What's included in a Northern Lights holiday?
Checked October 2026
Check flights, transfers, meals, warm clothing and activities. Some sellers include them all. Others sell the stay without flights. A few charge extra for insurance, drinks and a room to yourself. Ask what each night costs, which excursions are included and what the seller leaves out.
What is included in a Northern Lights holiday?
It depends on who sells it. Read the list before you read the price. Arctic Direct's three-night Inari example shows what one trip includes. It lists return flights and transfers. It lists two nights in a wilderness room and one in a glass-roof cabin. It adds full board, thermal clothing and five timed activities.
Another seller may leave several of those items out. Put the two quotes side by side and tick off each item. A lower figure may have fewer things inside it.
Are flights and transfers included?
It depends on the seller. The Aurora Zone lists flights under each trip's "What's included?". A supplement can apply. It says a land-only version can be requested. A land-only trip leaves you to arrange the flights.
Arctic Direct says its prices include flights, transfers, accommodation and activities, "unlike our competitors". That is its own claim about its own prices. Best Served's cards say "incl. flights" per trip. So inclusion differs by seller, and you can't assume it.
Ask our travel team. Ask for each item by name: flights, transfers, meals, clothing, activities.
Is thermal clothing included?
It depends on the seller, so check the detail. The Aurora Zone says most of its holidays provide thermal overalls, gloves, boots and socks. Arctic Direct's example lists thermal clothing as part of the trip. Ask whether it is yours for the whole stay or only during an activity. Ask too what you still need to bring yourself.
What is usually extra?
Four things come up often. Check each one.
- Insurance. The Aurora Zone says travel insurance is not included. You arrange it yourself. Our activities page explains why the cover must match your plans.
- A room to yourself. The Aurora Zone says single supplements apply, sometimes to activities as well.
- Flight supplements. The Aurora Zone says a supplement can be added if flight prices rise.
- Activities booked after you arrive. The Aurora Zone says these are paid for locally and fall outside the operator's responsibility.
Add drinks to that list. On its FAQ page, read on 15 October 2026, The Aurora Zone says a glass of wine in Finland costs £6 to £8. Those are the operator's estimates, so treat them as a guide.
Why is one price half of another?
Because they may not be selling the same thing. One quote may include flights, transfers and activities. Another may be land-only. The Aurora Zone offers a land-only version on request. So the same stay can come with two different prices.
So compare what's inside, not the headline figures. Start with the list above. Our cost guide shows how to compare quotes without ranking sellers.
Our travel team quotes your actual trip.
Your checklist before you compare quotes:
- Return flights
- Airport transfers
- Meals, and which ones
- Thermal clothing, and for how long
- Timed activities, and how many
- Insurance
- A room to yourself
- The date the balance is due
Tick each line for each quote. The gaps are where the price differs.
A last check: ask our travel team to confirm, in writing, what is included on your dates. Details can change between seasons. A list from last winter is not enough.
Sources, all read on 15 October 2026: Arctic Direct, three-night aurora break at Inari · Arctic Direct, glass igloo holidays · The Aurora Zone, frequently asked questions · Best Served, Northern Lights holidays. Each operator speaks for itself.