A vacation to Lapland requires a little extra preparation. It’s likely that you have a few questions before booking your trip to Lapland. For example, how cold is it in Lapland? How do you dress for such extreme cold? And can you always see the Northern Lights there? In this article, we will answer the 8 most frequently asked questions by Lapland travelers, give our tips, and hopefully, get you excited to embark on this adventure! 

Is Lapland a Country?

Although the name may suggest that Lapland is a country, it has not been one for a long time. Once, it was the land of the Sami people, but nowadays, it is a region. Lapland extends over the most northern area of Scandinavia and a small part of Russia. Most people go on vacation to Finnish Lapland, but also a quarter of Sweden is located in Lapland. We went on vacation to Finnish Lapland, and all the photos in our articles were taken there.

What Is the Best Time to Travel to Lapland?

While Lapland is also beautiful in the summer, most people opt for the ultimate winter experience. When planning a vacation to Lapland, you should also consider the number of daylight hours. In a significant part of Lapland, the sun does not rise above the horizon in December. From January onwards, the number of daylight hours increases, and the sun appears just above the horizon. The best time to travel to Lapland is from mid-January to March. January generally sees the most snowfall, and in a typical winter, the snow remains until spring. February is usually the coldest month in Lapland, but the sun starts to show itself more. We chose the first week of February for our trip. The sun was shining between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, but it was still light before and after those times.

How Cold is It in Lapland?

Generally, the temperature in Lapland during winter ranges from -5°C (23°F.) to -35°C (-31°F) . It can vary widely, but in the winter months, the temperature rarely goes above freezing. While occasional above-freezing temperatures may occur, especially as the Earth is getting warmer, it remains exceptional. Weather forecasts are not always accurate in Lapland, and there can be significant local temperature differences. During our vacation in Lapland, we experienced both -2°C (28°F) and -35°C (-31°F) on different days, even though the weather forecast before our trip indicated an average of -18°C (0°F) for the entire week.

Do Your Telephone and Camera Work in Lapland?

Indeed, in extremely cold temperatures, batteries may not perform as efficiently in Lapland. If you’re bringing a camera, it’s wise to carry an extra battery as a precaution. Your phone might also shut down or deplete its battery quickly. Bringing a power bank can be helpful, allowing you to recharge your phone if it struggles in the cold. There’s no need to worry about permanent damage to your devices. Just be prepared and take necessary precautions to ensure they function optimally during your trip.

 

How to Plan Your Holidays to Lapland?

A vacation to Lapland can be planned in multiple ways. You can opt for a trekking adventure, travel around by car, or, more commonly, visit a destination and engage in activities from there. That’s exactly how we approached it, too. We booked a week-long trip to Lapland with Lapland Travel. We stayed in a cozy log cabin surrounded by snow in a beautiful small village located high in the northern part of Finland. Throughout the week, we embarked on various bucket-list activities and had the most amazing experiences. If you want to know more about our journey in Lapland, you can read about our experience with Lapland Travel.

Can You Always See the Northern Lights in Lapland?

The Northern Lights is a phenomenon that you definitely want to witness when you go on vacation to Lapland. The Northern Lights are always present to some extent in Lapland, but that doesn’t mean you can see them all the time. Firstly, the sky must be clear, and there should be enough geomagnetic activity and solar wind. Using the Aurora app, you can check the likelihood of seeing the Northern Lights on a particular day and the best time to go outside. Find a location as dark as possible, away from artificial lights, and preferably somewhere with a wide-open view of the sky.

How to Dress During Your Holidays in Lapland?

If you’re traveling to Lapland in the winter, it’s essential to be prepared for extreme cold. While it might not be as severe as expected, it’s better to bring more clothing than you think you need, as the cold can also be dangerous. To help you prepare adequately, we have created a packing list for Lapland, where we share tips for essential items and the type of clothing you should bring along.

What Are the Total Costs for A Holiday to Lapland?

Scandinavia is not a budget-friendly travel destination, but a vacation to Lapland doesn’t have to be very expensive. The cost depends on what you want to do, but with Lapland Travel, prices start from $1276,36 per person for a week. We found a week to be sufficient to experience everything, so we wouldn’t recommend staying much longer. This price includes flights, transfers, accommodation, and five activities, with additional fun activities available to add on. We cooked in our log cabin, so local expenses were reasonable. Keep in mind that supermarket prices in Lapland are a bit higher than for example in Europe.