How to plan a DIY Lapland trip with kids - travel, excursions & costs

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In comparison to a package holiday, planning a DIY Lapland trip can save you money and give you far more flexibility – especially if you’re travelling with kids. Lapland is often seen as a once-in-a-lifetime Christmas trip but you don’t have to book an expensive package holiday to experience it. Whilst the excursions don’t come cheap, the bulk of the holiday needn’t be expensive. By arranging your own flights, accommodation and days out, you can decide exactly what you want to do, how long you stay and how much you spend. It also means that you can enjoy the magic of Lapland at your own pace rather than rushing between pre-booked activities.

We had an amazing trip to Rovaniemi so here’s what we learned from planning a DIY Lapland break with kids – including travel & transport, where to stay, what to do and how to keep the overall cost down.

Visit Date: March 2026

Is Lapland worth it with kids?

Lapland is one of those trips that genuinely feels magical for both adults and kids. From rolling around in the deep snow, to sleigh rides, sledging and visiting the home of Santa himself, it feels like stepping into a real winter storybook. For younger children, meeting Santa and visiting Santa Claus Village is often the highlight. Older children tend to enjoy the more adventurous side of Lapland, such as snowmobiling, husky sledding and whizzing down the big sledging hills – our day at Lapland Winter Park was a real highlight for us.

The scenery is also something special. Rovaniemi is surrounded by forests, rivers and frozen lakes, and in winter everything is covered in snow. If you’re lucky, you might even see the Northern Lights dancing across the sky. While Lapland isn’t a cheap destination, many families feel it’s one of the most memorable trips they’ve ever taken with their children. For us, it was a one-off trip and it was one of the best holidays we’ve ever been on – it was completely different from anything else we’d experienced before. If you’re still on the fence, take a look at this article to help you decide: Lapland with kids – is it worth the money?

Why we chose a DIY Lapland trip

Package Lapland holidays can be convenient, but they often come with a very high price tag. Many packages include accommodation, transfers and a handful of excursions, but you usually have little control over the schedule and the trip can feel quite rushed. Planning a DIY Lapland trip gives you much more flexibility – you can choose the accommodation that suits your family, decide which excursions you want to do with the kids and spread activities across several days rather than trying to fit everything into a short itinerary. If I could stress one thing it would be to allow time for rest, play in the snow and breaks from the cold. So many package trips are a day or two and a total whirlwind – the majority of the cost will be the flights and accommodation so planning a slightly longer stay doesn’t need to break the bank.

Booking everything yourself allows you to have complete control over your own trip and it can save you money in several ways. Booking flights early, choosing self-catering accommodation and selecting only the excursions you really want to do can reduce the overall cost quite significantly compared with some package holidays. For families who enjoy planning their own trips, doing Lapland yourself can work extremely well. It’s also much easier than you’d think!

How to plan a DIY Lapland trip yourself

Planning a Lapland trip independently is actually quite straightforward once you break it down into a few simple steps – here’s how to get started:

Decide on where you want to stay: The first step is choosing where in Lapland you want to stay. For families travelling independently, Rovaniemi is usually the easiest option. It has good transport connections, plenty of accommodation and lots of activities nearby – we thought it was the perfect base. For families looking for a quieter setting Levi is popular too – though you’d likely need to hire a car.
Choose your visit dates: Make sure you time your trip wisely – November can be too early for snow, peak December is often busy and pricey, and temperatures in January can drop to -30℃. I think late February – early March offers the best balance of budget, weather and fewer crowds. If you’re unsure, take a look at my article: The best time to visit Lapland for families (month by month guide).
Decide how long you’ll be staying: Make a rough list of any particular days out and excursions you’d like, throw in some time for simply playing or resting too, and then map out how long you’d like your trip to be. I think 4 nights is perfect to allow you 3 full days for adventures – take a look at my 3 day Lapland itinerary for more info.

Book your flights: Next, look at flights – many UK airports have winter flights to Rovaniemi during the peak season from late November through to early spring. We booked ours through Easy Jet and included 2 suitcases for our family of four. The snow suits are bulky if you’re bringing your own and we wore our snow boots on the plane to save on space.
Pick your accommodation: Once flights are sorted, you can book accommodation. Apartments and family-friendly hotels are common in Rovaniemi and often work well for a DIY trip – Finland can be a bit pricey when it comes to food so having self-catering facilities is handy. You’ll also have really busy days mapped out so we found heading back to the apartment to chuck a pizza in and have a coffee absolute bliss.
Make a proper itinerary: Finally, plan your excursions. Popular activities like husky sledding and snowmobile safaris can sell out in busy periods, so it’s usually best to book these in advance. I would definitely recommend having a proper plan in place before you visit – most families will only be in Lapland for a few days so you don’t want to waste time.

Where to stay in Rovaniemi with kids

Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus and it’s one of the most popular places for families visiting Lapland. Staying in the city centre works well for a DIY trip because you’re close to restaurants, shops and supermarkets – it’s really walkable so you can get what you need easily with just a few minutes walk. Many apartments also have kitchens, which makes it easier to keep food costs down – we stayed at Piriko Apartments and thought the location and the amenities were fabulous – check out my Piriko Apartments Review for all the details.

Another advantage of staying in Rovaniemi is how easy it is to reach the main attractions. We didn’t want the hassle or expense of hiring a car and you really don’t need one if you stay in the city centre. You can hop on a bus to popular attractions like Santa Claus Village, Lapland Winter Park offers a free shuttle bus to and from the city for your day there, and the excursions typically come with free transport too. Most activities (like snowmobile safaris) will offer collection from their central office or popular hotels – they’ll then take you to the location for the experience and drop you back afterwards. (Lots of them include the clothing needed too!) For families who prefer a quieter setting, there are also cabins and apartments just outside the city, often surrounded by forest and snow. Take a look at my article: Where to stay in Rovaniemi with kids – the best hotels, apartments & igloos.

Flights and transfers in Lapland

Flights to Rovaniemi operate from several UK airports during the winter season and flight time is typically around three and a half hours. When you arrive, the airport is only a short distance from the city centre and the local attractions, which makes transfers very simple. The journey from the airport is only around 10 mins and cost us about €30 each way. We used the Uber app to organise transport when we landed in Rovaniemi and then pre-booked another Uber the day before our flight home to make sure it arrived at the right time. It was all very straightforward so transfers are definitely not something to panic about – there were plenty of taxis dotted around the city and the airport during our stay.

Though you could also look at using public transport, I would definitely recommend booking a private transfer as you’ll find the price isn’t vastly different but it’s much more convenient with luggage and kids. Once in Rovaniemi, buses and organised excursions are the main ways to get around, although some families might choose to hire a car if they’re comfortable driving in snowy conditions. Personally, I don’t think a car is needed in Rovaniemi and it’s likely more hassle than it’s worth!

The best excursions in Lapland

One of the highlights of a Lapland trip is trying some of the classic Arctic activities and this is another reason why a DIY break works well – you can cater your itinerary to the ages and interests of your kids. Husky sledding is one of the most popular excursions and gives you the chance to ride through snowy forests pulled by a team of energetic huskies. Reindeer sleigh rides are a gentler experience that might be better with little ones, whilst snowmobile safaris are another favourite – allowing families to explore frozen rivers and forest trails. (Definitely a hit with teens – my two loved it!) Many families also enjoy ice-karting, which takes place on specially prepared ice tracks during the winter months and you can also have a go at skiing and cross-country skiing in Rovaniemi too.

When it comes to the local attractions, most families will want to pay a visit to Santa Claus Village – particularly those with younger children who want to see Santa or play in Snowman World. For a full day of fun with winter sports, sledging, reindeer feeds, ice-skating and all sorts Lapland Winter Park really delivers – that was my favourite day on our trip. For an indoor Santa visit you could head to SantaPark and there are plenty of other attractions that open for the festive season in particular. Although the excursions are likely to be the most expensive part of your trip, they are what makes a Lapland visit so special and memorable so be sure to budget for some activities. Most excursions can be booked easily through Get Your Guide – I simply planned out what we wanted to do and booked it all on there for ease. If you’re still deciding on what to do, these articles are a great place to start: The 15 best things to do in Rovaniemi with kids and 3 days in Rovaniemi with kids – the perfect family itinerary!

Free things to do in Rovaniemi

Although Lapland excursions can add up, there are still several activities you can enjoy for free. Santa Claus Village is free to visit so you can walk around the village, cross the Arctic Circle line, toast marshmallows on the fire (remember to bring some from home and don’t forget the skewers!) and explore the festive surroundings without paying an entrance fee. Rovaniemi also has beautiful walking areas along the Ounasjoki River, where children can play in the snow and enjoy the winter scenery. Sledging is another popular free activity – many local hills become natural sledging spots during winter and are great fun for kids. Simply exploring the snowy forests and frozen landscapes can be an experience in itself. And, the Arctic Garden provides the perfect spot for a DIY aurora hunt as it’s just a short walk from the city centre. For more ideas check out my article: 10 FREE & cheap things to do in Rovaniemi with kids.

Organising Lapland clothing

Many of the package holidays for Lapland include clothing but it’s not a tricky thing to organise yourself if you’re planning a DIY break instead. You’ll need coats capable of keeping you warm as low as -20℃ / -30℃ depending on when you’re visited. These can be purchased from shops like Mountain Warehouse or via Amazon – look out for sales! If you’re opting for a coat you’ll need ski trousers too, or you can buy an all-in-one snow suit. We also bought some cheap base layers but wound up not really needing them. Because we visited in early March, despite the thick snow, it wasn’t actually that cold but for visits between December and February you’ll definitely need the proper layers.

Mid layers can be things like thermal leggings and a warm jumper or a tracksuit – just opt for polyester or wool as cotton holds moisture which will make you cold. Snow boots are probably the most important thing you’ll need to purchase – winter boots or walking boots are not enough at all. Look out for reductions – February is a good time to buy as the shops start selling things off ready for spring. We got things like Heat Holders hats (usually around £15) for £4 from Sainsburys and £80 snow boots for around £30. Here’s a quick summary of the main things you’ll need:

Base layers
Mid layers (wool or polyester)
Winter coat & ski trousers or snow suit
Snow boots
Thermal / woolen socks
Hats, gloves or mittens & neck warmers

You can also hire clothing for your trip if you’d prefer not to buy it. Through Get Your Guide it starts at around £40pp for one day, with each additional day adding around £15. This includes: a winter jacket, winter trousers, snow boots, mittens and a tube scarf. If you think you won’t use any of the clothing again, or have young children who it wouldn’t fit for long, then hiring the gear might work well. It also allows you to pack far less luggage to reduce costs there too. For excursions like snowmobiling most of the companies will also include the winter overalls when you get there. Find out more about what you’ll need here: Lapland packing list for families – what you really need in -20°C!

How much does a DIY Lapland trip cost?

The total cost of a DIY Lapland trip varies depending on when you travel, how long you stay and which activities you choose. Flights during peak winter season can be one of the biggest costs, particularly around December when demand is highest. If you’re looking to save some money, booking anti-social flight times can cut costs – and sometimes it can pay to fly to and from different airports too. It can also be useful to book slightly out of season – the snow typically lasts until early April so don’t rule out booking outside of December. (The excursions will be cheaper then too!) For our March 2026 trip, for a family of four, we spent around £650 on flights (with two checked suitcases and seat selection included), £850 on a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 nights, about £150 on food and around £850 on transport, airport parking and excursions. This brings our total to around £2500 for a 4 night trip for two adults and two teenagers.

By choosing only a few key activities, and balancing them with free experiences, it’s definitely possible to manage costs carefully. It is pricey for the time you’ll spend there compared to, for instance, a typical summer holiday, but the experience is just incredible and it’s certainly worth visiting once. I would definitely recommend planning your own DIY Lapland trip to make sure it’s everything that you imagined – it’s not difficult to organise, you can keep costs down and the kids will absolutely love it! For more of a detailed breakdown of what we did and how much we spent during our trip, take a look at my article: How much does a Lapland trip cost for a family of four?

How to do Lapland on a budget

Lapland will never be a cheap destination but there are ways to keep the cost more manageable. Typically, travelling outside the busiest Christmas period will offer better value for money – don’t worry you can visit Santa year round and the city will still be full of Christmas lights! Booking flights early can often secure better prices, particularly for peak winter travel dates – the budget airlines are perfectly fine and you’ll likely be doing just a short trip so don’t over pack. Things like wearing some of your gear on the plane, or hiring it to collect on arrival, can help to reduce luggage costs. And, make sure you take a packed lunch for the plane journey as airport prices are always bonkers. (When I can’t be bothered to make sandwiches, I just cook up some pizzas the night before and chuck it in a bag with fruit, crisps and snacks!)

Choosing self-catering accommodation will help to reduce food costs, and many families also save money by limiting the number of organised excursions and spending more time enjoying the natural surroundings, sledging and exploring the forests. When you’re planning what you’d like to do look at places like Lapland Winter Park, where a lot of things are included, and just pick a couple of special excursions like snowmobiling or a reindeer sleigh ride. We had so much fun simply sledging and rolling around in the snow as well – allow time to just play and enjoy walks in the beautiful scenery. We opted not to book a pricey aurora tour and it paid off – you can often see the Northern Lights with just a short walk from the city centre so the tours aren’t always necessary. Find out more in my guide: Lapland on a budget with kids – how to save money in Rovaniemi!

My final tips for visiting Lapland with kids

I would definitely recommending booking a snowy Lapland getaway – a DIY trip can keep costs down and it’ll honestly give you such magical memories with the kids. Remember that some of the best moments in Lapland are often the simplest ones. Playing in the snow, sledging down a hill or walking through a quiet winter forest can be just as memorable as the big organised activities. Lapland can feel very cold in winter, so warm clothing is essential, but late February – early March can be a more pleasant time to visit with the kids. Proper winter layers, gloves and thermal clothing make a huge difference to how comfortable children will be outside. It’s also worth allowing plenty of time to relax and warm up between activities. Lapland trips can quickly become busy if you schedule too many excursions in a short period and rushing around might spoil the experience.

For many families, a DIY Lapland trip offers the perfect balance of adventure, flexibility and festive magic with the kids. I’ve written absolutely loads of guides to help you to plan your perfect Rovaniemi getaway – covering every aspect of the trip – so check out some of my other articles and have a fabulous time: