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Finland

Glass igloos, lake saunas and a real shot at the northern lights. Here is how to plan a winter trip to Lapland.

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Budget per couple$900-$1,500 a day
When to goFor tons of snow and winter activities, December to March is the best time.
Getting aroundFinland has an extensive rail network.

See it before you go

Watch Finland

Glass igloos, lake saunas and a real shot at the northern lights. Here is how to plan a winter trip to Lapland.

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Every Finland video

3 videos from Finland. Pick a place, or start at the top.

Dog Sledding, IvaloSkiing, KittilaStay in Northern Lights Cabins, Lapland
IS DOG SLEDDING ETHICAL? The Bucket List Experience We Now Regret videoVideo

IS DOG SLEDDING ETHICAL? The Bucket List Experience We Now Regret
We went to the viral snowy ski resort in Finland to see what it's like videoVideo

We went to the viral snowy ski resort in Finland to see what it's like
WINTER IN FINLAND (Lapland Travel Vlog) videoVideo

WINTER IN FINLAND (Lapland Travel Vlog)

Plan your trip

Guides for Finland

Itineraries you can steal, plus the tools we use to plan every trip.

Finland: Our 5-Day Itinerary You Can Totally StealItinerary

Finland: Our 5-Day Itinerary You Can Totally Steal

Five days in Finnish Lapland: a glass “igloo” in Ivalo, lake saunas, the northern lights and Levi’s viral…
6 Cold-Weather Getaways Worth the TripGuide

6 Cold-Weather Getaways Worth the Trip

Six winter trips worth bundling up for: Iceland, Zermatt, Aspen, Lapland, Quebec City and more.
The Truth About Dog Sledding in FinlandGuide

The Truth About Dog Sledding in Finland
How to Plan an Around the World ItineraryPlan

How to Plan an Around the World Itinerary

Planning a RTW trip can be a daunting task even if you've been around the world 6 times.
How We Saved Enough Money to Quit Our Jobs and TravelPlan

How We Saved Enough Money to Quit Our Jobs and Travel

We’re here to truly breakdown the numbers and show you exactly how the two of us saved money while living in…

Travel tips

What to know before you go

Straight from our notes on Finland: costs, getting around, where to stay and what to skip.

Per day. Prices from our trips; check current rates before you book.

transportation
Finland has an extensive rail network. Within cities, trams are the preferred form of transportation. Finnish Railways offers excellent inter-city routes. There are also buses and car hire options as well. Domestic flights are also readily available on FinnAir but should be booked in advance.
when to visit
For tons of snow and winter activities, December to March is the best time. For springtime, sun and more nature, April to May is the period. For warm summer days opt for June, July and August. In Finland, most nights are dark enough for Northern Lights viewing from late August to April. Chances of catching them get better the further north you go, and make sure there’s no full moon during your time there.
safety
Finland is statistically the least dangerous place on earth, based on the World Economic Forum's data. It has fairly low crime rates and if you follow common sense and remain vigilant at all times, you should have absolutely no problems in Finland.
where to stay
Aurora Villa in Ivalo: https://auroravillage.com
Levi Ski resort: https://levi.fi/en/ski
language
Finnish and Swedish are the two official languages spoken in Finland. At least 70% of the population can speak English as well.
what can you skip
Dog sledding
trip resources
Airbnb and Agoda are great options for finding accommodation, as well as flights.
what to pack
Tripped travel gear backpack
Tripped Travel Gear packing cubes
Heavy duty winter coat or parka (wind and waterproof are best)
Wool or cashmere sweaters (heavy weight, medium weight and lightweight)
Warm hiking, outdoors, or ski pants.
Thermal base layers
Merino wool socks
War, windproof hat
Warm and waterproof gloves
Wool or cashmere scarf.
Buff/neckwarmer
Waterproof shoes or boots
Swimwear
Skiing or snowboarding gear: https://www.powderhoundshop.com/
Face moisturizer and sunscreen
Sunglasses
Dry bags
what to eat
Karjalanpiirakka (rice pies), Ruisleipa (rye bread), Leipajuusto (bread cheese), Kalakukko (fish pie), Korvapuusti (cinnamon buns), Lihapullat (Finnish meatballs), Graavilohi (cured salmon), Mustikkapiirakka (blueberry pie).

Packing list

What to pack for Finland

Packing lists on video for this trip, plus the carry-on gear we designed after years on the road.

Shop Tripped
How to pack a suitcase to maximize space
Packing cubes vs compression cubes
Carry-On Compression Packing CubesA week of outfits in one carry-on.Shop nowThe Toiletry SetTSA-approved liquids bag included.Shop nowThe Travel Pouch Tech OrganizerEvery cable and battery in one place.Shop now

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