Travelling from the UK to Lapland can be an adventure but if you don’t plan it can be stressful. In this guide, I have outlined two detailed travel plans for both summer and winter which I have personally taken, optimised for cost-effectiveness, convenience, and unforgettable experiences.
Summer Road Trip to Lapland From UK
Planning a summer road trip to Lapland is perfect for independent travellers who love nature and camping. Here’s a complete breakdown of a 5-day trip from Cheltenham to Levi, Finland, through France, Belgium the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, and Sweden I took with my 8 year old son.
- Cost: £850
- Pace: Medium
- Distance: 2,186 Miles
- Month: July
- Nights: 4
- Vehicle: Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2023 + Trailer
Itinerary Overview
- Starting Point: Cheltenham, UK
- Route: Cheltenham → Vessem, Netherlands → Sydals, Denmark → Øresund, Sweden → Mjölby, Sweden → Levi, Finland.
- Travel Duration: 5 days.
- Start Date: Friday, 19th July.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Cheltenham to Vessem, Netherlands
- Start Time: 8 AM from Cheltenham.
- Route: Cheltenham → Dover → Calais → Vessem.
- Highlights: Cross the English Channel via ferry. We booked our car/trailer via DFDS Car Ferries: https://www.dfds.com/en/passenger-ferries/ferry-crossings/ferries-to-france/dover-calais
- Driving Distance: ~470 miles (~9 hours including ferry).
- Cost: Ferry (£90), fuel (£120), campsite in Vessem (£20).
- Arrival Time: 5 PM at a Vessem campsite.
Day 2: Vessem to Sydals, Denmark
- Route: Vessem → Hamburg → Sydals, Denmark.
- Driving Distance: ~450 miles (~8 hours).
- Cost: Fuel (£120), campsite in Sydals (£25).
- Overnight Stay: Sydals campsite.
Day 3: Sydals to Øresund, Sweden
- Route: Sydals → Copenhagen → Øresund Bridge → a Swedish campsite.
- Driving Distance: ~350 miles (~7 hours).
- Highlights: Cross the Øresund Bridge. https://www.oresundsbron.com/en/prices
- Cost: Fuel (£90), Øresund toll (£50), campsite (£20).
Day 4: Øresund to Mjölby, Sweden
- Route: Øresund → Helsingborg → Mjölby.
- Driving Distance: ~350 miles (~6 hours).
- Cost: Fuel (£90), campsite (£25).
- Overnight Stay: Mjölby campsite.
Day 5: Mjölby to Levi, Finland
- Route: Mjölby → Stockholm → Umeå → Tornio → Levi.
- Driving Distance: ~1,100 miles (~18 hours)
- Cost: Fuel (£180).
- Highlights: Scenic drive through Sweden’s picturesque countryside and into Finland’s snowy landscapes.
- Arrival Time: 9 PM in Levi.
This is the view of the vast majority of the trip:
Winter Road Trip to Lapland (Cost: Variable)
A winter road trip to Lapland with shared driving, cosy ferry cabins, and an efficient option using Finland’s VR Car Train. Here’s a breakdown of the December journey from Cheltenham to Levi, with a fine dining experience en route I took with a mate.
- Cost: £850
- Pace: Fast
- Distance: 2,137 Miles
- Month: December
- Nights: 2
- Vehicle: Ford Ranger Wildtrak 2023
Itinerary Overview
- Starting Point: Cheltenham, UK
- Route: Cheltenham → Stansted → Antwerp → Denmark → Stockholm → Turku → Levi.
- Travel Duration: 3 days.
- Start Date: Thursday, 7th December.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Cheltenham to Antwerp
- Start Time: 6 AM from Cheltenham.
- Pick-Up: Co-driver at Stansted Airport (~2 hours from Cheltenham).
- Route: Stansted → Dover → Calais → Antwerp.
- Driving Distance: ~320 miles (~7 hours including ferry).
- Highlights: Fine dining dinner in Antwerp.
- Cost: Ferry (£90), fuel (£80), Dartmouth Bridge toll (£2.50) https://www.gov.uk/pay-dartford-crossing-charge , dinner (free thanks to my co-driver being a top chef for two).
- Overnight Driving: Shared driving through Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.
Day 2: Antwerp to Stockholm Ferry
- Route: Antwerp → Denmark → Øresund Bridge → Stockholm.
- Driving Distance: ~900 miles (~18 hours including ferry and toll crossings).
- Cost: Combined ferry and Øresund Bridge toll (£90 shared), fuel (£250). https://www.scandlines.com/prices/puttgarden-rodby-oresund-bridge/
- Evening: Boarded Viking Line ferry from Stockholm to Turku, Finland (£50 per person with cabin). https://www.sales.vikingline.com/find-trip/timetable/stockholm-turku/
Day 3: Turku to Levi
- Arrival Time: 7 AM at Turku.
- Route: Turku → Levi.
- Driving Distance: ~700 miles (~14 hours).
- Cost: Fuel (£150).
- Arrival Time: 9 PM in Levi.
The VR Car Train for Your Return Journey
During this trip, I discovered the VR Car Train, an excellent option for reducing driving fatigue. The train allows you to load your vehicle and travel overnight from southern Finland to Lapland, significantly cutting down on driving time and stress.
- Cost: ~£200 one-way (car and passengers).
- Duration: ~12-14 hours.
Tips for a Successful Lapland Road Trip
General Travel Tips
- Travel Documents: Ensure your driving licence, insurance, and travel insurance cover international travel.
- Snacks and Supplies: Carry non-perishable food, water, and a thermos for long drives.
- Maps and Navigation: Download maps and travel apps for tolls, fuel stations, and ferries.
Summer Road Trip Tips
- Camping Gear: Bring waterproof tents, sleeping bags, and portable cooking equipment.
- Mosquito Repellent: Essential for the summer months in Lapland.
- Spare Fuel Can: Useful for remote areas with limited fuel stations – North part of Sweden.
Winter Road Trip Tips
- Winter Tyres: Legally required in Nordic countries during winter.
- Clothing: Invest in thermal layers, waterproof boots, and insulated jackets.
- Emergency Kit: Include a snow shovel, ice scraper, and first aid kit.
Why Lapland Is Worth the Journey
Whether you opt for the scenic summer road trip with camping or the efficient winter route with shared driving and ferries, the journey to Lapland is as much a part of the adventure as the destination itself.
This guide is designed to help you plan your journey efficiently while keeping costs in check. For more travel tips and Lapland destination guides, bookmark this page and start planning your next adventure.