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Lapland trips from Ireland

How to get to Lapland from Ireland: direct flights to Rovaniemi, packages and charters, when to book, what to pack and how to keep costs down.

Updated Saturday 17 October 2026

A Christmas trip to Lapland is on a lot of Irish family wish lists. It is also one of the dearest short breaks you can book. This guide covers the main ways to go, and how to get better value.

Where you are going

Most Irish trips go to Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland. Finns consider it the official home town of Santa Claus. It is home to Santa Claus Village, at the Arctic Circle. The city centre is about 6 km south of the Circle.

Some packages use Kittilä Airport instead, further north, for resorts such as Levi.

Flights from Ireland

Based on current airport route tables, checked in October 2026:

  • Dublin: Ryanair runs seasonal winter flights to Rovaniemi. Aer Lingus operates seasonal charter flights to Rovaniemi and Kittilä, and TUI operates seasonal charters to Kittilä. Charter seats are usually sold through tour operators as part of a package.
  • Shannon: Ryanair runs seasonal winter flights to Rovaniemi.
  • Belfast International: easyJet runs seasonal flights to Rovaniemi.

Last winter, Ryanair’s Irish Rovaniemi flights started in late October 2025, from Dublin on 26 October and Shannon on 27 October. Check Ryanair’s site for exact 2026/27 dates and days of the week.

Cork, Knock and Kerry do not have scheduled Lapland flights in the current tables. Tour operators sometimes run one-off charters from regional airports, so check with them directly.

The flight from Dublin to Rovaniemi takes roughly three and a quarter hours.

Your three main options

1. A day trip. You fly out early, spend a few hours in Lapland and fly home that night. Day trips are sold from some UK airports, such as London Southend. Ask Irish operators whether one runs near you. It is a long, tiring day for small children.

2. A package of two or three nights. Irish tour operators sell short breaks with flights, hotel, activities and a visit to Santa. Sunway, for example, sells two and three night Christmas trips from Dublin. Its trips include a thermal suit and boots on loan.

3. Do it yourself. Book a Ryanair or easyJet flight and a hotel on Booking.com, then add activities locally. This can work out cheaper. You must book every part yourself, and you lose package protection.

If you do it yourself, book the Santa visit and activities such as husky or reindeer rides before you go. December is the busiest month.

When to go

Most families go in late November and December. Sunway says its holidays run right up to a few days before Christmas. It also notes that early December is less cold than late December.

Expect real cold. In Rovaniemi, the average daily high is about minus 5°C in December and about minus 7°C in January. That is the average high, not the low.

Daylight is very short. Rovaniemi does not get a full polar night, but the sun barely gets above the horizon in mid-winter. Plan activities for the middle of the day.

If you want to see Santa without the Christmas crowds, January and February are worth a look. Days are longer and you avoid peak Christmas demand.

What to pack

Packages often lend you outer layers. If yours does not, you need proper cold-weather clothing. Sunway’s own advice is a good guide:

  • Thermal underwear and warm tights as base layers
  • Warm hats and scarves
  • Waterproof, insulated gloves
  • Layers you can add or remove indoors

Sunway says wellies and denim jeans are not suitable. Cotton gets cold when damp. Buggies do not work well in deep snow, so bring a baby carrier or ask about sleds.

For children under two, Sunway recommends a thermal snow suit and a check with your doctor before travel.

Documents

Finland is in the EU, so Irish citizens do not need a visa. Your passport must be valid for your whole stay. The Department of Foreign Affairs says the Irish passport card is also valid for travel within the EU.

Check your tour operator’s terms, though. Sunway says all Irish citizens can only travel with a valid Irish passport. Follow what your operator asks for.

Bring your European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and take out travel insurance. The EHIC does not cover private care or getting you home.

When to book

Christmas Lapland trips are in demand. Popular dates, especially weekends in December, can sell out. If you need specific dates, book early.

Late deals do appear, mostly on quieter weekdays or early in the season. If you can travel midweek in late November or early December, you will see more choice.

Budget tips

  • Go midweek. Weekend dates in December tend to cost more.
  • Go early in the season. Late November and early December are often cheaper than the week before Christmas.
  • Compare a package with DIY. Price the flight and hotel separately, then add activities. Check what the package includes, such as clothing hire and Santa visits.
  • Choose fewer, better activities. Husky and snowmobile safaris are expensive. One good activity can be enough for younger children.
  • Consider Belfast or Shannon. If you live near either, a direct flight may save a long drive to Dublin.

Sources

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