The Ultimate Guide to a Winter Trip to Finland as a Study Abroad Student
- caitieabroad null
- Jan 26
- 8 min read
(How I Planned It, What It Cost, Where I Stayed & What I’d Do Again)
Finland was never on my original "study abroad weekend trips" list, until it became one of the most unforgettable trips I've ever taken. Between chasing the Northern Lights, snow-covered landscapes straight out of a movie, and doing things I'd never experienced before, Finland completely surprised me in the best way.
I get so many questions about this trip: How did you afford it? Where did you stay? Was it hard to plan? How did you travel? How did you see the Northern Lights? What activities did you book? I remember how overwhelming it felt trying to plan trips in countries I'd never been to before, especially while studying abroad and budgeting at the same time.
That's why I'm sharing everything I learned: what worked, what I'd do differently, and how I made this trip stress-free and affordable as a student.
If Finland is on your dream list (or you're even slightly curious), this guide will walk you through exactly how to do it, step-by-step.
Table of Contents
How I Got to Finland (From Europe as a Student)
One of the bigest misconceptions is that Finland is "too far" or "too expensive," especially during winter.
In reality, it was easier to get to than I expected.
I flew into Helsinki, which has great connections from major European cities. From there, domestic flights and trains make it simple to reach Rovaniemi, which is the city we stayed in.
My BEST advice for the most affordable way to get there:
Book flights early: don't make the mistake I did a lot and book trips last minute. This trip requires a lot of planning and booking at least 2 weeks before you want to go.
Flying midweek is usually cheaper: try booking flights for Wednesday or Thursday and come back early/late Sunday or Monday as those flights can be cheaper than weekend flights
Budget airlines: use airlines like RyanAir for the cheapest flights. Use Skyscanner in incognito mode to find the best and cheapest flights
Big sister tip: I would try and book a direct flight to Rovaniemi to save money and time. I saw some cheap flights from RyanAir that fly directly to Rovaniemi. If there are no direct flights from your city, I recommend flying to Helsinki and catch a domestic flight to Rovaniemi.
If you're studying abroad in Europe, Finland is surprisingly accessbile, it just requires planning ahead.
Where I stayed in Finland
Where you stay depends on the experience you want. The accomodation in Finland can be really expensive based on how many people you're with, when you are going, and if you're staying in a hostel vs. hotel vs. a luxurious hotel (ie. snow igloos).
If you're traveling with a big group, everything can be cheaper because there's more people to split the expense. However, if you're like me and only have one other person to go with, places to stay can be costly.
If you are looking for more affordable accomodations, I recommend checking out the hostels here.
If you would rather have a private room that's still affordable than other accomodations, I recommend checking out where I stayed.
My friend and I stayed at Snow Crystal Apartment from Wednesday to Friday, but we ended up booking two more nights because we decided not to rent a car for two reasons:
Too risky to drive in snowy and icy conditions: if you have experience and/or are comfortable driving in bad weather conditions, then it may be cheaper to rent a car to explore more of Northern Lapland like Levi, but do at your own risk.
Very convenient: located 15 minutes from the Rovaniemi Airport and placed right in the center of the city with only a 5 minute walk at most from all of our activities we booked on our trip.
My BEST advice I learned: Staying somewhere that is near activities or transportation saves money, time, and stress.
Best Things to Do in Finland (Winter Activities You Can't Miss)
This is where Finland truly stands out! I used GetYourGuide to book all of my winter activities from seeing the Northern Lights on the border of Sweden and Finland to snowmobiling in the snowy forests of Northern Lapland.
Northern Lights Chasing
Seeing the Northern Lights was unreal, and something I'll never forget! Here is the exact Northern Lights Tour I booked that I highly recommend.
The Northern Lights are not guarenteed, but this tour company will give you a total refund if you are not able to see them. However, this year (2026) is suppose to be the best year to see the Northern Lights at its peak, and it can last until late March!
My BEST advice: plan and book now so you don't miss this amazing opportunity! You can book this tour here before the price goes up or sells out!!
Husky Sledding
One of the most fun experiences I've ever done! It felt straight out of a movie and was surprisingly beginner-friendly.
This is the exact excursion my friend and I booked that we both LOVED! It includes husky sledding, reindeer ride, and a visit to Santa Claus Village where you get to cross the arctic circle! PLUS this tour includes lunch at a cozy lounge cabin with an insane view of a frozen lake that's perfect for Instagrammable pictrures or to experience a winter wonderland view.
If you only want to do husy sledding or this tour is out of your budget range, here are a few other top-rated options you can book to still do this amazing experience!
Reindeer Sled Ride
Very peaceful, very Finnish, and such a unique way to explore snowy landscapes! I used the same tour for the husky sledding.
If that's too expensive or you only want to experience reindeer sled ride, here are a few other affordable options!
Snowmobiling
If you love adventure, this is a must! Riding through the frozen forests was insane and beautiful. Here is the exact tour my friend and I booked that we highly recommend for a good price and experience.
Here are a few more cheaper snowmobiling activities to check out and book if the one I did is sold out.
Sauna & Ice Plunge
Terrifying... and then oddly amazing. If you want a true Finnish experience, I recommend doing the sauna ice plunge. I did not have enough time to do this tradition, but if I did, I totally would! If you're interested in this Finnish experience, I linked a bunch of affordable options below!
Arctic Ice Floating
Another insane and unique Finnish experience you can book is floating in the arctic waters while seeing the Northern Lights!
If you're still looking for more adventure or unique activities to do in Finland, check these out!
What to Pack for Finland in Winter
Packing correctly makes or breaks this trip.
Rovaniemi's average temperatures from January to March remain well below freezing, with January being the coldest (around -7°C or 19°F to -14°C or 7°F highs/lows) and temperatures gradually warming by March (around -1°C or 30°F to -13°C or 9°F highs/lows).
So, it's best to bring lots of layers and warm clothes, especially if you hate the cold like me.
Here are the must-haves for a winter trip like this:
Thermal base layers (easily can order on Amazon or at a market/store)
Waterproof snow boots (or rain boots if you're like me and didn't have snow boots)
Thick socks (wool > cotton)
Gloves + hat
Scarf / face covering
Portable chargers (cold drains batteries)
Most winter tours provide heavy-duty snow outerwear, so don’t panic-buy everything. BUT, definitely check if snow outerwear is included in your winter activities before booking, and if it's not, then you can rent snow gear in the city!
How Much My Finland Trip Cost
This is the part that everyone wants to know.
Our trip to Finland was not cheap because we did not book it early enough.
At the time, there were no direct flights to Rovaniemi, so we had to do an overlay in Helsinki.
We also changed our plans half-way through our stay because we originally were going to rent a car and stay in a hotel in Levi (2 hours away from Rovaniemi) to see the snow igloos and snowboard, however, we did not want to risk it with the snowy road conditions and there is a ski resort in Rovaniemi. Therefore, we had to book for two more nights at the place we were at very last minute.
This is why I highlight how important it is to plan this trip at least 2 weeks out from the dates you want to go for the best and cheapest prices (& stick to your itinerary/plan lol).
Here’s a rough breakdown (prices vary depending on timing and deals):
Flights: €50–€100+ (from Europe, booked early)
Accommodation: €20–€150+ per night (depends on hostel vs. hotel)
Activities package: €89–€200+
Food: €25–€40 per day
Transportation: €10–€20
Total estimate:
€400–€700+ for a multi-day winter trip
Not cheap, but 100% worth it for how unique the experience is!
Is Finland Worth It for Study Abroad Students?
Short answer: Yes, especially as a winter trip!!
Finland isn’t a party destination like Ibiza or Mykonos. It’s for:
Unique experiences
Nature lovers
Bucket-list moments
Students who want something different
It was one of my favorite trips because:
I saw the Northern Lights
I tried traditional Finnish food that was AMAZING (have to try the salmon soup and traditional sautéed reindeer dish)
Visiting Santa Claus Village and crossing the arctic circle
Snowmobiling in the snowy forests
Meeting the cute huskies and going for a sled ride
Seeing the most iconic Finland animal: reindeers!!!
The pretty pink sunsets setting at 2pm
Sledding for FREE and iceskating in the city, so cool meeting other travelers and locals
Not that many people visit Finland and are able to experience this magical, winter wonderland place
YOLO!!! Money comes back, time & experience DOES NOT
Final Tips + What I’d Do Differently
I've made some mistakes on this trip, but that's why I am writing this blog so you don't make the same mistakes and save even more money with these helpful tips.
My BEST advice:
Book winter trips early and on weekdays
Don’t overpack: layers matter more
(I only packed a couple sweatshirts, sweatpants, thermal pants, and warm shirts to wear as windbreakers. I just reworn my clothes to save space with packing and money)
I do highly recommend to bring warm, fluffy socks because my feet were the only thing that would get cold
Choose experiences over luxury: the activities I did were the best part of my trip, especially the Northern Lights Tour, snow mobiling, and the husky, reindeer & Santa Claus Village package
Use Bolt instead of Uber for cheaper transportation prices (if you're with a bigger group and are comfortable driving in snowy conditions, then renting a 4-wheel drive car can be cheaper)
Go with an open mindset (the cold is worth it)
Final Thoughts
Finland might not be the most affordable study abroad trip, but it became one of my most meaningful and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re considering a winter trip that feels once-in-a-lifetime, Finland is absolutely worth putting on your list!
If you have questions, want packing advice, or need help deciding what activities to book, I’m always happy to help 🤍
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