BEST THINGS TO DO IN ROVANIEMI WITH KIDS

INSIDE: Everything you need to know about the Best things to do in Rovaniemi Lapland. Updated 2024.

Rovaniemi in Finland is 800 odd kilometres north of Helsinki.

Rovaniemi is home to the Santa Claus Village, the number one Santa destination in the world.

It’s the place to see the OFFICIAL Santa Claus Post Office, where all the Santa letters in the world end up.

It’s now the Santa capital of the world, and has become a very popular holiday destination for Christmas lovers.

A Rovaniemi holiday in the winter is a very popular trip for Londoners, Europeans, and the odd Australian who can summon up the energy to cross the globe with kids in tow to see Santa in real life.

But visiting Rovaniemi in the summer has charm too.

Take a look below to see what to do in Rovaniemi on a Lapland experience in both the Summer AND Winter.

(We’ve also listed our tips for the best places to stay in Rovaniemi too.)

Disclosure: This article, written by a human (me), without AI input, may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links, we may receive a small commission at NO COST to you. For our Disclosure and Disclaimer statements, and an explanation of our Advertising policy please click here

Table of Contents

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ROVANIEMI WITH KIDS

You can:

see Santa’s reindeer and take a reindeer sleigh ride
go tubing at Snowman World
head up to the Santa Park theme park and bake cookies with Mrs Claus
enjoy a three-course Finnish dinner at the Ice Restaurant, and
cross the Arctic Circle.
visit a Husky farm at the Santa Village
zip along in a husky sled, pulled by a team of husky dog
visit a Reindeer Farm and enjoy a reindeer sleigh ride
visit Ranua Zoo to see the polar bears, lynx, red foxes, elk, and eagles
visit the Elf Farm to pat reindeer, and say hi to local domestic animals

In the winter months, it’s a top spot to try spotting the aurora borealis, the Northern Lights.

Why?

Because the sun only rises for a few hours a day, and it’s VERY dark most of the day!

This is an experience in itself.

RELATED: BEST Finland Souvenirs and Finnish Food Gifts for Family and Friends (UNIQUE!)

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ROVANIEMI IN WINTER

Planning your Rovaniemi holidays during winter?

This is the busy season leading up to Christmas.

There’s LOTS of things to do in Rovaniemi at Christmas including Santa activities, but be sure to save some time for snow adventures too.

I’ve listed a quick overview below, but click this blue link to find everything to you need to know about visiting the Santa Claus Holiday Village in Rovaniemi, the official home to Santa Claus himself.

No.1: See Santa in Lapland

Here’s a couple of highlights.

The best Lapland holidays include a visit to Santa in Lapland.

Don’t think that Lapland is just for kids.

You definitely don’t need a child of your own to visit.

Lapland for ADULTS is just as much fun!

(There’s an Ice Restaurant and an Ice Bar for goodness sake!)

You will NEVER EVER regret a trip to meet Santa in Lapland.

I guarantee it.

Kids have so many questions about Santa.

Where does Santa live?
Where is Santa located?
Does Santa live in Lapland?

Here you can ask him these questions yourself!

Santa’s Main Office

If you are planning to visit Rovaniemi with kids on a Santa Claus holiday, take a day trip to Santa Claus Village.

(Or book a few nights stay here to really get the most out of it.)

At Santa Village, you need to head to the Main Santa Claus office to meet the OFFICIAL Santa in Lapland.

You’ll be invited in for a private meeting with Santa, and a professional photographer will take your family photo. (No obligation to buy.)

Normally kids write a letter to Santa, find out Santa’s postal address, pop it into the Santa Post Office box, and then wait for official letters from Santa.

But when you book a trip to Rovaniemi, you don’t need to post your Santa letter. You can hand deliver your Christmas letter to Santa in person.

Entry to Santa’s Office in Finnish Lapland is FREE.

Santa Claus Post Office

Next, stop by the official Arctic Circle post office.

You’ll see the destination for hundreds and thousands of letters all addressed to Santa, plus you can buy a postcard to send back home.

You may like to write a letter to family and friends back home while you are here, and post it from the official Post Office in Santa Village.

The Lapland Post Office in Rovaniemi is where you can have your letter or postcard franked (stamped) with an official North Pole postmark.

Pay for a stamp and they’ll stamp your letter with this special Arctic Circle postmark.

Santa’s post office is open daily, 365 days a year.

This is one of the best things to do in Rovaniemi for free.

(There’s not a lot of free activities around in winter)

The Post Office shop is worth a visit to gather all the best Lapland souvenirs!

No.2: Meet and Greet Husky Dogs

Meet more than 100 husky dogs at the Husky Park.

You can book a short or medium length Husky safari from here too.

This is a fabulous winter activity in Rovaniemi for kids and adults alike.

No.3: Ride in a reindeer sleigh or sled

A Lapland Christmas is not complete without a visit to a Reindeer Farm, and Reindeer sleigh rides or a sledge.

You can also take a short reindeer sleigh ride in the Santa Village but to see a reindeer herd, you need to head out on a tour.

Try this popular one with Get Your Guide where you can learn about the life of a reindeer on a traditional Sami reindeer farm, try for your Reindeer driving licence, and enjoy blueberry tea and warm cookies inside a kota hut by the fire.

Or this one where you can watch reindeers eating their breakfast, takes lots of pics up close, and enjoy a short reindeer sleigh trip too

Image credit: Jan Hertecant from Pixabay

No.4: Visit a Reindeer Farm Rovaniemi

There are also different companies, based in Santa Claus Village, that offer reindeer safaris.

Join this tour to visit a traditional Reindeer Farm in Lapland.

On this reindeer safari Rovaneimi style, you’ll spend three hours:

Learning about Finland reindeer herding and the herding lifestyle
Feeding and patting these magical animals

A short sledge ride in your own sledge, plus warm tea and biscuits are included in the price.

Raitola Reindeer Farm Rovaniemi Finland

Your other options to see Lapland reindeer in their natural habitat are:

Raitola Husky and Reindeer farm near Rovaniemi,
a tour to the Reindeer fence

Reindeer Safari Northern Lights Chase

Another option is to book a Northern Lights Reindeer safari

Depending on the weather, you may or may not see these streaks of magic across the sky, but you will have had an experience to remember.

It’s also a chance to talk with a Reindeer herder, and learn all about the Reindeer’s seasonal cycle.

Here’s a whole day tour alternative for animal lovers:

Rovaniemi Arctic Animals Full Day Tour – Visit Husky Park, Ride in a Reindeer Sledge, & Visit Ranua Wildlife Park

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

No.5: Visit Snowman World

Snowman World is the place to go tubing down icy channels.

The big one is FAST and will take your breath on the corner swing!

Go ice skating, slip down the indoor ice slide, and possibly meet a “Snow Man” character in real life if you happen to be in Snowman World at the right time.

Head into the Ice Restaurant and Ice Bar to look at all the ice sculptures.

Hungry? You will be.

Book a traditional Finnish lunch, or dinner here.

It’s a unique experience you won’t find anywhere else.

Book Now: Snowman World Winter Zone Ticket (Likely to sell out)

No.6: Cross the Arctic Circle Line in Rovaniemi

There’s a number of places you can enact an Arctic Circle crossing in Lapland, and the easiest one is at Santa Claus Holiday Village.

If you visit the Elf Farm in the village, you can borrow their equipment to snow-slide cross the Arctic Circle on traditional Lappish skis.

Pop into the Arctic Circle Tourist Information Office there to buy your Arctic Circle crossing certificate.

While you are there, book one of the many tours you can take by snowmobile or sledge or husky ride to cross the Arctic circle a little further afield.

No.7: Santa Park Rovaniemi

Did you know there’s a Santa theme park in Finland?

There is.

It’s just 2km up the road from Santa Village.

Roam the Gnome and I were thrilled at the sight of twinkly lights along the fairy walkways, the holiday decor and Christmas decorations, and the Christmas theming from the spectacular entrance tunnel right throughout.

Santa Park looks a delight!

The downside is the cost of entrance and souvenirs.

In fact, some would say this place is guilty of souvenir overkill.

But if you can bear that, it’s a nice way to spend a few hours in Lapland with toddlers and preschoolers.

Santa Park Arctic World is an indoor theme park.

It’s the best Santa experience for little kids, because it’s indoors and all under the one roof and that means no-one has to brave the -20° degrees celsius weather outside.

It’s the best place to keep babies, toddlers and preschoolers warm, while they play and enjoy ALL the Santa Park activities.

Here’s a list of the best activities to do at Santa Park.

No.1: Elf School

Enrol the kids in Elf School.

This is the most fun they’ll ever have at school.

But you’d better hope you are short.

Elf doors are made for tall people.

Our Head Elf teacher was hilarious, full of life, and simply fabulous.

Her Elf translator sidekick was a much quieter personality, and a little bland.

But Head Elf didn’t let that stop her.

At Elf School, kids (and parents) can

learn the language of Elf speak
discover how Elves wrap presents ready for Santa
undertake study in Geography (as Santa needs to know where he’s going)
see what happens in the daily life of an Elf as they go about their business.

Plus learn important skills such as:

Peeking Through The Windows, and
The Importance of Kindness.

Elf School was very very busy with day tripper crowds, so we had to wait for a second session, but the Elf teachers were accommodating and tried their very best to keep everyone happy.

Once inside, the show was a hoot.

And well worth the wait.

Don’t miss it.

Be sure to collect the kid’s Elf Diplomas on the way out!

No.2: See the Lapland Elf Show

Don’t miss the Elf Show either.

The performance schedule for the day is posted near the entrance.

When we visited, the show was on at 12, 2pm and 4pm.

Elf performances are full of energy, laughter and fun.

This was our favourite thing at Santa Park, even though we had to sit on the floor to watch it.

The Elf Show and Elf School were the two activities that we felt gave us our money’s worth.

No.3: Elf Workshop

At the Elf Workshop, there’s elf craft activities to do.

Kids can decorate their own elf on a timber round.

Or do as Jack did, and make a Reindeer face.

There’s no rules.

Or make a Christmas card using paint and popsicle sticks.

Let them dry, then take them home with you.

No.4: Santa Park Activity Zone for Kids

In between the Elf Workshop, and the Elf School, there’s a top spot for kids to play and run off some energy.

There’s two ball games.

The one for the bigger kids is a dual ball competition where two teams try to beat one another throwing balls into a hoop, working against the clock.

The second one is like one of those arcade games where you throw your ball at a distance into one of three different sized holes – a Bear, some kind of cat, and a Red Fox.

These games were definitely more attractive for boys than girls.

Luckily, the Elf workshop is right next door, so if your kids are more into craft than ball games, you can still keep on eye on both of them while they do their thing.

No.5: Santa Park Elf Train Ride

Kids can hop on the magic train and take a ride through the enchanting magical worlds of the Elves headquarters

While it’s not Disney, this ride is actually very cute once you are inside, and it takes you through many different worlds of Christmas.

The Santa Elf Train was a lovely unexpected surprise, although one we did have to queue for.

Hot tip: Head over this way when Elf School is about to start and you’ll miss some of the crowds.

No.6: Bake with Mrs Gingerbread at Santa Park

Kids can decorate their own gingerbread cookie in Mrs Gingerbread’s Kitchen, and then eat them in this cosy place.

You can order a cup of warm glögi on the side if you are prepared to pay the price.

Expect bill shock.

3 euro each, to decorate a cookie with a squeeze of icing sugar glue and sprinkles.

Plus a whole lot more for an emergency bottle of water, as we were all dying of thirst and I’d forgotten our bottle.

For the cost of entrance, I assumed this activity would be included, but NO.

No.7: Visit the Santa Park Ice Gallery

Take a warm coat and head inside the Ice Gallery to see all the frozen sculptures, and if you are game, stay in the cold icy room to enjoy a drink at the ice bar.

(Another extra cost, of course, and you had to serve it yourself. Just follow the instructions on the note.)

I’d heard there was an Ice Princess to meet who can tell you about the different ice sculptures, and how they were made, but she was obviously at a hair appointment when we visited.

Inside the Santa Park Igloo

Sitting inside an ice igloo was something you can’t do everyday, so the boys thought this was cool.

MORE Activities at Santa Park Arctic World

The following activities are all similar to what you’ll find at the Santa Claus Village.

If you have, or are planning to meet the OFFICIAL Santa in Lapland, or visit the Official Santa Post Office IN the Santa Village, there’s no reason to spend too much time doing these Santa Park activities, or it may confuse the kids.

You won’t miss out on much if you skip them entirely.

Santa Park Post Office

Drop into Santa’s post office at Santa Park to send your Christmas greetings back home.

There is a cute Santa post office set up here if you want to WATCH the Christmas mail being sent off on it’s way.

Do take a look!

Meet Santa at Santa Park in Lapland

The highlight of any visit to Santa Park for many families is to meet Santa in the secret grotto and take a family Christmas photo, but only if you won’t see Santa elsewhere.

Confused and not sure which one to visit? We compare them here.

Crossing the Arctic Circle Underground at SantaPark Lapland

This is the only place IN THE WORLD where you’ll cross the Arctic Circle UNDERGROUND, although that in itself is a bit underwhelming.

We had to ask staff to point it out to us, and then we realised we’d already walked under the archway.

(You can buy a certificate to commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime event)

Where to eat at Santa Park Restaurant?

Rovaniemi Santa Park is home to Cafe Kotakahvio.

Sit and eat while you enjoy the Elf Show, if you can find a seat.

While it’s a huge room, the tour groups of day trippers do take up a lot of space.

It’s an all-you-can-eat buffet meal, open from 11am to 4pm.

Adults are 18,90 euro, and children are 12,90 euro.

There are also some snacks and drinks available, however the prices are exorbitant.

Do BYO water, or stay thirsty!

Inside the Santa Park Gift Shop

Santa Park is a shopper’s delight.

In fact, there is almost too much to choose from.

There’s all the normal range of Lapland Christmas souvenirs.

But there’s one section that’s a little more upmarket, with dressy coats, artworks, cashmere throws and beanies, puffer vests, and tote bags.

Find it on the left after the Post Office, along a white washed wall.

Here’s a few of the things you’ll find.

Santa Park Mugs

Santa ornaments

Husky Soft Toys & Reindeers

Reindeer Stuffed Toys.

These white ones cost 19,50 euro each

MORE Plush Reindeer Toys…

The most adorable of the lot?

These cute red fox toys!

Unique Santa Football shirts

Football fans should keep an eye out for the red and white Adidas shirts with SANTA CLAUS 25 on them, on the right as you exit.

These shirts makes a fun but quality gag gift for soccer fanatics.

There’s plenty of Santa Hats, but the most practical gift is a Santa Park water bottle.

Santa Park Arctic World – Location, Tickets, Opening Hours

Santa Park address: Tarvantie 1, 96930 Arctic Circle, Finland
Website: Click here

Santa Park opening hours

Santa Park in Finland is open at these times below:

Month of November – 10.00 – 17.00 daily
December to Early January – 10.00 – 18.00 daily
Early January to Mid January – 10.00 – 17.00 daily

Exception: Christmas Eve is open from 10.00 – 16.00

Santa Park Finland prices

Children under 3 years old are FREE!

November

34,00 € / adult
28,00 € / child (3-12 years old)

1 December – 21 December

35,00 € / adult
29,00 € / child (3-12 years old)

22 December – 11 January

36,00 € / adult
30,00 € / child (3-12 years old)

How to get to Santa Park from Santa Village

Wondering how to get to Santa Park Rovaniemi from Santa Village?

Catch a cab from the taxi rank outside Santa Village and drive the distance.

It costs about 15 euro for the one-way trip.

Although it IS possible to walk there from Santa Village if it’s not too icy, I wouldn’t walk if you have kids in tow.

There is no dedicated pathway in the snow, and it’s sketchy to walk alongside the cars on slippery roads!

It’s SAFER and quicker to catch a taxi, or organise a transfer from the village.

Santa Express Bus from Santa Park to Santa Village

The best way BACK from Santa Park to Santa Claus village is by bus.

The Santa Express bus runs in one direction, so you can catch it BACK from Santa Park to Santa Holiday Village but not on the way there (unless you want to travel the whole loop).

One way tickets are 3.50 euro for adults, and 1.80 euro for kids.

It’s cheaper than a taxi, that’s for sure.

Santa Park is an 8km drive from Rovaniemi City centre on the Santa Express bus, or in a taxi, but only 2km from the Rovaniemi airport.

There’s free parking if you are driving by car.

Would I recommend Santapark Arctic world?

That’s the million dollar question.

Yes, but only if you have children no older than 7.

It’s a bit hit and miss for older kids, although the boys were entranced by the two Elf shows.

Santa Park is also a little too contrived for me.

I’d much prefer to spend the time playing in the snow at Santa Village, and see the Elves at Joulukka Forest.

(Joulukka is expensive, operated by Santa Park also, BUT this tour is worth EVERY CENT. Find all the details below)

No.8: Ride on a Snowmobile

This is a fabulous experience you should not miss. Hop on a snowmobile at least once during your Christmas holiday in Lapland.

The wind in your hair, the power of the snowmobile in your control, and powdery snow underground – riding a snowmobile makes you feel alive!

Kids can join in the fun of gliding over frozen ground as they sit in a sledge pulled by the guide’s snowmobile.

You can visit the Arctic Circle Snowmobile Park in Santa Claus Village for:

short snowmobile rides
longer snowmobile safaris through the Rovaniemi forests on a 30 minute or 60 minute tour.
snowmobile sledge rides to the Northern Lights.

Kids can try a 10 minute mini snowmobile on a Skidoo (kids snowmobile) on the child-friendly track.

Book now:

3 Hour Family Snowmobile Safari from Santa Claus Village

5 hour Snowmobile Safari AND Ice Fishing experience (this is a popular tour, and likely to sell out)

This shot was taken in the forest at 11pm at night. It’s hard to get away from the lights of the city.

No.9: See the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi

Book a Northern lights tour to head into nature, away from the lights and action, to find a peaceful quiet spot to chase the aurora borealis.

The best time to view the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi is during the winter, from mid December to February, when Rovaniemi is blanketed in darkness for hours a day.

There’s no guarantee of seeing the Northern Lights, which makes it even more special when you do.

Hot tip: Strengthen your odds by choosing a starry cloudless night, on an evening when temps are lower than -10 degrees celsius.

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

Cross your fingers and toes when you book a tour to see the Rovaniemi northern lights at Christmas time.

Sadly there’s no guarantees, but that’s half the magic.

Not everyone gets to see the Northern lights, and that means it’s a great story to tell when you do.

The old wives tale is if you don’t see the Northern Lights, you’ll be lucky in love.

Both ways, you’re a winner.

Book Now: Rovaniemi Northern Lights Sledge Ride by Snowmobile Tour. (It’s the same one we did)

No.10: Santa Fun Day Tour

If you want to give your family an experience of the best traditional Finland activities for kids, book this Santas Fun Day Rovaniemi tour.

This tour takes place at North Camp Vikajärvi – a place for a relaxing vacation in the middle of the beautiful Finnish nature by the stunning wilderness lake.

During the day, you’ll try different traditional Finnish winter activities that are fun for the whole family.

And you’ll get to eat traditional Finnish food and hot drinks by the campfire inside the koti hut.

This Lapland Experience was one of our favourite things to do in Rovaniemi at Christmas time in the snow.

We are SO happy we were able to leave Santa Village and head out further into the surrounding countryside to see spectacular untamed snowy forests and experience a frozen lake.

Santa Fun Day is a BIG DAY of Lappish children’s games and activities in a Lapland snowy forest including:

snowmobiling by sleigh
mini skidoo rides for the kids (they will LOVE this!)
ice fishing
snowshoeing
toboggan carousel
playing ice games
lassoing
making your own snow sculpture
a little snack of the most incredibly delicious sausage, and a hot drink by the campfire.

Price: 115€/adult, 75€/child.

Duration of the tour is 4 hours.

You will meet the guide at the Santa Claus Holiday Village reception at 12:00 am.

This program can also include pick up / drop off Rovaniemi city hotels. Pick up time from city central hotels are approx. 30 min – 15 min before program start time.

Possible pick up hotels are:

Scandic hotel
Santa Claus Hotel
City hotel
Arctic Light hotel
Sokos hotel Vaakuna
Hotel Pohjanhovi
Sky hotel Ounasvaara

No.11: Meet the Elves at the Santa Claus Toy Factory on the Secret Forest of Joulukka Tour

Wow. oh Wow.

As far as we believe, there’s only one place you can meet REAL Lapland Elves.

The Lapland elves with pointy ears, and adorable outfits reside at Secret Forest of Joulukka, and you can book one of three tours to visit the Joulukka forest.

We booked the Santa’s Toy Factory experience.

This was one of the most magical days of my life.

It’s not the cheapest Santa experience for the short time you are there, but if you can save up some extra funds, we highly recommend it.

It’s the best Santa Lapland experience for a whole immersion in the world of Santa, away from hundreds of tourists visiting Santa Claus village.

Click here and scroll down to the section on Day Tours you can take from Santa Claus Holiday Village to read a really comprehensive overview of this tour.

One word – magical!

MORE OF THE BEST TOURS IN ROVANIEMI IN WINTER

Rovaniemi Snow Shoeing and Ice Fishing tour – there can be no tour more authentic than this one
Enjoy a fun and fast day of Ice Karting around snowy tracks, racing family & friends. This is a unique activity for everyone!

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

BEST THINGS TO DO IN ROVANIEMI IN SUMMER

Looking for a UNIQUE Rovaniemi Lapland experience?

Then head there in Summer.

It’s pristine, and pure, and the air is like nothing else we’ve ever experienced.

Clean and healthy.

Best Rovaniemi Summer activities?

Visit Rovaniemi in summertime, where you can:

go berry picking (Be sure to take your Finnish kuksa cup with you.)
pick up a fishing rod, and go fishing
take a ride on an ATV during the golden hour of the Midnight Sun
hike in nature,
eat a three course meal of Finnish cuisine like a local in the wilderness
go on a moose watching expedition,
join in a Midnight Sun photography tour
take a summer Finnish sauna, or
learn some of the local crafts such as making a Sami bracelet, or crafting using wood or reindeer antlers.

Join in the Midsummer celebrations too.

There’s plenty of other activities in Rovaniemi including:

festivals
music
crafting activities such as making flower garlands
art exhibitions, and more.

Ask at the local information centre about upcoming events during your stay.

And as the summer fades into autumn, you can also go mushroom picking too.

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

No.1: Santa Village Summer activities

If you visit Rovaniemi in Summer, you can enjoy different types of activities at the Santa Village including:

a chance to shop at the Santa Village stores in comfort instead of icy temperatures
cuddling the husky dogs up close and personal (it’s called Husky therapy)
meeting the reindeer at the reindeer farm, and taking on the role of reindeer keeper (something you can’t do in winter)
hiking around the Arctic circle, or
crossing the Arctic Circle line on a bike ride!

There’s lots of time to explore and travel about too, as it’s the time of the Midnight Sun, and the nightless night in June and July.

Plus, your photography will be improved instantly.

Winter is no good for taking good pics because of the low light.

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

No.2: Visit the Arktikum Science Centre in Rovaniemi

Arktikum is a museum that lets you experience northern nature, culture, and history up close.

This museum is a fab spot to teach kids about the local Indigenous people, the Sami, as well as Nordic phenomena.

Click here for the inside scoop including entry fees, opening hours etc

No.3: The Pilke Science Centre

Explore the forests of Lapland with hands-on activities at the interactive Science Centre Pilke at the Arktikum.

Kids can:

Get behind the wheel of a forestry machine
Climb into a bird house
Meet the Pilke mascot, Tuksu the pine weevil
Sing karaoke on an ant hill.

Click here for details of The Pilke Science Center opening times, prices etc.

Image credit: VR

No.4: Vist the Korundi House of Culture

This is an art and culture museum with rotating exhibitions.

Meet the artist of the month, and see contemporary exhibitions by artists attempting to understand the world around them.

Hot tip: Visit all three (Arktikum, Pilke and Korundi) on a Culture Pass to save money. 50 Euro for 2+2, or 1 + 3 Children must be 7-15. Children 6 and under enter for free. Ticket valid for 7 days.

No.5: Forestry Museum of Lapland

The Forestry Museum of Lapland presents the cultural heritage of Lapland’s forestry history through exhibitions, stories, photographs and videos.

This outdoor museum is mainly open in the summer.

Book a Lumberjack Experience to learn the basic methods of working with timber, such as two-man cross cut saw and timber barking.

After all that work, enjoy warm beverages by an open fire.

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

No.6: Ranua Zoo

Book a tour to Ranua Wildlife Park to see the polar bears, elk, otters, lynx, red foxes, the eagles and other animals.

It’s so much easier (and more fun) to visit Ranua Zoo in the summer when it’s light.

In the winter, you have to take a torch with you to see the animals in the late afternoon!

A brand new children’s playground and park will open in 2020, along with a new Tiger Park, opening 1st of May 2020.

Ranua Zoo from Rovaniemi is about 80 km south of the town, and takes approximately an hour’s drive.

Book your Day Tour here through Get your Guide.

Image Credit: TheThreeSisters via Flickr CC BY 2.0

No.7: Visit the Angry Birds Playground in Rovaniemi

This is one for the kids.

Head to the Angry Birds Playground in Rovaniemi city centre, just a few minutes walk from town along the riverbank. You’ll see all the Angry Birds characters keeping an eye on the prize.

There’s a giant climbing frame, twisty slides, toddler bouncers, walking platforms, swings and more.

Plus, lots of space to run around.

Find it on Valtakatu-street. (Valtakatu 4, 96100)

Image credit: Visit Lapland

No.8: Take a day trip to the Amethyst Mine

Did you know there’s the only amethyst mine in Europe and it’s just a few hours away from Rovaniemi in Luosto?

Visit the Lampivaara amethyst mine to search and dig for your very own Amethyst crystal.

An Amethyst mine tour includes learning about amethyst, how it is mined (it’s environmentally friendly), hearing the stories and the myths about this precious purple gemstone.

You’ll be taken on a snow train wagon called a pendolino, pulled by a snow machine.

Tours also include refreshments including warm berry juice, and a keepsake of purple amethyst.

This is a one-of-a-kind experience.

Book now:

Amethyst Mine Tour to Luosto from Rovaniemi hotels (Get your Guide tour)

Jewels of Lapland Tour

BEST ROVANIEMI TOURS IN SUMMER

Our three favourite tours are:

Rovaniemi City Photography Tour – 2 hours to explore this Finnish city with a local
Rovaniemi Wilderness Tour – 3 hours to try and spot the tracks of local Finnish wildlife including wolves, lynx, wolverines, moose, reindeer, and weasels.
take a Lapland cuisine cooking class (and learn about Lappish food and culture)

You can also try one of these 5 fun activities to do in Rovaniemi in Summer.

Image credit: Visit Finland Rovaniemi

WHAT TO DO IN ROVANIEMI ON A RAINY DAY

Wondering what to do in Rovaniemi on a rainy day?

Why not:

see a show at the Rovaniemi Theatre, or
visit the Rovaniemi City Library?

WHERE TO STAY IN ROVANIEMI WITH KIDS

The Best Rovaniemi Hotels for Families

The FIRST thing you need to do when planning a trip to Santa, before even thinking about booking the Helsinki to Rovaniemi overnight train, is to BOOK your Rovaniemi Hotels accommodation.

Do this first.

Here’s a tip: If you are planning to visit Santa in Lapland in December, you need to book your accommodation at least 12 months in advance.

The closer to Christmas Day you want to visit, the earlier you need to book.

No.1: Santa Claus Holiday Village

The best place to stay in Rovaniemi in Lapland at Christmas with kids is the Santa Claus Holiday Village in Rovaniemi.

The Santa Claus Village is smack bang in the centre of the action, and that’s where you want to be.

Staying at Santa Village Rovaniemi is a magical escape from real life.

See the festive decorations, garlands, and lights at Santa Claus holiday village when you take holidays in Lapland at Christmas.

Look out for a Christmas tree outside your hotel room, AND you can even book a special personal, private family visit from Santa to your cabin!

Santa Claus Village Rovaniemi is a winter wonderland and a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

I booked the Santa Claus Holiday Inn direct through the hotel in November of the previous year.

13 months in advance.

Hotel Booking sites aren’t even open to taking bookings then, and the flight schedules aren’t ready for release either, so you have to take a punt and cross your fingers you can find cheap flights to Lapland to coincide with your dates.

CHECK LATEST PRICES FOR SANTA CLAUS HOLIDAY VILLAGE ON BOOKING.COM

The other four highly recommended accommodation in Rovaniemi to try are listed below.

No.2: Santa’s Glass Igloos on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi

You can also book a stay at the Rovaniemi Igloo hotel in the Santa Village.

There are 71 luxurious glass igloos with glass roofs at this hotel in the Santa Claus Village.

Snowman World Glass resort apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows, their own personal sauna, and a private outdoor hot tub.

Plus, they are only a few hundred metres walk away from the Santa Claus Post office.

Want to watch the Lapland sky at night from your bed? This is the place.

CHECK LATEST PRICES ON BOOKING.COM

Image credit: Snowman Glass Resort Rovaniemi

No.3: Glass Resort

Looking for accommodation in Lapland with a difference?

Santa’s Igloos are the instagram-famous glass-roofed igloos about 8km from the city of Rovaniemi.

These posh apartments have a shape inspired by the traditional Kota buildings favoured by the Indigenous Sami people.

The giant sized windows, and the glass ceiling make you feel like you are in an upmarket glass igloo! Staying here is a magical experience where you wake up in the middle of a snowy forest. If you are lucky, you might even spy the Northern Lights from your bed!

This is the spot to stay if you fancy a chance at seeing the aurora borealis from your cosy bed!

Each Superior Glass Apartment features a sauna, equipped mini-kitchen AND your own private outdoor spa.

Make use of it!

CHECK LATEST PRICES ON BOOKING.COM

Image credit: Nova Skyland Hotel

No.4: Nova Skyland Hotel and Restaurant

Another accommodation in Santa Village is the Nova Skyland hotel.

Think modern Scandinavian design, with blonde timbers and minimalist design, with a gigantic floor to ceiling window that lets you peer out into the snowy forests.

Each cabin has a personal sauna of course, and a log fire!

It’s walking distance to everything in the Santa Village too.

The Nova Skyland hotel apartments have a terrace, fully equipped kitchen, and high ceilings.

CHECK LATEST PRICES ON BOOKING.COM

No.5: Arctic Snow Hotel

The Arctic SnowHotel is your unique chance to sleep in a hand-carved building made from blocks of ice, and sleep on a transparent bed made from snow and ice!

It’s not for everyone, but it’s definitely a story to tell.

Breakfast is included.

Hot tip: If things get too cold in the night, you can move to a warm area to continue sleeping.

You get a certificate celebrating your overnight stay too!

Check latest prices here

Image credit: Kieppi chalet

No.6: Log Cabins in Lapland

If you are desperate for a stay in a Log Cabin in Lapland, try Kieppi chalet in Rovaniemi. (pictured above)

It has ski in and out access, a private sauna, and is surrounded by Finnish woodlands.

You can’t find a more magical log cabin!

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

WHAT TO BUY IN ROVANIEMI FOR SOUVENIRS

No.1: Rovaniemi Shopping Centre

Head straight to the LAURI Handicraft shop and Atelier, or the Arctic Design shop.

You don’t need to look much further if you are after local and authentic gifts and souvenirs from Finland with style.

You can also check out the Shopping Centre Revontuli, or the Sampokeskus Shopping Centre for a bigger selection of stores.

No.2: Santa Claus Village Shopping

Visit the Santa Village shops.

Don’t miss:

the Santa Village Post Office gift shop or
the Main Office of Santa Claus gift shop, or
our favourite, the Christmas House shop.
Arabia Iittala Rovaniemi
Marimekko Outlet in Rovaniemi for those who love this famous designer.

There’s Fazer’s Chocolate and Candy Shop for those with a sweet tooth desperate to try Finnish chocolate.

Pick up authentic Finnish souvenirs at Balmuir store, Lappituote and the famous knife shop, Marttini

Don’t miss picking up a real Finnish Lapland woollen jacket from Saga gifts.

And definitely buy some of the traditional Finnish food including:

locally made Finnish jam
tinned reindeer meat (!) or
Finnish porridge.

Hot tip: Stop by the Moomin shop in the Santa Claus Gift House for the cutest Finnish souvenirs you’ll ever find!

Grab all your Christmas ornaments and Christmas souvenirs at Christmas House gift shop here too.

They are open all year round, and have a stack of traditional Finnish Christmas sculptures, dolls, toys, and ornaments for the tree.

As well as LOTS of Husky soft toys!

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

FAQ ABOUT ROVANIEMI LAPLAND

No.1: Where is Rovaniemi?

800 km north of Helsinki.

No.2: What is the Helsinki to Rovaniemi distance?

The distance between Helsinki and Rovaniemi via train is 705 km.

It’s 852 kilometres from Helsinki to Rovaniemi by car.

No.3: Where is Lapland located?

It’s the northern part of Finland, AND Sweden, Norway, and Russia

No.4: Is Lapland a country?

No, Lapland is a region, covering the top third of Finland (and stretching across the other Nordic countries and Russia mentioned above).

No.5: Is Lapland a REAL country?

Well, that sounds like it’s a question for Santa himself.

The answer is yes and no.

It’s a real place, (and you can visit Santa there at his modern day abode in Rovaniemi these days), but officially Lapland is a region within the four countries mentioned above.

No.6: What’s the Rovaniemi weather like?

Visiting in summer is pleasant, with temps between 15-25 degrees in June and July, peak summer.

Winter can get down to -30 degrees or lower in January, the coldest month.

Rug up in all your layers, and snow boots. Expect to use a Finnish sauna at the end of each day to thaw out!

If you are heading to Santa Village, you can expect day time temperatures to be in the ranges below.

December: -20 to -10 degrees Celsius
January: -30 to -15 degrees Celsius
February: -20 to -15 degrees Celsius

It’s way colder at night. BRRR.

Check the weather in Rovaniemi this week here.

Guests staying in Lapland at the Santa Claus Village can hire the snow suits (and snow boots if you need) for the entire trip.

If you rent the set, an all-in-one thermal snow suit + winter boots, the price is 20€ for the first day and 5€ for each following day.

If you need only one thing, eg the snow suit or the snow boots, the cost is 10 euro for the first day, and 5 euro per day after that.

You don’t need to reserve thermal clothing or snow boots in advance.

It is always better to try upon arrival which size fits the best.

No.7: When does it snow in Rovaniemi?

Anytime from December onwards.

But occasionally as early as October, or as late as mid December.

Snow on ground typically lasts throughout January to March, and into the beginning of April.

But the snow season changes each year and is unpredictable in current times.

It’s tricky to predict, but historically, there’s permanent snow from early December to early-mid April.

The safe bet is not to book your Lapland Christmas trip any earlier than mid-December to be on the safe side.

Definitely not before the first week of December at a pinch.

Playing in the deep permanent snow at Rovaniemi is one of the best memories you can make with your kids.

Hot tip: If you stay at Santa Claus Holiday park, they give you a sledge to use on the snow for the duration of your stay!

Click here to find the latest Rovaniemi snow report.

We encourage you to bookmark the page.

No.8: What to wear in Lapland in Winter?

Planning a visit to Lapland in Winter?

Be prepared, especially if you are traveling with kids.

The cost to buy extra snow and winter here is outrageous.

Bring what you can.

It’s COLD.

Really cold.

Our research had shown temperatures of – 20° to – 25° celsius, but am happy to report that temperatures during our recent visit to Lapland in December ranged from + 2° celsius, down to – 10° celsius.

Not nearly as bad as we’d expected.

Still cold, but not unbearably so unless the snow got INSIDE our snow suits and boots.

Thank goodness.

Because any colder, and we would have been triple layering our thermals, and tripling our gloves, despite feeling like a puffer fish.

If you are wondering about the specifics of how many layers to wear in Lapland, or what shoes to wear in Lapland, or what trousers to wear in Lapland, read on.

LOTS of layers.

Thermal underwear, long sleeved shirts and pants, covered by thermal suits and waterproof boots.

It’s the only way to get around without freezing your bum off.

Here’s a collection of our tips and suggestions for clothing advice for Lapland to help you and your family stay warm, dry, and happy during this most epic of adventures.

LAPLAND WINTER PACKING LIST

As family travellers, with just carry on luggage, space is at a premium.

This is what we brought with us for our Lapland winter vacation holidays, the final destination of our six week European winter road trip. And it all fit into three carry on bags, and one small day pack.

Check out this warm clothes list of what to park for Finland in winter.

Base Layers – Underwear

7 x underwear per person (3 x bra’s for me also) to save having to wash more than once a week
4 x singlets per person

Thermal clothing – what layers to wear in Lapland

2 x thermal underwear sets per person.
Can be worn one on top of the other if necessary.

Warm tops

3 x thick warm jumpers in a simple style, and in either blue or black – two of these jumpers had padded hoods. Our third jumper/sweater was our matching Christmas Jumper we wanted to wear for our offical Santa photo in the Main Office of Santa Claus. (These Jumpers were from the Museum of Transport Shop in London)
3 x roll neck skivvy’s (turtleneck) per person in navy to match jumpers
A warm tracksuit top and bottoms, to wear as pyjamas, or as clothes when it was laundry day.

Hot tip: Stick with plain colours such as khaki and navy blue for the trousers, so you can mix and match the tops to go.

Warm bottoms

3 x robust trousers/pants in soft cotton or terry cloth tracksuit material, or soft denim, ie: not skinny jeans.
Make sure all trousers have a little bit of wiggle room as the thermal underwear must go underneath.

My jogger jean pants have a elastic cuff at the bottom and a loose fit for comfort.

I would buy these in charcoal grey next time, to better hide stains as with only three outfits, it’s likely they get worn a few times before washing.

Snow jacket or parka

A Kathmandu down-filled winter coat per person. (Mine was thigh length. The boys one’s were waist length.)

Hot tip: How many layers to wear in Lapland?

Layering in Finland attire is vital to stay warm, so on top, we wore singlet, then thermal top, skivvy, and jumper, topped by our Kathmandu jackets when heading outside.

On our legs, we wore thermals, covered by one pair of pants.

If you have a snowsuit, you’ll only need one layer of thermals and one layer of clothing underneath, unless the wind is blowing, or it’s below – 10 degrees.

Otherwise you’ll be too hot, and uncomfortable.

Packing for Europe Winter

This was a perfect amount of clothes for six weeks of Europe road trip, washing everything once a week, and smalls in the sink in between when we were in a hotel for more than three days, and had access to the drying bar heater in the bathroom.

If you are only going to Lapland for a week, or a few days, adjust as necessary.

Add the Winter Thermal Wear Accessories

Each of us also brought our necessary cold weather accessories.

Winter gloves & Snow gloves

one pair of lightweight merino gloves for thermal protection underneath our ski gloves, or used on their own
one pair of water-resistant ski gloves, one size larger than normal

Polar Fleece neck warmers

a polar fleece neck warmer – the most VITAL piece of clothing in our suitcases

Beanies & Scarves

a knitted pure wool beanie
a knitted pure wool scarf

Thermal Socks

three pairs of thick thermal-insulating merino socks per person
two pairs of cotton socks

We were given a cotton balaclava to put on during our snowmobile rides to help with keeping the cold off our faces during this outdoor adventure.

Hot tip: Drying clothes in the sauna

In Finland, I washed our singlets and underwear in the sink, and dried them in the sauna overnight.

The sauna was also a fabulous drying rack for our snow gloves, inner gloves, socks and boots once it was turned off for the night.

Hot tip: I taught the kids early how to put their winter accessories away in the same spot each time after use, so they never went missing, eg gloves in one coat pocket, beanie in the inside pocket.

But we still lost a pair of gloves when Ned left them on the bus.

How to not lose ski gloves!

Our friend Kym told us a trick they use at home during winter:

slip a long piece of narrow rope through the arms of the jacket or snow suit
tie each end of the rope to the loop on the glove.

This way, the gloves can’t ever disappear as they are attached to the child’s clothing.

Lost Glove society

We aren’t the only ones prone to losing gloves – after seeing one too many lost gloves on the train, on the underground, or on the city street, we started taking photos of these random finds, as a tribute to this strange phenomena!

I now know we’re not the only ones to document lost gloves – there’s even a Flickr group dedicated to these lonely abandoned hand coverings.

We also lost a beanie somewhere along the way.

Thankfully, it’s possible to buy woollen beanies in most souvenir shops in Lapland to replace one if you need.

They aren’t as cheap as buying one at home, but not overly expensive either.

What to wear in Lapland in December

Or, What to wear under snowsuit in Lapland?

Wear your regular clothes in layers underneath your snow suit.

(eg jeans, singlet, long sleeved thermal top, long sleeve skivvy, and jumper/sweater).

When you head indoors for any length of time, roll the top of the snow suit down and tie the arms round your waist.

You’ll see lots of people doing this during dinner, or breakfast at the Christmas House restaurant and Coffee Bar, and Three Elves Restaurant if you are visiting Santa Village in Rovaniemi.

It’s the done thing.

We took off our snowsuit completely only once during our trip.

This was in preparation for our Santa photo in the Santa Claus Main Office.

The staff there gave us a big red bag to store our snowsuits in during our visit.

We put the snowsuits straight back on before we left the building.

We met other families throughout the week who didn’t have snowsuits, and were wearing their ordinary thermal down jackets, and jeans or trousers with their snow boots.

Their greatest regret of their vacation was NOT bringing the snowsuit, or hiring one on site.

Without doubt, snowsuits (or ski pants and jacket) are invaluable when you are out and about in the Northern European Finnish Lapland snow.

We brought our own insulated and waterproof snow boots.

The boys boots from Anaconda sports store were simple, plain black with a velcro side tab.

Mine were black also, but with a lace up feature at the front.

This was the only footwear we wore in Lapland.

(We also wore the boots for the previous two weeks throughout Scandinavia and Germany when the weather turned colder.)

Snow boots are a necessity in Lapland.

If you don’t have your own, we recommend hiring or borrowing a pair.

Snow boots have grip on the soles that help you stay upright when you accidentally stumble onto a slick of ice. Not that they prevent every fall, but they definitely help.

Make sure the snowsuit goes over the top of the boots, to create a barrier, so snow cannot get into the boots easily, even when you are walking in deep powdery snow, or playing on the sleds.

What to wear in Lapland in January?

January is often the coldest month in Lapland, and temperatures can vary between -15° to -30° celsius.

It’s freezing.

What to wear in Lapland in this kind of cold weather?

Dress in all the above, a base layer, then more lots of layers, with at least two pairs of merino wool socks doubled up inside the boots.

The most important thing is to keep dry, especially the hands and feet.

It’s wise to carry a backpack of spares with you:

two or three pairs of spare woollen socks
spare woollen gloves, and
a quick dry towel.

This way, even if you can’t get back to your accommodation to change outfits, you can at least remove wet socks and gloves before putting on a new set.

A dry bag (or a reusable plastic shopping bag at least) is also a good idea, so you can store your wet gear away from your dry clothes.

What to wear in Lapland in February and March?

In the colder months, we’d recommend short excursions out in the snowy weather, especially if you have kids in tow.

Just a couple of hours at a time.

Many of the day tours and attractions do set up a fire of some kind outside, where you can warm up, and toast your marshmallows.

But taking a break from the cold weather inside a hut or shelter, with a fire burning and hot chocolate brewing, or perhaps Finnish sausages cooking, is invaluable.

The coldest we were was during a late night snowmobile sledge ride to try and see the Northern Lights.

Despite our many, many layers, and blankets, and a reindeer hide on top, both Jack and Ned were frozen stiff.

After 90 minutes, Jack in tears because his feet were hurting, and Ned was not doing much better.

We suffered through the remaining minutes in the sledge by making up a song about wriggling your toes and alternatively arching your feet back and forth, to get the movement going.

In hindsight, I’m not sure a late night adventure in the cold is a good idea with kids under 12, although there were at least 10 kids aged between 1 year, and 11 years old on the trip with us.

The leader did tell me they refuse to take kids once it gets to -10 ° as it’s miserable for everyone.

What we quickly learned, what that being able to return to your accommodation quickly is a clever idea, so you can warm up the kids under a shower, and dress them in a new dry outfit before you venture back out.

30 minutes or an hour at ‘home’ can revitalise their spirits too.

Let me tell you from experience.

As fun as snow can be, kids who have experienced extreme cold in Lapland may need this kind of coaxing before they’ll brace themselves for more snow.

If you are not staying onsite, find someplace warm – a reception area, a lounge, or waiting room, to change them at least, and let them thaw out with a warm drink in hand.

What to take on a Lapland day trip

Bring ALL the snacks & water

Bring snacks, such as small packs of long life crackers & cream cheese, nuts, individual packs of chips, healthy fruit straps, roasted chickpeas, and small chocolate bars as a treat.
Snow and the cold makes kids hungrier than usual. Keep them fuelled.
Bring your own bottle of water. Refill it in your hotel room, or sink. One bottle of water here can cost upwards of 4 euro!

Bring ALL the socks.

Pack at least 6 pairs of pure merino (not blend) wool socks per person (not three as we did.)
Wear two pairs inside your boots, have a second set of two pairs for the next day when this first pair are drying, and put the extra spare couple in your daypack for emergencies.
Take the spares with you in your daypack or carry bag on your tours and excursions.

Bring an Empty Dry Bag

A dry bag from a camping store is a reusable waterproof sack with a rollover top that will seal your wet gear inside until you can dry it out.
You can buy them in all sizes. A medium size is enough to carry a bunch of wet mittens, gloves and socks.

Carry a small waterproof day pack

Use a waterproof daypack to carry all of the above.

Hot tip: Wool Socks as Therapy for Cold Hands and Feet

BYO a pair of emergency mitten gloves.

But if you forget, you can use a pair of new dry wool socks to warm up the kids fingers when they freeze.

Gentle movement in the fingers or toes is necessary to warm the blood back to life when the pain of cold hits.

We were shown this tried and true trick when Jack was crying in pain after too much time out on the skidoo in the cold.

When the kids won’t move their hands or toes themselves as it’s too painful, pop this pair of dry woollen socks onto their hands.

Use the socks to gently rub their hands and warm them back to life.

It’s no fun when the kids’ gloves get wet and cold.

You need to get the gloves off ASAP, and replace with something warm and dry quickly before the pain starts.

An extra pair of socks can be used as an emergency pair of mitten gloves when you are stuck.

What to wear on the plane to Lapland?

Wondering what to wear to travel to Lapland?

For your winter travel dress, we suggest wearing your regular clothes, as above, in layers, so when you leave the plane at Rovaniemi, you are ready to don your snow suit and go.

Bring your regular thermal jacket along, as you’ll need that during the transfers until you reach your hotel or accommodation.

Indoor areas are warm everywhere you go.

What is the Currency in Lapland?

The Euro.

Image by Viola from Pixabay

How to get to Lapland

Who flies to Rovaniemi?

You can get flights to Rovaniemi from UK on Norwegian Air, Finnair, and British Airways.

There are no Easyjet flights to Lapland from London, or Ryanair flights to Lapland yet.

Getting to Lapland is not that difficult, BUT it can be expensive.

Flights to Lapland Rovaniemi airport are NOT cheap.

There’s not a lot of competition to keep the prices down.

It cost us 1020 euro ($1650 AUD) for the three of us to go ONE WAY from Rovaniemi to London on British Airways (code share with Finnair), and we booked ONE YEAR in advance.

Yes, the flight was booked for the week before Christmas, so the price hike was understandable as it’s peak traffic time, but seriously….

This did feel like they were taking advantage unnecessarily.

You can also book direct flights to Rovaniemi from Europe, and return.

Flights to Rovaniemi – How long is the flight to Lapland?

But you can also fly direct to Rovaniemi via Helsinki from all major cities in Europe and London too.

From Helsinki, about 1 hour and 20 minutes

From London, 3 hours and 20 minutes on a direct flight.

Our tip would be to fly to Helsinki from London or anywhere in Europe, and catch the train to Finnish Lapland & the city of Rovaniemi.

How to get to Lapland from Helsinki on the Train!

While you can fly on a Helsinki to Rovaniemi flight in about 1 hour and 20 minutes, the most fun way to get to Rovaniemi from Helsinki is on the Santa Express overnight train.

Read all about our Santa Express Overnight Sleeper Train adventure below.

The Santa Claus Express Helsinki Rovaniemi train is an overnight journey taking a smidge under 12 hours.

The Helsinki night train to Lapland is a double-storey overnight sleeper train that takes you all the way to Rovaniemi (and continues further on to Kemijärvi in the far north)

We LOVED the Santa overnight train Helsinki to Rovaniemi adventure!

The train from Helsinki to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi has a VR sleeping compartment so you arrive rested to start your Santa Claus holiday.

If you book this Lapland rail journey early enough, you can score the upper level cabins.

We booked one of these for the three of us.

Inside the sleeping cabins on the Helsinki to Lapland Train

As Jack was 6, he was allowed to bunk in with us in this double sleeper without paying a reservation fee, and share one of the two bunk beds.

Somehow, this little guy wrangled the top bunk.

As his big brother did NOT want to sleep in the same bed with his annoying sibling that day, Ned and I had to top and tail on the bottom bunk.

It was a squash, but we managed.

Hot tip: If you are travelling with young kids, you can ask for a safety net to be put on the bed so your little one can’t fall out.

Shower Facilities on the VR Train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi

Cabins come with their own private bathroom.

There’s a toilet, a sink, and a mirror.

But the shower was a mystery!

Showering on the Santa Claus Express Night Train

I finally worked it out.

You push that button (bottom left of pic) and pull that knob on the left.

This unlocks the shower wall, and pulls this whole fabricated section forward to the right and blocks the toilet area, safeguarding it from water spray.

The shower cubicle is then revealed!

My morning shower was an experience that I could not miss.

(But I didn’t bother showering the kids. Too much work.)

Showering on the train was surprisingly easy, despite the small space, and smooth.

Other Facilities on the Helsinki to Rovaniemi Night Train

The double decker sleeping-car compartments have:

a bunk bed
a radio
an alarm-clock
a rubbish bin
a pc plug to charge all your devices

You can listen to the radio by using your own earphones, or watch a movie on your computer during the trip.

Where to store your luggage on the night train Helsinki to Rovaniemi?

There’s room under the bottom bunk for suitcases and backpacks.

We had no trouble fitting three carry on suitcases in the space.

But it might be a struggle to fit more than two large suitcases.

There’s hooks for your winter coats behind the door, and small steps to climb up to the top bunk.

Plus a little pull down seating area and table for snacks.

This was 11.30pm, just on the train, Ned feasting on the Gingerbread House he’d made earlier that day in Helsinki at the craft market.

Are there Santa or Christmas Decorations on the VR Finnish Railways Train to Rovaniemi?

Sadly, no.

The Lapland express train itself doesn’t have any special decorations, or anything to suggest Santa or Christmas is on it’s way.

It doesn’t matter too much, but if there was one thing I could add to the train trip to make it more magical, it would be Christmas decorations.

Just a few.

A simple paper star light in the window, or a wreath on the door. Perhaps some Christmas bunting along the corridors.

Hello, VR Finnish Railway trains in Finland…. are you listening?

But the Santa Express Lapland is an overnight train, with your own train cabin to explore and make your own, and that’s a big enough adventure for most kids!

Helsinki to Rovaniemi Train Cafe Restaurant

There’s a restaurant/cafe on board the train, with a seated dining car.

If that’s full, or you are visiting for a quick snack, there’s more window seating and stand up benches in the cafe car itself.

Breakfast Menu on Santa Train to Rovaniemi

Hot tip: Download the VR on the Go app and see the benefits and discounts on offer.

For early risers, buy a thermos mug to keep with a cup of coffee for 7,00 euro.

Create your own breakfast (served all day) for 7,90 euro.

Chooose from:

Coffee, tea or hot chocolate for drink
Rye bread with cheese, or filled baguette for main
One of these: Orange juice, a fresh pastry, or yoghurt with muesli

Or one of these breakfast options:

Porridge, and coffee or tea, plus juice for 7,50 (this was my choice)
Oatmeal porridge with berries on it’s own is 3,60 euro

Big Hunger “Isoon Nälkään” menu

Meals are served all day.

Choose from:

Meatballs and mashed potatoes – 12,90 euro
Bigger portion of meatballs – 15,00 euro
Pasta carbonara – 11,50 euro
Pesto pasta with chicken – 12,50 euro
Pesto pasta with tomato – 10,50 euro
Salmon soup, bread with spread – 11,90 euro
Cheese omelette – 9,50 euro
Cheese omelette with chicken or frankfurters – 10,50 euro

Salads

So are salads.

Caesar salad natural – 6,50 euro
Caesar salad with chicken – 9,90 euro
Warm falafel salad and herb sauce – 8,90 euro
Side salad – 2,50 euro

For Some Hunger “Pieneen Nälkään” menu

Served all day.

Choose from:

Giant meat pie -4,90 euro
Giant meat pie with frankfurters – 5,90 euro
Pie with feta cheese and brocolli – 7,20 euro
Cup of frankfurters – 5,00 euro
Slice of pizza – 4,60 euro
Slice of pizza with salad – 6,00 euro

You can order these as eat in or takeaway.

For Children “Lapsille” Kids menu

Not much choice here for kids, but there’s pizza, and meat pies so all is good.

Kids meatballs – 7,00 euro
Kid’s meatballs, soft drink and ice cream – 9,50 euro

Snack menu on board the VR train to Finland

Kids ‘starving to death’?

Buy Finnish snacks on board for a quick late night snack too.

Find:

chips
chocolate bars
crackers, and the like

But be sure to bring your own snacks for the journey if you want to save money for Santa Village.

Hot Tip: How to open your sleeping compartment door

The door key was in place in a holder inside the door when we arrived and found our cabin number.

After we’d settled, the boys were keen to explore the train and I took the key with us.

When we returned to the cabin, I could not open the cabin door for the life of me.

UNTIL…. I pushed it into the latch with a little EXTRA push.

Then it opened like magic!

Helsinki to Rovaniemi Train Cost

VR Santa Claus Express Night Train Price (Reservations with Eurail pass)

If you have a Eurail pass, the Santa Claus Express Price for reservations starts at:

100 euros for a single sleeper
45 euros per person for a double sleeper with private bathroom, and
110 euros for a single sleeper with private bathroom.

The cost of train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi with a Eurail Global Pass was €108 for the three of us, with our own ensuite and shower. ($175 AUD or $120 USD)

How much is the Helsinki to Rovaniemi train cost without Eurail pass?

The regular Helsinki to Rovaniemi train fare starts from:

80 Euro for a basic seat (as pictured above)
175 euro for a single person sleeping compartment, or
116 euro per person for a sleeping berth in a two-person compartment.

The Helsinki to Rovaniemi train price for kids is slightly cheaper.

Children aged 10 and younger travel free of charge on night trains with a parent in the same sleeping compartment.

A family of three or four can fit in one cabin so you don’t have to split up.

Eg adult and two kids, or two adults and two children, as long as the kids are under 10 and share the beds with parents.

How to make a VR Santa Claus Express Reservation

We highly recommend booking your Eurail reservations for the Santa Claus Train tickets directly, by calling the Finnish Railways (VR) customer care (+358 9 2319 2902).

The train timetable that will allow you to book Santa Claus Express train was not released until June this year. (About 6 months in advance).

Hot tip: When it’s getting close to 6 months until your departure date, call and enquire. Keep checking in every week about booking the Helsinki to Lapland train tickets until you secure your reservations.

Helsinki to Rovaniemi Train Timetable (The Santa Claus Express Night Train Timetable)

The Helsinki to Rovaniemi train departs at either:

18:49, arriving at 7:13 am, or
at 23.13 arriving at 11:05am.

Trains depart 7 days a week.

Note: There may only be one departure time each day, not necessarily both.

Return Journey – Rovaniemi to Helsinki Train Timetable

The Rovaniemi to Helsinki train going the opposite direction departs at 18:00, and arrives in Helsinki at 6.27am.

The Rovaniemi Helsinki train no. 266 night train runs Monday to Sunday.

How long is the Helsinki to Rovaniemi train duration?

The Helsinki to Lapland train duration is approximately 12 hours.

The return journey takes less time.

Our train departed at 11.10pm sharp, and arrived in Rovaniemi at 11.15am.

We loved this, as we had the whole day, and half the night to enjoy ourselves in Helsinki.

The worst part was waiting at the Helsinki train station for the train to appear.

We arrived around 8pm, with plenty of time to spare as we’d already checked out of our hotel, and while there were a few seats inside the station, no one was parting with them.

FYI: It’s impossible to sit outside on the train platform for hours as it’s too cold.

And the WAIT for the 11.10pm train to Rovaniemi is long….

In hindsight, the earlier train at 6pm would have been a better choice, if only to avoid Jack’s tired and exhausted tantrums.

What to do at the Helsinki Train station platform while you wait

I bought a cup of tea from Baguette and Co, and we piled into the eating area on the platform side of the shop, luggage and all.

Warm and cosy, we stayed there until the train came, figuring we’d plant ourselves there until we were asked to leave.

A few other families did the same.

Luckily, being late at night, there wasn’t a huge demand for cafe seating so we were ok till the train arrived.

List of Helsinki to Rovaniemi train stops

This Santa train is said to only stop at Rovaniemi, and Kemijariv.

But it definitely stopped a few times along the way.

I’m not sure if anyone got on, or off, or whether they were picking up supplies or what.

The whole trip is a little dream like, in that you don’t see anyone, not even a train ticket collector, anywhere until you leave your apartment and make your way to the dining car.

Where to eat on the Santa Express train?

InterCity trains have a restaurant car.

In theory, you can buy dinner or breakfast from the sales trolley that travels along past your compartment, but we didn’t hear or see that.

Menu from the dining car is detailed in the post above.

How to get to Santa Claus Village from Rovaniemi train station

Santa Claus Holiday Village is located 8km from Rovaniemi city centre.

The best way to get from the Rovaniemi train station to Santa Claus village when you hop off the train on the Rovaniemi platform is onthe Santa Claus Express Bus.

The Rovaniemi to Santa Claus Village Bus starts at the Rovaniemi train station.

There’s no need to rush when the train arrives at Rovaniemi railway station. The bus is parked about 20 metres away from the train platform and the bus driver waits long after the train arrives for dawdlers.

Luggage is free.

IMPORTANT: Look for the right bus (pictured above).

There is another one that is more expensive. We made the mistake of panicking and hopping on the first one we saw.

It wasn’t the right bus.

Don’t make the same mistake.

Santa Express bus travels in a one-way circle route that takes about 25 minutes. It goes via:

the City Centre
Santa Park
Santa Claus Village
Santa’s Igloos Arctic Circle
the Airport
back to the City centre, and
home to the the train station in Rovaniemi.

The bus ticket per on-off journey costs:

3.50 euro one way for an adult, and 6.60 round trip (ticket valid for a month).
Children’s ticket cost 1.80 euro for one way, and 3.60 euro return.

Rovaniemi station to Rovaniemi city hotels and Santa Village

The other option is to catch the Local Bus No.8 from the Rovaniemi railway station.

The stop you need is “Arctic Circle” – the bus will pull in at the Arctic Circle Tourist Information center – located inside the Santa’s Gifthouse shopping centre.

(Look for the red “Santa Claus Gift House” sign on the building)

It’s highly likely there will be a huge exodus of people from the bus at Santa Village.

Follow the crowd.

Hot tip: If you are staying on site in one of the Santa Claus holiday village hotel cabins, head to the Three Elves Restaurant building to your right – this is where the hotel check in desk is located.

Taxi to Santa Claus Holiday Village

You can also take a taxi from Rovaniemi to Santa Claus Village, but honestly, there’s no need unless you don’t like being in close proximity to people and luggage on a full bus.

It costs about 25 Euro for a 8 km trip from the centre of Rovaniemi to Santa Claus Village.

Taxi’s are EXPENSIVE in this part of the world.

But if you don’t want the hassle of waiting for all the passengers to load and unload at every stop, a taxi ride is worth every cent.

There’s no need to book a taxi in advance from your home town, but you may like to book one before you depart Helsinki if you like the comfort of knowing one will be waiting for you.

But don’t stress about it. It’s fine to wait.

There are plenty of taxi’s available at the Rovaniemi airport, and at the train station platform

(You’ll see them when you disembark the train).

Order a taxi in Rovaniemi Finland: Click here

Santa Claus Village also has a taxi rank.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, as of February 2023, there is no longer a FREE pick up option from Santa Claus Holiday Village reception. Please enquire directly with the hotel about the current transfer fee.

Rovaniemi Map

LAPLAND DAY TRIP

There are many travel companies that offer a day trip to Rovaniemi, including the flights.

Crazy but true.

A day trip to Lapland from London is doable.

There’s lots you can do in Lapland for a day, and you can definitely experience the magic of Lapland.

But Santa day trips are rushed.

Book at least a one night or two night trip to Lapland if you can.

It’s a shame to miss out on so much fun.

Cheap Lapland holidays?

The cheapest Lapland breaks are the Lapland deals you can book through companies such as:

Inghams
Tui Lapland
Santa Claus Trips
Santas Lapland tours, and
Regent Holidays.

There’s debate over who is the best company for Lapland holidays or Lapland Christmas tours.

Ask around and do your research.

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

FAQ ABOUT SANTA’S REINDEER

No.1: Do male reindeer have antlers?

Yes, but so do female reindeers.

There’s a belief in some circles that Rudolf the Red Nosed reindeer might actually be female, as Rudolf is almost always seen in pictures with a full set of antlers in the early winter season of Christmas.

But male reindeer shed their antlers each year in late autumn.

No.2: Are all reindeer female?

No. Reindeer are both male and female.

But Santa’s reindeer are likely to be female, because of the above facts.

No.3: Can you ride a reindeeer?

The answer to Can you ride reindeer is no.

Reindeers would not like that very much.

No.4: Are reindeer mammals?

Yes. According to this teacher’s guide, mammals have these shared traits:

hair or fur on their bodies
are warm-blooded
most are born alive
the young are fed milk produced by the mother’s mammary glands; and
they have a more complex brain than other animals.

Credit: Source in link above

Image credit: Visit Rovaniemi

No.5: Can reindeer fly?

And HOW do Santas reindeer fly?

The answer to that is that they can only fly with Santa’s magical dust sprinkled on them.

No.6: How did Santa Claus came to be associated with flying reindeer?

Santa needed a way to transport the gifts to all the children in the world and a truck simply wouldn’t do.

As he lives surrounded by snowy forests, a sled towed by his reindeer pets was the obvious choice but the only way to arrange the logistics of visiting every child around the world in one night was to find a magical solution.

So he called on Tinkerbell to help, and she shared her pixie dust with him, so he could FLY over all the trees, cities, and houses in triple time.

Problem solved.

No.7: Are reindeer hairs hollow?

It’s true.

The top layer of hair on a reindeer is hollow.

It acts as an insulator to keep reindeer warm during the cold winters of Lapland Finland.

No.7: What is the edible reindeer food recipe?

How to make reindeer food bags, that is also delicious for the local bird life, simply mix together:

1 cup of oats
1/2 cup of shredded coconut
1 cup of rice bubbles
1 cup of sunflower seeds
1/4 cup of hundreds and thousands confectionery (nonpareils)
1/4 cup sugar glitter or sugar sprinkles from cake decorating shops

Give it a good stir, then take a cup of it and sprinkle it outside on your lawn on Christmas eve.

No.8: Magic Reindeer Food poem

Here is the Reindeer dust poem:

Sprinkle on the lawn at night

The moon will make it sparkle bright

As Santa’s reindeer fly and roam

This will guide them to your home!

LOOKING FOR MORE FUN CITIES TO VISIT WITH KIDS?

Click the links in blue below for our Ultimate Family Travel Guides.