In the pitch black of a winter's morning, a 4am alarm signals the start of an extraordinary journey. This is the reality of a day trip to Lapland from the UK, an experience travel experts recently put to the test to see if the magic justifies the gruelling schedule and premium price tag.
The Arctic Pilgrimage Begins
Bleary-eyed and caffeine-deprived, the adventure starts long before sunrise. At Gatwick Airport, families armed with distinctive maroon Canterbury Travel backpacks are easy to spot, their children's faces alight with anticipation. For one travelling father, the immediate concern was the potential for a domino effect of tantrums on the return flight. The four-hour chartered flight to Enontekiö Airport, deep inside Finland's Arctic Circle, offers little respite, with festive activities like a cuddly toy race banishing any hopes of a snooze.
The first major shock upon landing isn't Santa, but the cold. An Arctic blast of -21°C greets passengers, a daunting prospect for children accustomed to milder climes. The efficient provision of boots, snowsuits, and helmets is a lifesaver, though rookie mistakes like refusing gloves are quickly corrected during a brisk 20-minute sleigh ride to Santa's village.
A Meeting with the Main Man
The centrepiece of the trip is, of course, a private visit to Santa's house. In a moment of parental panic, one father realised he'd left both children's letters to Father Christmas at the airport. Yet, Santa proved himself a master of crisis management, performing magic tricks, offering his beard for a tug, and calmly assuring the children an elf would collect their letters later. The experience was potent enough to thaw the budding cynicism of an 11-year-old on the cusp of disbelief.
With the Santa visit secured, the family had time to enjoy the array of included activities. These ranged from classic reindeer and husky sleigh rides to the unexpected thrill of children as young as five driving snowmobiles on a frozen track. The sheer joy witnessed made the pre-dawn start feel worthwhile.
The Practicalities: Cost, Food, and The Journey Home
The package, designed for minimal stress, includes all meals. Options are wisely tailored to family clientele: simple, hot pasta Bolognese and crepes. After roughly 14 hours on the go, the dreaded meltdowns were remarkably absent, limited to an over-enthusiastic snowball fight.
The feared screaming 'tube of terror' on the flight home never materialised. Instead, collective exhaustion saw most children under ten fall asleep immediately after take-off, allowing parents a rare moment of peace, perhaps even a quiet glass of wine.
The family returned home shortly after midnight, having unlocked their front door on the same day they left. The verdict? Filled with magic and happy memories, it felt like their own Christmas miracle.
So, Is It Worth It?
Cost: Trips for the 2026 season with Canterbury Travel start from £729 per person. TUI also offers similar packages from around £750 per person, flying from 11 UK airports including Bristol and Cardiff.
Pros: An incredibly magical, all-inclusive experience where everything from snow gear to activities is arranged. The private Santa meeting is a highlight.
Cons: The exhausting schedule begins with a 4am alarm, and the extreme cold can be a challenge.
Final Verdict: For the family that tested it, the answer was a resounding yes, creating four true believers and a cache of unforgettable memories.
