Do you dream of Lapland but don't know if it's within your budget? Here's a breakdown of my Lapland travel budget: everything I spent for 11 days at Rovaniemi, from the plane ticket to the activities, nothing is hidden.
The flight: €97 return
I found my ticket Paris → Rovaniemi with EasyJet in February for only €97 round trip. That's actually why I stayed 11 days: at that price, might as well make the most of it! A trip to Lapland is much more affordable than you might think if you keep an eye out for good deals.
The accommodation
Regarding accommodation, I had two very different experiences. I first found an Airbnb in €660 for 11 days, a really great find, but unfortunately I can no longer share the address as the owner no longer rents it out. I also spent a night in a 5-star hotel with a spa, the’Aito Resort, has €500 per night, An incredible experience, which I dedicated a video to on my page. I'll tell you more about it, along with two other exceptional places, in my article on... 3 unusual accommodations to try in Finnish Lapland.
Where to stay in Rovaniemi without breaking your budget?
Since my Airbnb is no longer available, I've found some apartments for you that look great. I haven't stayed in them myself, but I chose them based on their location, reviews, and value. The prices are for a week for two people in February, during peak season; they often drop outside of holiday periods. The lowest prices include the Booking.com Genius discount. A little tip: book early, as many apartments in the city center are already fully booked in February.
Kaamos Apartment, the most space for the price
This is the cheapest option in our selection, and by far the most spacious: 52 m² with a balcony, fully equipped kitchen, and free parking. It's located in a quiet area about 3 km from the center, with a supermarket right next door and a cross-country ski trail 200 m away. Buses 4 and 5 stop nearby and reach the center in about ten minutes, but it's especially a great choice if you're renting a car. It has an overall rating of 8.1/10, with a cleanliness score of 9.2. Expect to pay around €1,100 per week for two people.
Lapland's Little Retreat, for getting around everywhere on foot
Just 150 meters from the center, you're in the heart of Rovaniemi: restaurants, shops, and tour departures are all within a few minutes' walk. The apartment is small (25 m²) but well-designed, with a double bed, two futons, and a fully equipped kitchenette. Couples rate it 9.7/10. Expect to pay between €1,120 and €1,460 per week for two.
Rovaniemi City Center Apartment, the right compromise
Located 450 meters from the city center, this 37 m² apartment features a proper bedroom, a living room with a sofa bed, a fully equipped kitchen, and a balcony with city views. Guests particularly praise its cleanliness (9.6/10) and location (9.5/10). Expect to pay between €1,320 and €1,470 per week for two people.
Urban Lapland Apartments, private sauna in the heart of the city
My top pick from the selection! Just 350 meters from the center, this 38 m² apartment has its own sauna: the quintessential Finnish experience, without the resort price tag. It also features a fully equipped kitchen and a living room with a sofa bed. It's rated 9.8/10, but based on only about ten reviews so far. Expect to pay between €1,430 and €1,590 per week for two people.
And if you want to treat yourself to an exceptional night like I did, I'll share my favorite spots in my article on... 3 unusual accommodations to try in Finnish Lapland.
None of these apartments match your dates or budget? You can also compare other accommodations in Rovaniemi on Trip.com, directly here:
Car rental
I rented a car for only 3 days with GoMore, the Finnish equivalent of Getaround, between €40 and €100/day. It helped me get to the Aito Resort, a little outside Rovaniemi, and I did a nice little hike along the way. If you book in advance, you can pick up the car yourself, which is very convenient.
I was worried about driving in the snow, but it was actually very easy: it's a little slippery sometimes, nothing too bad. And the cars are well-equipped for winter, including heated seats! For the rest of the trip, the bus was more than enough.
Food
Groceries are roughly the same price as in France, so I mostly did my grocery shopping. However, restaurants are significantly more expensive, so we didn't eat out much.
Activities
Voici les activités que j’ai faites et ce qu’elles m’ont coûté. Pour découvrir toutes mes idées et organiser tes journées sur place, jette un œil à mon guide sur What to do in Rovaniemi.
Husky excursion, €358 for 2 people
With Apukka Resort, for a 2-hour walk (⚠️ the route is now 6km, plus 10km). → Book here
Snowmobile, €190 for 2 people
C’est d’ailleurs un classique en Laponie ! → Book on GetYourGuide
Northern Lights excursion, €170/person
My opinion is somewhat mixed: it's a beautiful experience, but it really depends on the weather. I think it's only worthwhile if you have several days; the chances of seeing them are then much better. → Book on GetYourGuide
Arktikum Museum, €20/person
C’est le bon endroit pour comprendre l’histoire et la culture de la Laponie. C’est aussi très intéressant et accessible ! → Book on GetYourGuide
A recap of my Lapland travel budget
| Job | Amount |
|---|---|
| Return flight (EasyJet) | 97€ |
| Airbnb (11 days) | 660€ |
| 5-star hotel (1 night) | 500€ |
| Car rental (3 days) | ~180 to 300€ |
| Activities | ~€738 for 2 |
| Shopping & Restaurants | ~200 to 300€ |
Tu as des questions sur mon voyage ? Pose-les-moi en commentaire, je te réponds !
Bulk, approximately €1,500 per person for 11 days with a 5-star hotel and all activities. But Lapland doesn't necessarily have to be that expensive: an affordable Airbnb, groceries from home, and 4 or 5 days instead of 11—the budget drops drastically!
FAQ: Lapland travel budget
Is Lapland really expensive?
Less than you might think. Flights can be very affordable (€97 return for me), and groceries cost about the same as in France. What quickly drives up the bill are restaurants, which are significantly more expensive, and especially activities: for example, expect to pay €358 for a husky excursion for two.
What budget should I plan for a trip to Lapland?
For 11 days, I spent around €1,500 per person, including one night in a 5-star hotel and all the activities. Without the extra night and by choosing only one or two activities, you can spend much less.
How much does a 4 or 5 day stay in Lapland cost?
Much less: with a cheap flight, an apartment (around €60 a night for mine) and one or two activities, the budget drops drastically. It's the activities that will make the biggest difference.
What is the cheapest time to travel to Lapland?
Avoid the Christmas and New Year holidays and winter school breaks if you can, when flight and accommodation prices skyrocket. Also, keep an eye out for deals on direct flights: that's how I found my return ticket for €97 in February.
Should you rent a car in Rovaniemi?
Not necessarily. The city center is easily accessible on foot and by bus, and most excursions pick you up. I only rented a car for 3 days with GoMore (between €40 and €100 per day) to get to the Aito Resort, which is a bit out of the way, and do a short hike.
Is it possible to see the Northern Lights without paying for an excursion?
Yes, you just need to get away from the city lights on a clear night. The excursion (€170 per person for mine) mainly increases your chances, as the guide takes you to where the sky is clearest. My opinion: it's worth it if you're staying for several days; otherwise, it all depends on the weather.
Where to stay cheaply in Rovaniemi?
The most economical option is to rent an apartment for the entire duration of your stay. In February, during peak season, you can find highly-rated apartments near the city center starting at around €1,100 per week for two people. I'll present four of them in the accommodation section of this article.
How to get to Rovaniemi cheaply?
EasyJet offers direct flights from Paris to Rovaniemi in winter. I found a return ticket for €97 for February: book early and keep an eye out for deals, prices vary considerably depending on the date.
As a photographer and content creator based near Paris, I share my Muslim-friendly travels, detailed budgets, and tried-and-tested addresses here to help you plan your own trips with peace of mind.
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