Six days. That, in my view, is exactly how long you need to get the most out of Lapland in Finland: Santa Claus and silent wilderness, huskies and reindeer, the town and the far north — and above all several attempts at the northern lights, because they don’t show up on command. ☺️
This itinerary for a 6-day winter road trip through Finnish Lapland will guide you day by day from Rovaniemi past frozen waterfalls all the way to Saariselkä and Inari in the far north. You’ll find a concrete plan for each day, recommended accommodation with a handy table, activity prices and practical tips for winter driving.
The itinerary assumes you have a car, which gives you the most freedom (and flexibility when chasing the aurora), but it can also be done with a mix of buses and guided tours. If you’re still figuring out what to expect from Lapland, start with my big guide to what to see in Lapland.
A summary for those who don’t have time to read the whole article
- Route: Rovaniemi (3 nights) → Saariselkä (2 nights) → Inari → fly out of Ivalo or loop back to Rovaniemi. Roughly 350–600 km in total.
- Programme: Day 1 town, Day 2 Santa + husky, Day 3 frozen Korouoma waterfalls (or Ranua Zoo with kids), Day 4 drive north, Day 5 reindeer and sauna in Saariselkä, Day 6 Inari and Sámi culture.
- When: ideally February or March (light, snow, clearer skies), though the whole winter works.
- Car: rental companies fit studded winter tyres automatically. Watch out for reindeer on the road and refuel as you go.
- Budget: from around €2,500 for two (flights, car, hotels, 2–3 activities), more with a night in a glass igloo.
When to go and how driving works in winter
The itinerary works from December to early April, but it’s best in February and March: the days are longer, the sky is clearer (better chances for the aurora) and there’s the most snow. For a detailed month-by-month comparison, see my article on when to visit Lapland. You fly into Rovaniemi (direct or via Helsinki with carriers such as Finnair, Lufthansa or Ryanair) and can fly home out of Ivalo, or close the loop by returning to Rovaniemi.
Don’t be afraid of winter driving — the Finns have it down: rental companies fit studded tyres automatically in winter, the roads are well maintained and traffic is sparse. Three rules apply: drive smoothly, refuel as you go (petrol stations are far apart) and watch out for reindeer on the road, especially at dusk. If you meet one, stop and wait — they behave unpredictably. Practical advice is also summed up on the official Lapland.fi.
Where to stay: an overview for the whole route
The basic model is simple: three nights in Rovaniemi and two in Saariselkä. Here’s a clear table with my picks across budgets — each cell links straight through to booking. Book early, as winter dates disappear months in advance.
| Nights | Base | Hotel tip | Why stay here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nights 1–3 | Rovaniemi | Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus | walkable centre, great breakfast and sauna |
| Nights 1–3 (experience option) | Rovaniemi | Apukka Resort | aurora cabins by the lake, on-site activities |
| Nights 4–5 | Saariselkä | Northern Lights Village Saariselkä | heated glass above the bed, top aurora chances |
| Nights 4–5 (better value) | Saariselkä | Star Arctic Hotel | views from Kaunispää hill, great reviews |
| 1 night as the trip highlight | Saariselkä | Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort | legendary glass igloos |
💡 Tip: I put together a full comparison of glass igloos, including prices, in my article on glass igloos in Lapland. On a 6-day route it’s ideal to treat yourself to one igloo night as the trip highlight and spend the rest of the nights more cheaply.
The itinerary day by day
And now to the route itself. The programme is packed, but it accounts for the short winter days and for the fact that the evenings are all about chasing the northern lights. Feel free to adapt it — days 2 and 3 can be swapped depending on the weather.
Day 1. Arrival and Rovaniemi: the city of reindeer antlers
You land, pick up the car (the airport is 10 minutes from the centre) and give the first day over to Rovaniemi itself. Walk through the centre laid out to Alvar Aalto’s plan in the shape of reindeer antlers, peek into his library and stop at Lordi Square. Spend the afternoon at the Arktikum museum, where you’ll understand the aurora before you head out to look for it that evening.
After dark, walk over to the Jätkänkynttilä bridge, whose pylons glow like giant candles at night, and if the sky is clear, try your first aurora hunt right from the Arctic Garden by the Arktikum. You’ll find all the city tips in my article on what to see in Rovaniemi.
Where to stay in Rovaniemi:
For three nights I recommend Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus in the centre, or the more experience-focused Apukka Resort by the lake just outside town.
Day 2. Santa Claus Village and a husky safari
In the morning, head to Santa Claus Village (8 km — arrive at opening time to avoid the queues): cross the Arctic Circle, say hi to Santa and send a postcard with a stamp from Santa’s post office. I’ve written up everything that’s free and everything you pay for in my Santa Claus Village guide.
The afternoon is for the first big experience: a husky safari. A full ride with your own team costs €95–200 and is one of the highlights of the whole trip. In the evening, recover in the sauna — a full day outdoors awaits you tomorrow.
Day 3. The frozen Korouoma waterfalls (or Ranua with kids)
Today is a full-day trip to the Korouoma canyon (110 km to the southeast), where in winter the waterfalls freeze into blue-and-white ice walls up to 60 metres high. The hike among the ice falls with a campfire cookout feels like something from another planet — with a guide it costs €130–190, including transport and thermal gear.
With kids, head instead to the Ranua Arctic Zoo (80 km), home to Finland’s only polar bear. In the evening you have your third shot at the northern lights; if they haven’t appeared yet, consider a guided aurora tour (guides drive to wherever the sky is clear, around €150). Tours can be booked in advance through GetYourGuide.
Day 4. Heading north: Rovaniemi → Saariselkä
Pack up — today you drive 260 km north (about 3.5 hours) along the main E75 road towards Sodankylä. I recommend two stops along the way: lunch in Sodankylä and the Tankavaara Gold Village, where you can try panning at the gold museum and keep whatever you find.
In the afternoon you arrive in Saariselkä, Finland’s northernmost resort, on the edge of Urho Kekkonen National Park. The evening is where it really begins: up here the aurora is visible far more often than around Rovaniemi — just walk a few minutes away from the resort lights. I explain how to hunt it in my article on the northern lights in Lapland.
Where to stay in Saariselkä:
For two nights I recommend the aurora cabins at Northern Lights Village with heated glass above the bed, the view-filled Star Arctic Hotel on the hill, or (for one night as the highlight) the legendary igloos at Kakslauttanen.
Day 5. Saariselkä: reindeer, ski slopes and an ice bath
In the morning, visit a reindeer farm: a sleigh ride, feeding the reindeer, herders sharing stories about Sámi culture and a playful “reindeer driving licence” (€80–120). In the afternoon, pick what suits your mood: downhill and cross-country trails on Kaunispää, snowshoeing in the quiet fell, or Finland’s longest toboggan run right in the resort.
In the evening I recommend a Finnish classic: sauna and avanto, a dip into a hole cut in the frozen lake. It sounds crazy, but it’s addictive. 😅 And then out again for the aurora — statistically this is your best night of the whole trip.
Day 6. Inari: the Sámi heart of Lapland, and departure
On the last day, drive 40 minutes north to Inari, the heart of Sámi culture. The excellent Siida museum weaves together the story of the EU’s only indigenous people with the nature of the far north, and Lake Inari, with its three thousand islands, is magical even under the ice.
In the afternoon it’s just 35 minutes to Ivalo airport (home via Helsinki), or you can drive the 290 km back to Rovaniemi if you’re flying from there. And if you’ve got energy left, the Vikaköngäs rapids make a lovely stop on the way back. Safe travels!
How much the whole road trip costs
A rough budget for two people over 6 days: flights via Helsinki ~€500, car for 6 days with winter kit ~€330–500, accommodation (4 hotel nights + 1 aurora cabin) ~€1,400–2,100, activities (husky, reindeer, Korouoma) ~€600–800, food and fuel ~€400. So roughly from €3,300 for two — cheaper without the igloo night and with a kitchenette, pricier with Kakslauttanen. You’ll find money-saving tips in my Lapland guide.
Where to next: tips for more articles
When planning your road trip, these articles will come in handy too:
- Lapland: 20 tips on what to see and do
- Glass igloos in Lapland: the 8 best
- Northern lights in Lapland: when, where and how to see them
Frequently asked questions about the Lapland itinerary
How many days do I need for a road trip around Lapland?
Ideally 6 to 7 days: three nights in Rovaniemi (city, Santa, huskies, excursions) and two to three nights in the north in Saariselkä (reindeer, sauna, best chances for Northern Lights, Inari). In 4 days you’ll only cover Rovaniemi and surroundings, in a week you can also explore the national parks.
Can I handle driving in Lapland in winter?
Yes, Finnish winter roads are well-maintained and traffic is light. Rental companies automatically provide studded tyres in winter. Drive smoothly, refuel regularly, and watch out for reindeer on the road, especially at dusk: if you encounter a reindeer, stop and wait.
Can the itinerary be done without a car?
Yes, just with less flexibility. Buses run between Rovaniemi and Saariselkä along route E75, local transport operates in the towns, and for excursions (Korouoma, Ranua) you can take organized tours with hotel pick-up. However, a car significantly helps when hunting for the Northern Lights at night.
How much does a 6-day road trip around Lapland cost?
Roughly from €3,200 for two: flights ~€480, car €320 to €480, accommodation €1,400 to €2,000 (including one night in an aurora cabin), activities €600 to €800, and food with fuel ~€400. Without the igloo night and with self-catering you’ll save tens of percent.
When is the best time for this itinerary?
February and March: days are longer, skies are clearer (better chances for aurora), there’s the most snow, and prices are lower than at Christmas. However, the itinerary works throughout the entire winter from December to early April.
Why go all the way to Saariselkä when Rovaniemi is closer?
For the Northern Lights and the tranquility. Saariselkä lies 260 km further north, has minimal light pollution, and aurora is visible significantly more often here. Plus Finland’s northernmost ski resort, reindeer farms, and nearby Inari with Sámi culture. The combination of both bases gives Lapland its full breadth.
Where to fly home from: Ivalo or Rovaniemi?
If you find a flight from Ivalo (via Helsinki), you’ll save 290 km of return driving—the airport is only 35 minutes from Saariselkä. Returning to Rovaniemi makes sense if you have a charter or a significantly cheaper flight from there. Rental companies can handle car returns in a different city for an additional fee.
Tips and Tricks for Your Vacation
Don’t Overpay for Flights
Search for flights on Kayak. It’s our favorite search engine because it scans the websites of all airlines and always finds the cheapest connection.
Book Your Accommodation Smartly
The best experiences we’ve had when looking for accommodation (from Alaska to Morocco) are with Booking.com, where hotels, apartments, and entire houses are usually the cheapest and most widely available.
🚗 Car rental on the roadVerified rental cars in FinlandSearch with the DiscoverCars comparison engine — it compares prices from dozens of local and international rental companies, and most bookings come with free cancellation.
Compare car prices in Finland →Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Good travel insurance will protect you against illness, accidents, theft, or flight cancellations. We’ve had a few hospital visits abroad, so we know how important it is to have proper insurance arranged.
Where we insure ourselves: SafetyWing (best for everyone) and TrueTraveller (for extra-long trips).
Why don’t we recommend any Czech insurance company? Because they have too many restrictions. They set limits on the number of days abroad, travel insurance via a credit card often requires you to pay medical expenses only with that card, and they frequently limit the number of returns to the Czech Republic.
Find the Best Experiences
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can book guided walks, trips, skip-the-line tickets, tours, and much more. We always find some extra fun there!
