For guests travelling within Europe, Finnish Lapland is a short hop and no visa is needed. The 9-day Icebreaker Cruise & Glass Igloo tour gathers the icebreaker ship, a glass igloo, three aurora hunts, snowmobiling, a reindeer & husky safari and Santa Claus Village into one all-inclusive trip from Helsinki.
Getting to Helsinki from Europe
The tour starts and ends in Helsinki (HEL), which is well connected across Europe with short, frequent flights. You only book your flights to Helsinki — the Tallinn ferry, the overnight Santa Claus Express train and all Lapland transfers are included.
| From | Approx. flight time to Helsinki |
|---|---|
| London / Amsterdam / Paris | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Berlin / Frankfurt / Munich | 2–2.5 hrs |
| Stockholm / Copenhagen / Oslo | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Madrid / Rome / Vienna | 3.5–4 hrs |
Best Months
Aurora season runs late November to late March:
- December — festive snow, Christmas markets and Santa Claus Village.
- January–March — the clearest, coldest, darkest skies and the strongest sea ice, best for both the aurora and the icebreaker cruise.
What's Included in the 9 Days
- Arrive Helsinki.
- Ferry day trip to Tallinn, Estonia.
- Helsinki city tour, overnight train to Lapland.
- Arrive Lapland; first snowmobile aurora hunt.
- Icebreaker cruise & ice floating; second aurora hunt.
- Reindeer & husky farm safari; third aurora hunt.
- Oulanka National Park, then your glass igloo night.
- Santa Claus Village at the Arctic Circle; overnight train back.
- Arrive Helsinki, fly home.
Costs in Euros
The land package is €2,550 per adult, all-inclusive of hotels, the glass igloo, the icebreaker cruise, all safaris, the trains and breakfasts. On top, budget for:
| Item | Approx. EUR |
|---|---|
| Return flights within Europe ↔ Helsinki | €120–400 |
| Travel insurance (winter activities) | €40–90 |
| Lunches, dinners & extras | €40–70 / day |
Handy for European travellers
- Finland uses the euro, so no currency exchange for eurozone guests.
- EHIC/GHIC covers emergency care for many European visitors, but take winter-activity travel insurance as well.
- Short flights mean you can add the trip to a weekend or a week off without long-haul jet lag.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do European citizens need a visa for Finland?
EU/EEA and Schengen citizens need no visa and can travel with a national ID card. Non-Schengen Europeans (such as UK travellers) enter visa-free for up to 90 days; ETIAS authorization will be required once it launches.
How short are flights to Helsinki from Europe?
Very short: about 1–1.5 hours from the Nordics, 2–3 hours from Western Europe, and 3.5–4 hours from Southern Europe. The tour handles all onward travel from Helsinki.
What does the €2,550 include?
Hotels in Helsinki and Ruka-Kuusamo, one night in a glass igloo, the icebreaker cruise with ice floating, all safaris and tours listed, the return Santa Claus Express train, the Tallinn ferry and daily breakfasts. Flights, lunches/dinners and insurance are extra.
Which month is best for the icebreaker cruise?
January to March, when the sea ice is thickest — this also coincides with the darkest, clearest aurora skies. December is best if you want snow plus Christmas atmosphere.
9 Days · 8 Nights — Icebreaker Cruise & Glass Igloo
An Arctic icebreaker cruise with ice floating, a glass igloo night, three aurora hunts, snowmobiling, a reindeer & husky safari, a Tallinn ferry day and Santa Claus Village — all-inclusive from €2,550.
View the Full Tour & Departures Chat on WhatsApp