Quick answer: Three nights is the right length for a first Lapland trip, and January or February is the right month: darker nights for the aurora, enough light to be outside, and reliable snow. Budget £700–£1,400 per person depending on whether you want Santa, a glass cabin or both.
Cite this page: Atravel.uk, “Lapland and the Northern Lights”, updated 12 November 2026. https://atravel.uk/lapland/
What is usually included
| Item | Normally included? |
|---|---|
| Thermal suit, boots, mittens | Yes, with activities and most packages |
| Husky or reindeer safari | One is usually in the package; a second costs £120–£180 |
| Snowmobile trip | Often an extra £130–£200, and you need a driving licence |
| Northern Lights chase | Sometimes included, sometimes £110–£140 |
| Flights and transfers | Yes on a package, no if you build it yourself |
Typical ranges from partner searches, checked 12 November 2026. Prices move with dates, airport and how far ahead you book — always check the live price on the partner site before you commit.
The three trips worth knowing
Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland
Santa, huskies and glass igloos. The Santa Claus Village sits on the Arctic Circle, ten minutes from the airport. Husky and reindeer safaris, snowmobile trips and glass-roofed cabins are all sold as packages, and thermal suits, boots and mittens are normally included because nobody survives -20°C in a coat from home.
- Best months: December to March; late January for the aurora
- Getting there: Direct winter charters from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh, about 3h 30m. Otherwise Helsinki and a domestic hop.
- Typical cost: Typical three-night packages run £900–£1,400 per person with flights, transfers, suits and two activities.
Tromsø, Norway
The aurora, without the theme park. Tromsø is a working city at 69° north with a serious aurora record. Chasing tours run nightly and will drive to clear sky, which matters more than any forecast. Whale safaris run from November into January.
- Best months: Late September to March; January and February for clear cold nights
- Getting there: No direct flight from the UK. About 4h 30m via Oslo or Amsterdam, then ten minutes into town.
- Typical cost: Typical four nights run £700–£1,100 per person, with an aurora chase around £110–£140 each.
Reykjavík, Iceland
Three hours, and a different planet. The shortest winter trip on this list. Northern Lights tours leave the city most evenings, the Golden Circle fills a day and the Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon fills an afternoon. Weather cancels tours regularly, so book the aurora for your first night, not your last.
- Best months: October to March for the aurora; February for longer days
- Getting there: Direct from Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Stansted, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow in about 3h 10m.
- Typical cost: Typical three nights run £450–£750 per person including flights and a city hotel.
What to pack, honestly
Base layer, mid layer, one warm fleece and an outer shell — that is it, because the suit goes over the top. Two pairs of gloves (a thin pair inside), a buff, and hand warmers. Boots come with the suit, so do not buy snow boots for three days.
Bring a power bank: batteries drain in the cold, and the aurora photographs you want are the ones taken at -18°C after an hour of standing still.
Booking it without paying over the odds
Package trips to Rovaniemi in the first two weeks of December sell out by September and cost the most. Going in the second half of January is typically £200–£400 per person cheaper for the same cabin, with better aurora odds and fewer families. If Santa is the point, book December and accept the price.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to see the Northern Lights?
Late January and February, for clear cold nights and enough daylight to do something during the day. September and March are the other good windows. No trip can guarantee them: three nights in Tromsø or Rovaniemi gives you a strong chance, one night is a coin toss.
How cold does Lapland get?
Between -10°C and -25°C in January, occasionally colder. Operators supply thermal suits, boots and mittens with the activities, which is why you do not need to buy expedition kit for a three-night trip.
Is a direct flight available from the UK?
To Rovaniemi, yes, on winter charters from Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol and Edinburgh. Tromsø needs a connection through Oslo or Amsterdam; Reykjavík is direct from most UK airports in about three hours.
Do children need passports?
Yes. Everyone travelling needs a valid passport, including infants, and it must have at least three months left on it.
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