Lapland Hotels

Santa's Lapland is above the Arctic Circle, so the right clothing makes all the difference in keeping you warm and happy.

We'll provide complimentary thermal outer-suits, cosy socks, snow-boots and outer gloves for your stay. Underneath, it's best to wear thermal base layers, a fleece or roll-neck, and a jacket or anorak, as several lighter layers will keep you warmer than one thick item.

We also recommend bringing waterproof mittens or gloves (especially for children's snow play), a hat that covers the ears, and a scarf or balaclava to protect your face if needed.

For more tips, take a look at our full guide on what to wear and pack.

Yes absolutely as there will be so many magical moments to capture! However, extreme cold can adversely affect some cameras, so do check the manufacturers’ guidelines.

Camera and phone batteries also discharge very quickly in the cold, so bring plenty of spares! Also be aware of the ‘twilight’ times, when flash photography is necessary.

Passengers travelling with Titan have a baggage allowance of 1x 20kg Hold luggage and 1x 10kg Hand baggage per person.

Passengers travelling with Jet2 have a baggage allowance of 1x 22kg Hold luggage and 1x10 kg Hand baggage per person.

If you are flying from London Southend (SEN) your luggage restrictions may be limited compared to the standard airline limits, please check your confirmation invoice for specific details. Infants and children under 2yrs do not receive a luggage allowance.

As of the 1st January 2021, the UK has left the EU. Here’s what you need to know before travelling with us:

Passports: You'll need to ensure that you have at least six months validity left on your passport when returning from EU countries. You may also be required to provide evidence of your return ticket and that you have enough currency for your holiday when arriving in your destination. For more advice on entry requirements, please visit the Government website.

EU Entry/Exit System (EES) – from 12 October 2025:

From 12 October 2025, the European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin. This system will apply when travelling into and out of the Schengen area for short stays.

What to expect at the border:
• You may need to have your fingerprints and a photo taken.
• You may be asked to answer Schengen Border Code questions.
• If you enter the Schengen area through Port of Dover, Eurotunnel at Folkestone or St Pancras International, this will happen before you leave the UK.
• Upon departure from the Schengen area, you may need to provide either a fingerprint or photo again.

Important for families:
• Children aged 11 and under will provide a photo only.
• Adults and children aged 12 and over will provide both a photo and fingerprints.

Please be aware that processing times at the border may be longer than usual, particularly during busy ski and Lapland travel periods. Although the rollout will be phased over six months, we advise all guests to allow extra time when crossing borders, as we cannot predict how each port will implement the new system.

For more information, please visit the Government website: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/eu-entryexit-system

Travel Disruption: When entering and exiting countries, it is your responsibility to give yourself extra time to get through the immigration queues in the airports as there will be delays. We may have to organise our transfers slightly to help with this and ensure that you have extra time.

Driving in the EU: From 28 September UK stickers will replace GB stickers. Check the GOV.UK Displaying number plates website for more information on what to do if you are driving outside the UK.

If you are hiring a car, ensure you have a green card. In both cases you must make sure that you have the relevant international driving insurance with your chosen provider.

EHIC Cards and Travel Insurance: Under a new agreement with the EU, UK residents are now able to apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) if your current European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) has expired. This will give you access to emergency and medically necessary healthcare in the EU during your holiday. You can still use your EHIC card, excluding Switzerland and Norway, if it is still valid and in date and as part of our terms and conditions, you must also still hold valid travel insurance to cover your personal circumstances, (pre-existing conditions, etc). In Norway, you can show your UK Passport to receive limited urgent healthcare.

Data Roaming: Free data roaming will cease, therefore you need to be aware of any additional charges for using your phone and data abroad. Most of our properties have complimentary Wi-Fi for guests to use, but please remember that this is for social usage only.

ATOL & ABTA: As we are an ATOL and ABTA bonded UK travel company, guests booking with us enjoy comprehensive consumer protection. Your holiday will be protected under the Package Travel Regulations, which means you have the right to a full refund if, for any reason, we can no longer provide your holiday.

Visas:

EES: From Autumn 2025 we expect to see the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit System (EES) – an automated IT system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180 day period) each time they cross the external borders of European countries. It is anticipated that this will replace passport stamping and automate border control procedures. For more information on EES, please visit: General information - European Union (europa.eu).

ETIAS: From late Summer 2026 onwards it is anticipated that the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) will be effective, which will require visa-exempt EU nationals, including UK citizens, to hold an electronic authorisation to travel to or within the Schengen Zone (currently 27 EU member states, plus Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus). An ETIAS travel authorisation is a visa waiver which will be required regardless of the length of your visit. Once granted, it will be valid for 3 years or until your passport expires. It can only be applied for online and a fee will be payable unless an exemption applies. If you are unable to travel on your holiday because you have not obtained an ETIAS travel authorisation, our normal cancellation charges will apply. For more information on ETIAS, please visit: What is ETIAS - European Union (europa.eu).

The UK government and ABTA have also put together some useful information about holidaying in the EU after the 31st January 2020. These resources can be found below:

• ABTA advice for travellers
• Guidance for UK nationals travelling to the EU
• Healthcare for UK nationals visiting the EU

You can fly from 15 regional airports from around the UK, including London Gatwick, London Luton, London Stansted, Southend (SEN), Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool, Newcastle, Glasgow, Edinburgh & East Midlands.

You'll fly direct to Ivalo, Saariselkä’s local airport, with just a short 25 minute transfer to resort on arrival.

On board, there's a buy-on-board service with drinks and snacks, though we recommend packing a few extras for little ones.

To add to the excitement, the cabin crew may also host some festive activities during the outbound flight to keep children entertained.

It's a condition of booking that you and your party have suitable winter sports travel insurance from a reputable provider.

We recommend arranging this as soon as you book, so you're protected if you need to cancel before travelling, as well as during your holiday in the event of illness or injury.

Your policy should cover all the activities you plan to take part in, especially winter activities such as snowmobiling and husky sledding.

If you've booked the snowmobile safari, the provider will also offer local insurance to reduce the cost of any damage while driving.

Our insurance partner, Campbell Irvine, offers comprehensive travel insurance with winter sports cover and can provide a quote.

Santa's Lapland is an Unregulated Introducer of Campbell Irvine Ltd who are authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Yes. Through our partnership with APH, Santa's Lapland customers can save up to 35% on airport parking at UK airports.

With our flights departing early in the morning, you might also like to book an 'Airport Hotel and Parking' package.

If an overnight stay isn't for you, APH's 'Meet & Greet' Valet Parking is a great option. Simply drive to the terminal, hand your car to an APH chauffeur, and they'll park it in a secure car park. When you return, your car will be waiting for you at the terminal, ready for the journey home.

Yes, you can pre-book seats by calling our Call Centre. Seats cost £20 per person, return (infants under 2 do not get their own seat). Check-in is at the airport only. When you arrive, head straight to your flight's designated check-in desk. We recommend arriving at least 2.5 hours before departure to allow time for check-in, security, and reaching your gate.

We will send out full details to you with our special writing paper for your little ones – all this is supplied with your pre-departure information.

Yes. You'll receive your vouchers in the welcome pack given to you locally in resort by our team (not in your pre-departure pack). These voucher/s confirm any optional activities you've pre-booked, including the date and time. You'll also see details of your pre-brooked activities on your invoices.

All of our experiences include return flights to Ivalo Airport, shared coach transfers, half-board accommodation (unless you've opted for bed and breakfast), a fun-filled activity day with a private family visit to see Santa, husky ride, reindeer ride and complimentary snowsuits and boots to keep you warm.

It’s easy once you’ve had the safety briefing from your guide. To drive, you must be over 18 and hold a full photo card driving licence.

Each snowmobile can carry two people, one driver and one passenger, provided the passenger is over 14 years old, can reach the footrests, and hold on securely.

If you’d prefer to have your own snowmobile without a passenger, you can book a single driver supplement.

It’s also possible to ride in a sleigh pulled behind the guide’s snowmobile, though this must be requested in advance and is subject to availability.

Yes, there is time to go downhill skiing on the ‘Adventure Day’ on the Santa's Magic and Santa's Aurora Packages three night breaks.

Book at the same time as your holiday, after you've booked via 'Manage Your Booking' or call us.

Our optional adventures are available to book on our two and three night experiences on both Santa's Magic and Santa's Aurora.

On our two night trips, Northern lights adventures, if pre-booked will usually take place on the first evening. Most other adventures can be booked for the morning of your last day.

Please see each adventure page for details. If you wish to book any last minute activities in resort our Destination Experts are there to help, however these are subject to availability so we reccommend to pre-book these in advance to avoid disappointment.

When booking optional adventures while in resort you may be paying in the local currency, therefore the price can vary.

The deposit amount you pay for your holiday is £150 per person (excluding infants). This is taken when confirming your booking.

If we have secured additional scheduled or low-cost flights for your booking, we will take payment to cover any additional costs at the same time as taking your deposit.

Please note that these are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.

***Price Match Promise: If you are yet to book, and you find your Santa’s Lapland holiday cheaper elsewhere, we’ll price match it. Please contact us to find out more. Applicable to new bookings only.

You can find our latest Santa's Lapland deals here. Our offers are subject to availability and we have often have limited places, so it's best to book early to avoid disappointment. 

On our three-night breaks, your Optional Adventures are usually arranged for your Adventure Day (Day 3) , except for departures on 23 or 24 December (Day 2).

If you've booked the Northern Lights Adventure, this may take place on your arrival night or on your Adventure Day. You'll find the exact date and time in your welcome pack on arrival, along with your voucher.

Please note, all timings are subject to availability and will be confirmed once you're in resort, so it's vital that you check these as soon as you receive your welcome pack.

The weather is an important factor on our Santa’s Lapland holidays, we’re always keeping an eye on the forecast and speaking with our local suppliers. If we have any cause for concern about the weather conditions, we will endeavour to contact you 7 days before your departure to let you know.

If we and our suppliers believe that there’s not enough snow to run the activities included in your Santa’s Lapland package, we will contact you again 72 hours before travel with an update and advice on the options available to you, which may include cancellation.

In the event that we decide that there is insufficient snow you will have the following choices:

• you can amend your travel dates to any of our other Santa’s Lapland dates that are available in the same season and at no cost, provided that the elements of the holiday (accommodation, room type, duration and party composition) remain the same. If you change any of the holiday elements, you’ll need to pay the difference in price if it is more expensive, or if the new arrangements are cheaper, you will receive a refund of the difference.
• If you decide not to travel at all, you can cancel with a full refund of all monies paid to Santa’s Lapland for the trip.

You can find out more about who our Santa's Lapland holidays are best enjoyed by here.

Yes, absolutely! Many grandparents head to Lapland every year and they have tremendous fun, not to mention the simple joy of being with the grandchildren in such a magically special place! You can find out more about who our Santa's Lapland holidays are for here.

On selected dates we also offer savings for grandparents travelling with family. Find out more about our grandparents savings here. 

Yes, amendments can be made outside of 10 weeks prior to your departure date, provided it's to another date within the same year. You can't postpone your holiday to the following year.

The deposit amount you pay for your holiday is £150 per person (excluding infants). This is taken when confirming your booking.

If we have secured additional scheduled or low-cost flights for your booking, we will take payment to cover any additional costs at the same time as taking your deposit.

Please note that these are non-refundable in the event of cancellation.

Yes, on the itineraries we share with you, you'll spot that there is plenty of free ‘fun-time’. Saariselkä has several small souvenir shops and a supermarket for purchasing traditional Lappish goodies, with Ivalo airport also having a small selection of souvenir shops.

Thermal suits are collected on the way from the airport to your accommodation and kept for the duration of your stay, then returned on departure day.

You don't need to provide sizes in advance, but if you require a larger size, let us know when you book so we can set one aside.

The largest suit available is size 68 (6XL), in both short and wide, and long and wide fits (up to 205cm). We also have a jacket and trousers option up to 7XL. Boots range from children's size 7 (EU 24) to adult size UK 17 (EU 52).

In December, temperatures are usually around -12°C, but can drop as low as -30°. With the complimentary thermal suits and boots we provide, plus a few thin layers underneath, you'll stay warm and comfortable. If extreme weather affects plans, our team will adjust the itinerary to make sure your trip remains magical. You can find out more about Lapland and Saariselka here.

As you can imagine, we want you to experience the true, traditional spirit of Christmas, set in the unspoilt wilderness of Lapland, where each family’s private meeting with Santa is much less commercialised for example than a department-store ‘grotto’ in the UK.

Saariselkä has kept its charming, unspoilt atmosphere and ‘winter wonderland’ feel, which creates a far more magical and Christmassy atmosphere than some larger resorts.

You can find out more about Lapland and Saariselka here.

Yes, most people in Saariselkä speak English extremely well as do our team.

There's about four and a half hours of daylight in December, with approximately two to three hours of ‘grey light’ either side, rather like twilight in the UK.

The Euro is the local currency in Lapland, with only one cash-point machine in Saariselkä so please ensure you bring enough Euros with you!

Major credit cards (except American Express) are accepted in hotels, most restaurants and for booking the optional adventures locally.

Our accommodations offer buffet-style breakfasts with plenty of variety to suit all tastes.

On your 'Search for Santa' day, we'll provide a tasty lunch to keep your energy up!

Lunch isn't included on arrival or departure days, or on the 'Adventure Day' during Santa's three-night breaks.

Dinners are also generally buffet-style, with a mix of international dishes, local Lappish specialities, and child-friendly options.

The ‘Aurora Borealis’, more commonly known as the Northern Lights, is a natural phenomenon caused by solar particles colliding with the earth’s magnetic field.

As a natural event, no one can predict or guarantee their appearance during your stay. However, December is one of the best times to see them, and Saariselkä is an ideal location, being one of Lapland’s most northerly resorts.

Lapland is 2 hours ahead of UK time in December (i.e. GMT + 2).

We’ve put together two helpful guides to assist with planning your trip. Explore our guide options based on your package choice below:

• Santa's Magic 
• Aurora Package

Yes absolutely! We know how important and magical this moment is, so your visit will be just you and Santa. A sleigh pulled by Snowmobile will take you through the snowy forest to find his hidden log cabin.

Even if you're travelling with another family on the same booking, each family will have their own private meeting. Every child will also receive a gift from Santa, making the experience truly unforgettable.

All children under 13 will get a small present from Santa's sack, something the elves have been working on that week.

Make sure your little ones know that Santa is busy preparing for Christmas morning, so he won't have the presents they've asked for just yet. He'll deliver them to home as normal.

To keep the spirit of the season and ensure every child feels equally special, Santa won't be able to give out your own presents.

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office compiles travel advice which is constantly kept up to date. We would urge you to sign up to notifications ahead of your trip and ensure that you're up to date on any specific passport and visa requirements.

Read our policy on Animal Protection here.