If you are coming from the UK or Ireland for Christmas 2026, the biggest advantages of a Rovaniemi apartment are space, an in-flat kitchen and a late-arrival check-in that does not depend on a reception desk. Finland is two hours ahead of the UK and Ireland, so there is only a mild jet lag, but the flight connections, the cold and the Christmas closures can catch families by surprise.

This guide is written from the host side. It will help you decide when to arrive, what to book first, and how to keep a group of up to nine comfortable. We do not quote prices because they change daily; look up your dates on Airbnb or Booking.com.

When to arrive for a UK Christmas trip

UK and Irish school holidays commonly start around the weekend before Christmas, which makes Saturday 19 December a popular start. Christmas Eve is Thursday 24 December. If you want to spend Christmas Day in the apartment, arriving a few days before is a calmer way to start: you get over the journey, buy food while shops have normal hours, and learn the neighbourhood. Our Christmas booking guide explains the decisions.

If you can only travel on Christmas Eve itself, read the Christmas Eve food and shops guide first, and book your first-night food before you leave home or shop on arrival day morning. Shops close early on 24 December.

Flights and the first evening

Check which airports have flights to Rovaniemi in December and compare routes via Helsinki. We cannot list the timetables, because they change. What we can say is what happens after you land: a taxi to Korkalovaara takes about 15 minutes and costs roughly €35–45, and check-in is from 16:00 using a code lockbox, also late at night. The code and a photo guide arrive three days before your stay. Our post on self check-in and late arrival explains the process.

If your group is large, two taxis or a minibus may be needed; read airport transfer for a group of nine.

What UK families tend to ask about

Plugs and chargers

Finnish sockets use the two-round-pin European plug, not the UK three-pin. Bring adapters for every device. Our plug adapter guide has details.

Kettle, tea and breakfast

The kitchen has a kettle and a coffee machine, so tea is easy; bring your preferred tea bags if you are fussy. Finnish shops sell milk and bread, but familiar British brands may be hard to find. See Finnish supermarkets for self-catering.

Christmas dinner

Many families cook on Christmas Day. The kitchen has an oven and a dishwasher and the dining table seats six. For a large group, plan the order of dishes; our post on cooking for nine with one oven has timing ideas. We cannot promise ingredients such as specific turkey sizes in local shops, so order in advance if you need to.

Money

Cards are accepted almost everywhere. See paying in Rovaniemi.

Keeping children comfortable

Cold and darkness are the main differences from a British winter. The apartment has wardrobes in every room, a washer and tumble dryer for wet outdoor clothes, and a hallway for boots. A baby cot is free on request, and we provide colouring books. Linen and towels are included for everyone. For ideas on rest days and evenings, see evenings in a holiday apartment with kids.

Sleeping arrangements

Nine Pines sleeps up to nine with a 160 cm double bed in one bedroom, two 90 cm singles in each of the other two bedrooms, a sofa bed sized for two children and an armchair bed in the living room. Grandparents often take the double room, parents the singles, and children the sofa bed. See inside Nine Pines room by room.

Parking and winter driving

If you hire a car, there is one free parking space in the yard next to the entrance, with room for a car with a roof box. An ice scraper and snow brush are provided. Read winter parking in Rovaniemi before driving in snow for the first time.

Christmas checklist for UK and Irish families

1. Book the apartment with the full guest count and a cancellable rate.
2. Book flights and a transfer.
3. Pack European adapters and warm layers.
4. Plan food for 24 to 26 December.
5. Fill in the traveller form when we send it.

For more about the building, hosts and quiet hours, see the guest guide.

Why late arrival is easy with a lockbox

Many UK flights into Finland land in the evening, and a late arrival can turn into a stressful hunt for a reception desk. With a code lockbox, you can walk straight in at any time from 16:00. The code and a photo guide come three days before arrival, so you can see what the entrance and stairs look like before you travel. The apartment is on the second floor and the building has no lift, so keep luggage manageable; soft bags are easier on stairs.

If anything goes wrong on the day, such as a delayed flight, tell us on WhatsApp. We live a few minutes away and usually answer within the hour, so you are not dealing with a call centre. Our post about delayed or cancelled flights explains what to do.

A note on timing your first day

If you land in the morning, you will have hours before check-in at 16:00. Drop bags if you can arrange it, find lunch in the centre, and aim to reach the apartment in the late afternoon, when the light is already fading. Do a food shop on the way so that the first evening is easy. For a group with young children, a calm first night is worth more than an ambitious schedule; the northern lights and the snow will still be there tomorrow.

FAQ: Christmas in a Rovaniemi apartment from the UK or Ireland

Is there much time difference?

Finland is two hours ahead of the UK and Ireland, so jet lag is minimal.

Can we have a traditional Christmas dinner?

Yes, if you plan ahead and check the oven size against your menu. Ingredients may differ from the UK.

Are shops open on Christmas Day?

Most are closed on Christmas Day and have short hours on Christmas Eve.

Is the apartment suitable for a baby?

Yes, a cot is free on request. See staying with a baby.