up close and was able to pet them. Click here to book Husky Park tickets.
I also enjoyed a Finnish sauna experience and ice dip which came to €27. Click here for more information about WNTR Sauna.
Of course, no trip to Rovaniemi would be complete without a visit to Santa Claus Village!
Sending postcards from the Santa Claus Post Office added €4.25 to the budget.
Altogether, the attractions and activities amounted to €56.05.
6. Total trip cost
The total spending for the trip came to €439.20, divided into the following categories:
- Accommodation: €90.37
- Transport: €205.28
- Food and Drinks: €56.00
- Attractions and Activities: €76.05
- Miscellaneous: €6.50
How to visit Rovaniemi on a budget
Following my trip, here are some tips to visit Rovaniemi on a budget:
- Book accommodation with a kitchen: Choose a place where you can prepare your meals to save on dining out. Shop for groceries locally and pack lunches to take with you on excursions.
- Prioritise key activities: Identify which experiences are most important to you and allocate your budget accordingly. Avoid trying to do everything.
- Opt for alternative activities: Visit the husky park for an affordable way to see huskies without booking a full sledding experience. Similarly, look for less expensive options to enjoy other popular attractions.
- Explore free attractions at Santa Claus’ Village: Take advantage of free activities, like watching the live camera feed, crossing the Arctic Circle, and seeing reindeer rides. These offer a great experience without extra costs.
- Travel during off-peak times: Visit outside school holidays to benefit from lower prices on accommodation and flights while avoiding crowds.
- Fly to Helsinki and take the train: Flights to Helsinki are often cheaper, and the scenic train journey to Rovaniemi is an affordable and memorable alternative.
- Rely on the bus network: Buses in Rovaniemi are reliable and budget-friendly, making them a great way to get around.
- Use ride-hailing services: For short trips, consider using Uber or Bolt as cost-effective alternatives to traditional taxis.
