FinlandLaplandLaplandChecked Oct 2026

Manchester to Levi, Lapland

Levi is Finland's biggest ski resort and a good base for husky rides, reindeer farms, Santa visits and the Northern Lights, and you can fly there direct from Manchester. This guide covers the flights to Kittilä, other routes in, the transfer to Levi and what to expect from the cold and the dark.

~3h 30mDirect flight Manchester to Kittilä
15 kmKittilä Airport to Levi
-5 to -15°CTypical December to January range

The short answer

The simplest way is easyJet's direct flight from Manchester to Kittilä, which runs from 19 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027. From Kittilä Airport it's only about 15 km to Levi: the airport bus meets scheduled flights and takes you to the hotels, or a taxi takes 10–15 minutes. If the Manchester dates don't work, fly via Helsinki with Finnair.

Lapland essentials

What to know about Levi's season, the polar night and the cold before you book.

Skiing

Levi has 43 slopes and 27 lifts, including Finland's only two gondolas. A few slopes open on stored snow from October, and the rest open as the cold sets in. Many slopes are floodlit, so you can ski through the dark afternoons.

Polar night

Around the shortest day the sun doesn't rise above the horizon at Levi for about three weeks, roughly mid-December to early January. It isn't pitch black: you get a few hours of blue twilight around midday, and the snow reflects what light there is.

Northern Lights

The aurora season runs from late August to April. You need a clear, dark sky, so get away from the resort lights. Guided aurora trips by snowmobile, sleigh or minibus are easy to book in Levi.

Temperatures and what to wear

Typical December temperatures range from about -5°C to -11°C, and January from about -7°C to -14°C, but cold snaps can go much lower. Wear a thermal base layer, a fleece or wool mid layer and a windproof outer layer, plus snow boots, a hat that covers the ears, a neck warmer and mittens. Most safari companies lend thermal overalls and boots for their trips.

Santa and safaris

Husky, reindeer and snowmobile safaris run from Levi all winter, and December slots fill up fast, so book before you go. Several companies run Santa visits near Levi. One evening programme with Santa, a story and a gift for each child starts at about €145 per person.

Every way to get there

From Manchester to Levi, best options first. Times are typical door to door; check live schedules for your dates.

1

Fly direct from Manchester to Kittilä

Best for most
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost££
Best forPre-Christmas trips and New Year
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Kittilä (KTT)About 3h 30m. easyJet flies from 19 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027, usually two or three times a week. Fares on the cheapest dates are usually under £150 return. Flights just before Christmas typically cost £400 or more. Check current schedules.
  2. Kittilä Airport to LeviAbout 15 km. Tunturilinjat's airport bus meets scheduled flights and stops at Levi hotels. It usually costs about €10–€15 one way. A taxi takes 10–15 minutes.
Compare MAN–KTT flightsTransfer options: Kittilä Airport → Levi

Manchester flights stop on 3 Jan. For later trips, easyJet flies from London Gatwick and Luton until late February.

2

Book a Lapland package from Manchester

Families
Door to door5–6h
£ Cost£££
Best forFamilies who want everything arranged
  1. Charter flight from Manchester to KittiläTUI flies from Manchester to Kittilä in winter for its Lapland holidays and one-day Santa trips. The flights come as part of the package. TUI's day trips start at about £750 per person and include a Santa visit, snow activities and warm outer clothing.
  2. Coach transfer to your hotelTransfers in Lapland are included in the package.
Compare MAN–KTT flights

Packages usually include thermal suits and boots, which saves buying kit for the whole family.

3

Fly via Helsinki with Finnair

Door to door8–10h
£ Cost£££
Best forFlexible dates, January to March trips
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Helsinki (HEL)About 2h 40m. Finnair flies daily.
  2. Helsinki (HEL) to Kittilä (KTT)About 1h 30m. Finnair usually has one or two flights a day in winter. Check current schedules.
  3. Kittilä Airport to LeviTake the airport bus or a taxi, about 15 minutes.
Compare MAN–HEL flightsCompare HEL–KTT flights

Book both flights on one ticket so your bags are checked through to Kittilä.

4

Fly to Rovaniemi, then the bus to Levi

Door to door8–9h
£ Cost££
Best forCombining Santa Claus Village with Levi
  1. Manchester (MAN) to Rovaniemi (RVN)About 3h. easyJet flies before Christmas, and Ryanair flies on Mondays and Saturdays from late October to late March. Check current schedules.
  2. Rovaniemi to Levi by busLevi is about 170 km north of Rovaniemi. Matkahuolto runs regular buses, and the trip usually takes around 3 hours. Check times on matkahuolto.fi.
Compare MAN–RVN flightsTransfer options: Rovaniemi → Levi

Spend a night or two in Rovaniemi first to see Santa Claus Village, then move on to Levi for the snow.

Where to stay in Levi

Compare hotels and apartments, many with free cancellation. Book early for December weekends.

See hotels in Levi

All options compared

Typical times and relative costs. £ is cheapest, £££ is priciest.

OptionDoor to doorCostBest for
Fly direct from Manchester to Kittilä5–6h££Pre-Christmas trips and New Year
Book a Lapland package from Manchester5–6h£££Families who want everything arranged
Fly via Helsinki with Finnair8–10h£££Flexible dates, January to March trips
Fly to Rovaniemi, then the bus to Levi8–9h££Combining Santa Claus Village with Levi

Where to stay and what to add

Levi village is compact, so stay central and add a day trip or two.

Your base

Levi village

Hotels and apartments in the centre are within walking distance of the gondolas, restaurants and safari pick-up points. The airport bus stops at most hotels.

Hotels in Levi
Sleep under the sky

Glass igloos

Golden Crown Levin Iglut has glass-roofed igloos on the fell, so you can watch for the aurora from bed. December is expensive and books up early.

Hotels in Levi
West of Levi

Ylläs and SnowVillage

Ylläs is a quieter ski area to the west with long, gentle runs. Lapland Hotels SnowVillage at Lainio, between Levi and Ylläs, is a snow and ice building with an ice bar and themed rooms. It is open from 25 Dec 2026 to 4 Apr 2027, and buses run there from Levi.

Hotels in Ylläs
About 170 km south

Rovaniemi

This is the home of Santa Claus Village and the Arctic Circle line. It's a long day trip by road, so many people stay a night or two there instead.

Hotels in Rovaniemi

Local tip: Plan outdoor activities for the lighter hours around midday, and keep the evenings free for aurora watching.

Frequently asked questions

Quick answers to what people ask most about this trip.

Can you fly direct from Manchester to Levi?

Yes. Levi's airport is Kittilä (KTT), about 15 km away. easyJet flies direct from Manchester from 19 Nov 2026 to 3 Jan 2027, and the flight takes about 3h 30m. TUI also flies from Manchester for its Lapland packages.

Which other UK airports fly to Kittilä?

For winter 2026/27, easyJet also flies to Kittilä from London Gatwick, London Luton and Liverpool. Gatwick and Luton flights run until late February. Many other UK airports have TUI Lapland packages and day trips. Check current schedules.

How do I get from Kittilä Airport to Levi?

Tunturilinjat's airport bus meets scheduled flights and drops off at Levi hotels, and it usually costs about €10–€15. A taxi takes 10–15 minutes. Outside the main season, book the bus in advance.

Can you see the Northern Lights in Levi?

Yes. The season runs from late August to April. Levi is about 170 km north of the Arctic Circle, so the aurora is common there, but you need clear skies and some luck. A guided trip away from the resort lights gives you the best chance.

Is it dark all day in Levi in December?

Not completely. The sun doesn't rise for about three weeks around the shortest day, but you still get a few hours of twilight around midday. Many ski slopes are floodlit.

How cold is Levi in winter?

Typical December temperatures range from about -5°C to -11°C, and January from about -7°C to -14°C. Colder snaps below -25°C do happen. The air is dry, so layered clothing keeps you comfortable.

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Times and prices are typical estimates, checked Oct 2026. Always confirm with the operator before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.