FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Is there an age limit? Some TWC trips are planned for travelers in their 20s, 30s, and 40s, but this trip has been specially planned for travelers of all ages 18 and over.

Is it normal to come solo? Absolutely! One of the best things about TWC is that we prioritize community, and our groups get close quickly. There's always someone down to go on an adventure with you.

Do you offer payment plans? Yes! During the sign-up process, you can select to opt into a monthly payment plan interest-free. You will find the package cost under the "Pricing and Dates" section on the trip page. When signing up for Finland, you'll have the option to opt in for an interest-free payment plan. Only a deposit of $399 is due on the day of booking. The remaining balance for the Finland trip can be paid in 9 monthly installments from early May 2026 to early January 2027. However, you'll have access to an account where you can log in anytime, see your payment plan details, make a partial or full payment anytime you want, and more.

Do I need special clothes for this trip? You will want to pack carefully for this trip. In terms of preparation, proper thermal layering is essential. Travelers will want merino wool base layers, an insulating mid-layer, thick wool socks, insulated snow boots, beanies, neck warmers/buffs, waterproof mittens, etc. In terms of outerwear, most travelers will want pants and a jacket that are insulated and and waterproof, such as ski pants and a ski jacket. 

However, for those worried about being too cold during their trip, please know that with all activities (essentially for all of the trip except for the walk to see the rapids on day 2 and the reindeer farm visit on day 6, both of which are less than 2 hours outside with opportunities to get warm during) expedition suits are included, which are one or two piece, full-body insulated thermal suits along with boots, mittens, and a hat. For all of the other outdoor activities included (including optional activities added on), you can take an expedition suit for free. For nights 2-5, you can keep the expedition suit and use it to walk around outside in the cold if waiting for the lights. 

What city do we fly into? Rovaniemi, Finland. There are some international flights that land in Rovaniemi in the north of Finland, and some travelers will transit through the airport in Helsinki, Finland's capital. 

What will the weather be like at this time of year? Early February in Finnish Lapland is deep winter, one of the coldest and most magical times to visit. Temperatures typically range from about -5°C to -20°C (23°F to -4°F), and cold snaps can occasionally push things down to -30°C (-22°F) or lower, with little chance of it rising above freezing. Snow is essentially guaranteed, as the ground has been fully covered since November, and snowfall is common throughout the month. Daylight is limited at this time of year with around 6 to 8 hours per day depending on how far north you are. Rovaniemi gets a little more light than places further north like Saariselkä or Inari. On the flip side, the long dark nights make February an excellent time for aurora hunting, especially on clear, cold nights. We enjoy visiting at this time because of the balance between darkness for northern lights hunting and daylight for fun activities during the day, as some times of year in Lapland only get a couple hours of light a day at the most.

What is Finland like? The far north of Finland exists in a category of its own, one where the darkness isn't absence of light but a canvas for the aurora borealis. The sky spends most of the day in a slow, golden-blue or pink twilight, and by the time night falls, the stage is set. On this journey through Finnish Lapland, you'll trade your daily routine for meeting reindeer on snow-covered trails, trying adventure activities you won't find anywhere else on earth, and ending your days horizontal in a glass-roofed cabin, watching the sky do something extraordinary. From the twinkling lights of Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi to the remote wilds of Saariselkä and Inari, this trip moves deeper and deeper into the Arctic. The further north you go, the better your chances of catching the ripple across the sky in greens, purples, and golds. 

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What will we do on the trip? On this trip, you'll go northern lights searching, visit a traditional Sámi reindeer farm with reindeer feeding, enjoy a Kota (traditional Sámi shelter) experience with snowmobiling/reindeer visit/tubing/reindeer sleigh ride, take a guided hike (1 mile roundtrip with minimal elevation gain) to the Myllykoski rapids viewpoint, try nordic skiing if you'd like to, have a traditional Finnish sauna and spa experience in addition to many chef-prepared three course Lappish meals. Travelers will also have the option to add on skiing at Ruka Ski Resort and in Saariselkä (additional cost), go husky sledding (additional cost), visit the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi (dependent on timing of flights on arrival/departure day), or add on another optional activity, such as ice fishing.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies? TWC is happy to accommodate dietary requests to the best of our ability. It's essential to us that everyone is comfortable! A question during the signup process for each trip asks the traveler to note any dietary requests, allergies, etc. 3 out of 5 of our group leaders are vegetarian or vegan, so we always make sure to have good veggie options for all included meals and on our recommendation lists.

How many people will be in the group? Our groups have a maximum of 16-18 people, and the minimum is typically 10 people. We have found that this group size is the sweet spot to keep the group close enough that everyone can get to know each other but big enough that there's always someone down to adventure with you!

How will you assign roommates to those signing up solo? For assigning roommates, we only assign people a roommate who identifies as the same gender as them. We assign the roommates personally, so we do a bit of friendship match-making and put a lot of thought into it. We also try to match people with others as close in age and interests to them as we can, and I often end up matching people together who become very close friends, which makes me so happy. Ultimately, everyone signing up is interested in travel and adventure, so our groups tend to get quite close and connect over these shared experiences and interests. We can introduce you to your roommate in advance of the trip if requested, and we are also able to make changes during the trip if a pair of roommates aren't compatible for any reason (for example if one is a night owl and one isn't).

Do travelers with American passports need a visa to visit Finland? In short, no. However, U.S. citizens don't need a traditional visa for short tourist trips under 90 days to most of Europe, but starting in late 2026, travelers may need to apply online for the ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System), a form that will require passport information and a 20 Euro (~$23) fee. Once approved, it will be linked to your passport for up to 3 years and grant access to many European countries. This process has been delayed several years, and it has not yet been announced if it will be required by February 2027. Travelers with other passports can reach out to jessica@travelwc.com to discuss if they will need a visa. 

Is this trip only for Americans? No! We've had travelers from many different countries join us, and we wouldn't have it any other way. If you have any questions about whether or not you'll need a visa to visit a specific country, please make a note while signing up.