What destinations can I expect to visit on Northern Lights tours from Helsinki?

Tours from Helsinki take you through the best spots in Finnish Lapland and Northern Norway. You'll start in Helsinki before heading to places like Rovaniemi, where you can visit Santa's village, and Ivalo, located 250 miles above the Arctic Circle. Many trips include stops in Honningsvåg, the northernmost city in Europe, and Tromsø. You'll get to stay in some really special places like Aurora Village, which has glass-roofed cabins perfect for watching the lights, and the Scandic Bryggen hotel in Honningsvåg. As one TourRadar traveler said, "The variety of destinations was amazing - from Helsinki's urban culture to the remote Arctic wilderness, each stop offered something unique."

What activities will I do on Northern Lights tours from Helsinki?

Besides looking for the aurora, you'll get to try classic Arctic activities like dog sledding with huskies, visiting reindeer farms, and going snowmobiling. Most trips take you to Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi and include fun winter activities like ice fishing on frozen lakes. You'll also get to experience traditional Finnish saunas at places like Holiday Club Saariselkä and Hotel Aakenus. One TourRadar traveler shared their experience: "From meeting huskies and reindeer to snowmobiling through pristine forests and watching the Northern Lights, every day brought incredible new experiences." Some tours even include photography tips to help you capture the aurora.

What type of places will I stay in on Northern Lights tours from Helsinki?

You'll find a mix of unique places to stay, from glass-roofed cabins where you can watch the aurora to comfortable Finnish hotels. Popular spots include the GLO Hotel Art in Helsinki, the Aurora Village in Ivalo with its special glass-roofed cabins, and Hotel Aakenus in Rovaniemi. One TourRadar traveler said: "The glass igloo experience was unforgettable - watching the Northern Lights from the comfort of our warm bed was magical." Most places have their own saunas and are located away from city lights to give you the best chance of seeing the aurora.

How do I get from Helsinki to the Northern Lights viewing spots?

You'll usually take either the Santa Claus Express overnight train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi, which takes about 12 hours, or a short flight to northern cities like Ivalo (about 2.5 hours). As one TourRadar traveler mentioned: "The overnight train journey was surprisingly comfortable and helped us save valuable daytime hours for activities." Once you're up north, you'll travel between spots by bus.

What kind of food is included on Northern Lights tours from Helsinki?

Tours typically cover your daily breakfast and some dinners featuring local Finnish food. You'll get to try reindeer dishes, fresh Arctic fish, and traditional Lappish foods at places like Santa's Tunturi Hotel and local restaurants in Rovaniemi. One TourRadar traveler said: "The food was excellent, especially the traditional Lappish meals served around campfires during our Northern Lights excursions." If you have special dietary needs, just let them know ahead of time.

What special places can I stay in on Northern Lights tours from Helsinki?

You can stay in some really unique places, including glass-roofed igloos at Aurora Village in Ivalo, cozy Finnish log cabins at Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, and modern hotels like GLO Hotel Art in Helsinki and Scandic Alta. One TourRadar traveler shared, "Sleeping under the stars in a glass igloo while watching the Northern Lights dance above was absolutely magical - the highlight of our entire trip."

Where are the best spots to see the Northern Lights near Helsinki?

While you won't see the lights in Helsinki itself, your tour will take you to prime viewing locations like Ivalo (250 miles above the Arctic Circle), Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort, and Aurora Village. These places have special viewing areas set up just for watching the lights. You'll also visit spots like North Cape and Tromsø, which are known for great aurora viewing. One TourRadar traveler noted, "The glass-roofed cabins at Aurora Village offered perfect comfort for watching the lights, while guided excursions took us to remote spots with zero light pollution."

Northern Lights Tours from Helsinki

Visiting the Northern Lights from Helsinki is a magical experience. Dig deep into Helsinki's design district, fly to Lapland, visit Santa Claus Village, experience husky sledding, and hunt the famous aurora borealis. Stay in glass igloos, meet reindeer, and truly experience the Arctic Circle winter. Seeing those lights dance overhead is worth every bit of cold.

10 best Northern Lights tour packages from Helsinki

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Northern Lights
Winter in Finland: Lapland & Northern Lights
5.0 (1 review)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
From
US$3,299per person
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Northern Lights
The Northern Lights of Finland (2026)
5.0 (2 reviews)
"Excellent tour."
Thomas, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Kakslauttanen
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
From
US$5,499per person
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Northern Lights
Finland’s Northern Lights (Solo Women Adventure)
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi
Age Range
Ages 16+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
The Solo Travel Collection
From
US$4,990per person
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Northern Lights
Northern Lights of Scandinavia - Small Group (Small Groups)
5.0 (4 reviews)
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Ivalo, Honningsvag, Alta, Tromso, Oslo
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Norwegian FjordsArctic / North PoleNorthern Norway+2 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Insight Vacations
10% Off
From $6,325
US$5,693per person
+$706 upfront costs
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Northern Lights
Santa Claus Express Helsinki to Lapland - 7 days
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ranua
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Operated in
English
Operator
On The Go Tours
15% Off
From $4,080
US$3,468per person
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City & Culture
Finnish Lapland Discovery
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi
Age Range
Ages 12+
Operated in
English
Operator
G Adventures
30% Off
From $2,799
US$1,959per person
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City & Culture
Top of Scandinavia with Arctic Circle
Duration
10 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Oulu, Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Karasjok, Honningsvag,Alta,Tromso+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North Pole
Operated in
English
Operator
Globus
30% Off
From
US$3,671per person
+$228 upfront costs
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Northern Lights
The Northern Lights of Finland (2027)
5.0 (2 reviews)
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Kakslauttanen
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Collette
30% Off
From
US$5,899per person
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Polar
Svalbard in Spring: Sea Ice, Pristine Snow and Wildlife (12 Days), Operated by Quark
Duration
12 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Longyearbyen, Hornsund, Bellsund,Nordre Isfjorden National Park,Krossfjorden,Smeerenburgfjorden+3 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Regions
Arctic / North PoleSvalbard+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Exodus Adventure Travels
13% Off
From $12,890
US$11,180per person
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Northern Lights
In Search of the Northern Lights 18 Days
Duration
18 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Saariselka, Inari, Kirkenes, Bergen,Flam,Oslo+2 more
Age Range
Ages 16+
Operated in
English
Operator
ASI Reisen
13% Off
From
US$7,246per person
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Northern Lights
Helsinki to Kirkenes - Beyond the Arctic Circle
4.5 (2 reviews)
"The itinerary for the tour was great and utilized the 10 days for maximum activity experience."
Jessica, traveled in March
Duration
8 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Inari, Kirkenes
Age Range
Ages 12+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Carisa Travel Group
13% Off
From
US$4,959per person
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Northern Lights
Scandinavian Northern Lights
5.0 (4 reviews)
"Excellent very well organised. Would really recommend this trip to all my friends and family."
VENKATA, traveled in January
Duration
9 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Saariselka, Inari, Ivalo, Rovaniemi, Lulea, Kiruna,Jukkasjärvi,Stockholm+2 more
Age Range
All Ages Welcome
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Trafalgar
12% Off
From $3,729
US$3,282per person
+$766 upfront costs
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Nature & Wildlife
Finnish Lapland in Winter (5 destinations)
4.8 (12 reviews)
"Always had good experiences with Intrepid."
Henk, traveled in January
Duration
6 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Ylläsjärvi,Pallas - Yllastunturin kansallispuisto+1 more
Age Range
Ages 15+
Country Region
Arctic / North PoleLapland+1 more
Operated in
English
Operator
Intrepid Travel
12% Off
From
US$4,395per person
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River Cruise
Northern Lights and Lapland with Magnificent Europe Helsinki → Budapest (2026)
Duration
22 days
Destinations
Finland Netherlands Germany Austria Slovakia Hungary
Age Range
Ages 8+
River
Danube Rhine Main
Operated in
English
Operator
APT
17% Off
From $16,877
US$14,052per person
+$1,201 upfront costs
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Polar
Exclusive Finland 7 Days
Duration
7 days
Destinations
Helsinki, Rovaniemi, Vaattunki, Båtskärsnäs
Age Range
Ages 16+
Country Region
Lapland
Operated in
English
Operator
ASI Reisen
17% Off
From
US$2,876per person
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