Reindeer Sleigh Rides in Lapland: What to Expect & Best Tours

There are faster ways to travel through Lapland, and slow is what a reindeer sleigh ride offers. You sit low in a wooden sled, wrapped in blankets or reindeer hides, while the animal ahead walks steadily through snow-covered forest. There is no engine noise, no barking husky team and very little for you to do except watch the trees go past.

Before you book, know that a “reindeer sleigh ride” can mean anything from a 10-minute, 500-metre loop to a 40–60 minute forest safari. Listings in October 2026 run from a 500-metre park ride from €35 (Visit Finland) to 2–2.5 km farm rides from €179 on GetYourGuide. Check the stated distance or time in the sleigh before booking, because the photograph won’t tell you.

Quick take: If the ride is the reason you are booking, look for at least 1 km, or about 30–45 minutes in the sleigh. A 400–500 metre ride is pleasant as part of a farm visit but too short to feel like a reindeer safari. For the farm, the herders and Sámi culture, see our guide to reindeer farm visits in Lapland.

Reindeer sleigh rides in Lapland at a glance

What a reindeer sleigh ride is like

The first surprise is the speed. A reindeer sleigh ride is not Lapland’s roller coaster. The animal walks or trots gently along a prepared snow track while one or more sleds follow behind. Apukka describes its early-winter rides as moving at “a leisurely walking pace”, with the guide walking alongside the reindeer (Visit Rovaniemi).

That makes it very different from husky sledding. You notice things: snow hanging from spruce branches, the sound of the runners, the reindeer’s breath, the occasional jingle of a harness. It can feel wonderfully old-fashioned.

What happens on a typical reindeer sleigh tour

A standard winter tour from Rovaniemi usually runs like this:

1. Pickup from your hotel or a central meeting point.
2. Drive to a reindeer farm outside town.
3. Meet the herders and the reindeer.
4. Hear a little about reindeer husbandry.
5. Sit in a sled, usually with one other passenger.
6. Ride through forest or farm trails.
7. Feed or photograph the reindeer.
8. Warm up in a kota or cabin with hot berry juice, tea or coffee.
9. Transfer back.

Some tours add:

• lunch;
• lasso throwing;
• professional photographs;
• a “reindeer driving licence” souvenir;
• Northern Lights watching;
• Santa Claus;
• huskies;
• snowmobiling.

Lapland Welcome’s two-hour Rovaniemi farm visit, for example, includes transfers, winter clothing, a short sleigh ride, feeding, lasso throwing and refreshments from €69 (Visit Finland).

How long is a reindeer sleigh ride?

This is the most useful question to ask before paying.

Very short ride: 400–500 metres

Expect roughly 5–15 minutes in the sled. This works if you just want to try it, or you are combining it with Santa Claus Village or a farm visit. Lapland Winter Park’s 500-metre ride lasts about 10 minutes and starts at €35, with park entry on top (Visit Finland). On GetYourGuide, the Rovaniemi: Reindeer Experience with Sleigh Ride pairs a 500-metre ride with a farm visit, transfers and winter clothing from €87 (4.2/5 from 1,585 reviews), and the Wonderlapland farm visit has a 400-metre ride from €150 (4.7/5 from 416 reviews).

Best for:

• toddlers;
• nervous children;
• tight itineraries;
• travellers mainly interested in seeing reindeer;
• people already booking several Lapland activities.

Not ideal for anyone imagining a long journey through silent Arctic forest.

Medium ride: around 1 km

This is where the ride starts to feel substantial. A kilometre still isn’t long, but you have time to settle into the rhythm before the sled turns back. Sammun Tupa near Levi runs a 1 km ride with feeding, a farm museum and refreshments from €79 (Visit Finland). On GetYourGuide, the Levi: Reindeer Sleigh Ride Tour in Snowy Forest covers about 1 km in an hour from €141 (4.4/5 from 224 reviews). For many families this is the right length.

Longer ride: 2 km or 30–60 minutes

If reindeer sledding is one of the main reasons you came to Lapland, choose this. Examples around Rovaniemi:

• 2–2.5 km, about 40 minutes, on the Rovaniemi: 2km Reindeer Sled Ride Through the Forest, a three-hour tour with thermal overalls and boots, from €179 (4.8/5 from 275 reviews);
• 2 km with a photographer on Beyond Arctic’s three-hour farm visit, from €140 on Visit Finland (Visit Finland) or from €185 as the Rovaniemi: Local Reindeer Farm Visit with Sleigh Ride on GetYourGuide (4.7/5 from 345 reviews);
• 2.5 km with a family of Sámi heritage on the Rovaniemi: Reindeer Safari & Sled Ride with Sámi Heritage, from €199 for a group of at most eight (4.5/5 from 105 reviews);
• about 35 minutes through snowy forest on Porovaara’s three-hour trip with transfers, from €100 (Visit Finland);
• 30–60 minutes of sledding on Lapland Welcome’s three-hour farm visit with transfers and winter clothing, from €99 (Visit Finland).

This is much closer to what most people mean by a reindeer safari.

The best ride length

For most first-time visitors, 1–2 km or 30–45 minutes is ideal: long enough to feel immersive, short enough that you don’t get uncomfortably cold. You sit almost completely still, and at -15°C forty minutes in a sled feels much colder than forty minutes of walking.

Reindeer sleigh ride vs reindeer farm visit

The terms overlap, but they are different bookings.

For most visitors, the best choice combines the two: a working farm, feeding, a conversation with the herder, a ride of about 1 km or more and a hot drink. You get the atmosphere and an understanding of the animals pulling you. Our reindeer farm visit guide covers the farm side, including where to find Sámi-hosted visits.

Best reindeer sleigh rides around Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi has the widest choice, from ten-minute loops to forest safaris of close to an hour.

For a quick taste: the 500-metre ride

Lapland Winter Park’s 500-metre ride of about 10 minutes, followed by time with the reindeer, suits all ages and runs from December to March, weather permitting. It starts at €35, and you also need park entry (Visit Finland). It is sold through the operator, not GetYourGuide.

Choose it if you already have a packed Santa Claus Village day, young children may not manage a long ride outdoors, or you are unsure whether sledding will appeal. Skip it if you picture half an hour gliding deep into the forest.

For a proper ride: 30–60 minutes

Lapland Welcome’s three-hour farm tour includes 30 minutes to an hour of sledding, transfers, winter clothing and refreshments, from €99 (Visit Finland). On GetYourGuide, the closest match is the €179 2–2.5 km forest ride, our pick if this is your only reindeer activity: about 40 minutes in the sleigh, time to feed the reindeer, hot drinks by an open fire and thermal clothing, with pickup from Santa Claus Holiday Village hotels.

For scenery: the 35-minute forest ride

Porovaara’s three-hour Rovaniemi excursion has a 35-minute ride through snowy forest, then feeding and campfire snacks, with transfers included, from €100 (Visit Finland). It suits you if the landscape matters as much as the animals.

For a longer distance: the 2 km farm safari

Beyond Arctic’s small-group trip combines a 2 km ride with a working farm, feeding, hot drinks and edited photographs, in about three hours. It is listed from €140 on Visit Finland (Visit Finland) and from €185 on GetYourGuide as the 2 km farm visit with a photographer, with hotel pickup, warm clothing and boots. The stated distance makes it easy to compare with vaguer “magical sleigh adventure” listings.

Best reindeer sleigh rides in Levi

Levi has fewer choices than Rovaniemi, but you don’t need to travel south for a good ride.

Sammun Tupa’s two-hour programme combines:

• reindeer feeding;
• a 1 km sleigh ride;
• a traditional family farm;
• a home museum;
• stories about reindeer herding;
• a hot drink and home-made pastry.

It is listed from €79 through Polar Star Travel (Visit Finland). Look for a farm that does more than supply an animal and a sled.

On GetYourGuide, Polar Star Travel also sells the Levi: Lappish Reindeer Sled Ride 3 km & Farm Visit from €175 (4.3/5 from 48 reviews), the longest ride we found in Levi. For a shorter outing with a Sámi herder, the Sami Spirit 800-metre ride costs from €89 (4.7/5 from 38 reviews).

Reindeer sleigh rides under the Northern Lights

It sounds like the ultimate Lapland experience, and sometimes it is. But the Northern Lights are never guaranteed.

Evening reindeer trips around Rovaniemi usually combine a 20–45 minute ride with time at a farm or campfire away from city lights. Taava Reindeer Farm’s three-hour evening trip has a 20–30 minute forest ride from €109 and states that sightings can never be guaranteed (Visit Finland). Helios Tour’s evening safari gives you about 45 minutes in the sleigh from €95, and also says it cannot guarantee aurora activity (Visit Finland).

Farther north, where skies are darker, the Saariselkä: Northern Lights & Reindeer Sledding Tour costs from €189 for 2.5 hours with thermal clothing and a campfire drink (4.6/5 from 154 reviews). Flash photography is banned on it because it can startle the reindeer.

Is a Northern Lights reindeer ride worth it?

Yes, if you treat it as a night-time reindeer experience. No, if you are booking it mainly to see the aurora. The sleigh moves slowly along one fixed route, while a dedicated Northern Lights guide in a vehicle can change location to escape cloud.

• Book a reindeer night safari if you want atmosphere first and aurora second.
• Book a dedicated aurora hunt if you want the best practical chance of reacting to the weather. Our Northern Lights tours guide compares them.

If the lights appear while you are in the sled, that’s a spectacular bonus.

Daytime or night-time ride?

Both are good, and they feel completely different.

Daytime

Best for:

• snowy landscape;
• photographs;
• families;
• seeing the animals clearly;
• first-time visitors.

In December, “daytime” may still mean soft blue twilight, not bright sunshine.

Night

Best for:

• atmosphere;
• lantern-lit forest;
• couples;
• stars;
• a chance of the Northern Lights.

Which to choose

For your first reindeer ride, go in daytime: you will see far more of the animal, the farm and the scenery. If you have already visited a farm, a night ride is something different.

Can you drive the reindeer sleigh yourself?

Usually no, unlike many husky safaris. Reindeer are trained for set routes and handled by the farm or guide. Some tours talk about “reindeer driving” and give you a novelty reindeer driving licence, but that doesn’t mean you steer the animal on your own. Lapland Welcome’s one-hour safari includes an introduction to reindeer driving and a souvenir licence (Visit Finland). If driving yourself matters, ask before booking.

What you sit in

Usually a low wooden sleigh for one or two adults, sometimes with room for a child. Depending on the operator, you sit:

• directly behind the reindeer;
• under blankets;
• on reindeer hides or insulated padding;
• in a convoy of several sleds.

Some farms tie sleds one behind another; others use one reindeer per sled. Neither is better.

Is reindeer sledding comfortable?

Mostly, yes, but it is not luxury transport. Expect:

• a low seat;
• occasional bumps;
• snow kicked up from the trail;
• little room to move;
• real cold after 30–45 minutes.

The sled itself is rarely the problem; your feet are. Wear excellent boots and thick socks.

Is reindeer sledding scary?

For most people, not at all. Reindeer sleighs are much slower than husky sleds or snowmobiles, which makes them a good choice for:

• younger children;
• nervous travellers;
• older visitors;
• anyone who doesn’t want an adrenaline activity.

A reindeer can occasionally speed up, but safari animals are trained and the operator controls the route.

Is it good for toddlers?

Often, yes. A short reindeer ride is one of the easiest winter activities with very young children; the main issue is the cold. For toddlers, choose 500 metres to 1 km, a warm cabin and feeding over an hour-long safari at -20°C.

Ask the operator about:

• minimum age;
• infant seating;
• blankets;
• thermal clothing sizes;
• whether a child can sit with a parent;
• what happens in very cold weather.

Our guide to Rovaniemi with kids has more family planning.

Sleigh rides with older children

From about five years old, a longer ride works much better, and the forest journey becomes part of the adventure. If you can, combine it with:

• feeding the reindeer;
• farm stories;
• hot berry juice;
• a driving certificate;
• lasso throwing.

These keep children interested for longer than the sled alone.

What to wear

Treat this as a low-activity outdoor trip: you make almost no body heat sitting in the sleigh.

• thermal base layer;
• fleece or wool mid-layer;
• insulated jacket;
• thermal trousers;
• insulated outer trousers;
• warm winter boots;
• thick wool socks;
• mittens;
• hat;
• neck warmer.

Well below zero, add more insulation than you would for snowshoeing. The full kit list is in our Lapland winter packing guide.

Are thermal overalls included?

Sometimes. Many organised Rovaniemi tours include winter clothing and boots: the 2–2.5 km forest ride, the Beyond Arctic 2 km farm visit and the 500-metre farm tour all list them, and so does Lapland Welcome’s one-hour safari (Visit Finland). Short attraction rides and some farm visits, including the Wonderlapland visit, don’t. Check the included section before booking.

When is reindeer sleigh season?

A traditional sleigh needs snow, so the main season runs from late November or December to March or April, depending on snow and location. Many Rovaniemi listings operate from November or December to March or April, and the 500-metre Winter Park ride runs from December to March (Visit Finland). Northern Lapland usually keeps reliable snow later into spring.

Is November too early?

Not necessarily, but November snow is less certain than January’s or February’s. Some operators run early-winter rides when conditions allow; Apukka runs a 1–2 km ride in November (Visit Rovaniemi). If sledding is essential to your trip, December to March is safer.

Is December the best month?

December has the strongest Christmas atmosphere. It also has:

• the largest crowds;
• some of the highest prices;
• very short daylight;
• heavy booking demand.

The ride itself is no better in December than in January, February or March.

January

January suits you if you want deep winter, heavy snow, fewer Christmas crowds and properly Arctic temperatures. It can be extremely cold.

February

For many travellers February is the best balance: reliable snow, longer days, deep-winter scenery and less Christmas congestion.

March

March is the underrated choice. There is much more daylight, temperatures are often less severe and there is usually plenty of snow, which makes it a good month for photography. More month-by-month detail is in our guide to Lapland in winter.

Reindeer sleigh ride prices

Prices in October 2026 show how wide the range is. Local operator prices come from Visit Finland; GetYourGuide prices include the listing’s rating.

These are starting prices for sample listings, not fixed Lapland-wide rates. Operators change prices by date, season, group size and inclusions, so check your own dates.

Why one reindeer tour costs twice as much as another

You are rarely paying for distance alone. The pricier tour may include:

• hotel pickup;
• a 30–45 minute transfer each way;
• thermal clothing;
• private or small-group guiding;
• a longer ride;
• a farm visit;
• professional photographs;
• a meal;
• evening operation;
• several activities.

Compare what you get as well as the headline price.

Reindeer sleigh ride vs husky sledding

These are Lapland’s two signature animal rides, and they feel almost opposite.

If you can only afford one, choose by temperament: reindeer for peace, tradition, photography and a gentle outing; huskies for speed, excitement and adventure. Our husky vs reindeer comparison goes deeper, and husky tours in Rovaniemi compares the dog sled options.

Reindeer sleigh ride vs snowmobile

There is even less overlap. A snowmobile safari is about speed, driving, covering distance and machinery; a reindeer ride is about stillness, landscape, animals and tradition. For families with mixed ages, the reindeer ride is usually easier.

Should you combine reindeer and huskies?

Yes, if your trip is short. Rovaniemi has several combination tours with both animals, sometimes with lunch or Santa; Visit Rovaniemi lists Raitola’s Arctic Animals Adventure with both sleigh rides (Visit Rovaniemi). On GetYourGuide, the Rovaniemi: Husky & Reindeer Experience with Snowmobile Ride adds a snowmobile ride from €198 (4.6/5 from 1,294 reviews).

The compromise is that each ride is shorter. With four or five days in Lapland, book them separately; with two days, a combination tour makes more sense.

Reindeer sleigh ride at Santa Claus Village

This is convenient, especially for families. You can combine the ride with:

• meeting Santa;
• crossing the Arctic Circle;
• Christmas shopping;
• restaurants;
• other activities.

The Rovaniemi: Reindeer, Huskies & Santa Claus Village day includes a 500-metre reindeer ride, from €188 (4.6/5 from 2,418 reviews). Convenience doesn’t make it the best reindeer ride, though. If the ride is a priority, compare it with the dedicated farm trips above, and see our Santa Claus Village visitor guide for the village itself.

Is a private reindeer tour worth it?

For most travellers, probably not. Private visits get expensive: Beyond Arctic’s private farm visit with a 2 km ride and a photographer starts at €1,050 (Visit Finland); the listing does not say how many guests that covers, so ask. It can make sense for:

• large families;
• proposals;
• professional photography;
• special occasions;
• travellers who want privacy.

Otherwise, a small-group tour is much better value.

Reindeer and the Northern Lights: the trade-off

A reindeer does not chase clear skies, and your route is fixed. An evening sleigh trip can be magical under the stars but badly placed for the aurora if cloud moves in, while dedicated Northern Lights tours by vehicle can drive away from it. Treat a night reindeer safari as a reindeer tour with a possible aurora, and you won’t be disappointed.

Photography during the ride

A reindeer sled is easier to photograph from than a husky sled because it moves slowly. Winter darkness is the challenge.

Daytime

A phone is usually enough. Try:

• wide shots with the animal and the forest;
• looking back at the sleds behind you;
• low angles when stopped;
• details of harnesses and antlers.

Night

Phone photography gets much harder. Don’t expect a handheld phone to produce the vivid green aurora shots on tour pages. Use Night Mode and hold the phone as still as possible; with a camera, a fast lens helps a lot.

Can you take photos while moving?

Usually yes, as long as you don’t lean out of the sled. Keep cameras on a strap. At -20°C bare fingers hurt quickly, so practise working your camera in gloves before you leave the hotel.

Is reindeer sledding ethical?

A harness alone doesn’t tell you about welfare, which depends on how the animals are trained, handled, housed, fed, rested and worked. A good sign is an operator that talks about the reindeer as part of a real herd and explains husbandry. A poor one treats them as Christmas props. Apukka, for example, states that its reindeer activities are certified under Green Activities, a Nordic sustainability label with audited animal-welfare criteria. Don’t pull antlers, interfere with the animals or feed them anything the farm hasn’t given you.

How many people sit in one sleigh?

Usually one or two adults, sometimes with a young child. It depends on the sleigh, passenger weight, trail conditions and farm policy. Guides may seat passengers to balance the load; Apukka says it does this to keep loads even for the reindeer while keeping families together when possible (Visit Rovaniemi). Sitting together isn’t guaranteed.

Can pregnant travellers take a reindeer sleigh ride?

Rides are slow and may seem gentler than snowmobiling or dog sledding, but trails can still be bumpy and operators set their own rules. Ask the operator before booking, and for pregnancy or any medical concern don’t rely on general tour descriptions.

Accessibility

Reindeer rides take little effort, but snow makes access harder. Possible issues:

• deep snow between the vehicle and the sled;
• low sled seats;
• icy surfaces;
• steps into farm buildings;
• few accessible toilets.

Ask whether staff can help you into the sled. “Suitable for all ages” does not mean wheelchair accessible.

What happens if it is too cold?

Lapland activities carry on at temperatures many visitors would call extreme, and cold alone doesn’t cancel a tour. Operators may shorten the ride, add warm-up breaks, change the route or cancel in unsafe conditions. With young children, your own limit may be warmer than the operator’s, and that is reasonable.

What happens if there is not enough snow?

A traditional sled needs snow. Depending on the operator, the tour may be cancelled, postponed, shortened, switched to another activity or run on wheels. Check the cancellation policy, especially for November and early December.

Reindeer rides for vegetarians and vegans

The ride uses a working animal, so if you have ethical concerns about animal tourism you will need to make your own decision. Food matters too: farm refreshments may include dairy, pastries, sausages or reindeer meat. Tell the operator about dietary needs in advance.

What is a reindeer driving licence?

A souvenir certificate some farms hand out after a ride. It is a bit of fun, especially for children, and several Rovaniemi tours include one, among them Lapland Welcome’s one-hour safari (Visit Finland) and the 2.5 km Sámi-heritage ride. It will not let you commute through Helsinki by reindeer.

What to ask before booking

If the listing doesn’t answer these, ask:

• How long is the sleigh ride itself?
• How many kilometres is the route?
• How many people share each sled?
• Is a farm visit included?
• Do we meet a reindeer herder?
• Are transfers included?
• Are thermal suits and boots included?
• What happens if there isn’t enough snow?
• What happens in extreme cold?
• Is there somewhere warm afterwards?
• What is the cancellation policy?

The answers tell you far more than twenty reviews calling the ride “magical”.

Who should book a reindeer sleigh ride?

A very good choice for

• families with younger children;
• couples;
• photographers;
• grandparents travelling with family;
• first-time Lapland visitors;
• travellers who want a quiet activity;
• people interested in reindeer husbandry.

Less suitable for

• travellers who want adrenaline;
• anyone expecting to drive the sleigh alone;
• people who dislike sitting still outdoors in the cold;
• visitors whose only priority is the best chance of the Northern Lights.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a reindeer sleigh ride in Lapland?

From about €35 for a 500-metre park ride (entry extra) and €69–€99 for farm visits through local operators, to €140–€199 for 2–3 km rides. Private visits start at €1,050.

How long does a reindeer sleigh ride last?

From about 10 minutes to an hour in the sleigh. Check the ride time, not the overall tour length.

How far do reindeer sleigh rides go?

Usually from 400–500 metres to 2–3 km.

Are reindeer sleigh rides fast?

No. Most move at a calm walk or gentle trot.

Can children ride?

Yes. Reindeer sledding is one of the most family-friendly winter activities in Lapland.

Can toddlers go?

Often, but age rules vary. Short rides are more practical for very young children.

Can you drive the reindeer yourself?

Usually not on your own. Guides or trained handlers manage the animal.

Can you see the Northern Lights from a reindeer sleigh?

Possibly, on a clear and active night, but sightings are never guaranteed (Visit Finland).

What should I wear?

Dress more warmly than for an active excursion, because you sit still for most of the ride.

Where is best for reindeer sleigh rides?

Rovaniemi has the widest choice. Levi, Saariselkä and Inari have good alternatives, and the north is the place for Sámi-hosted visits.

Which reindeer sleigh ride to book

For most first-time visitors, skip both extremes. You don’t need an expensive private safari, but it would be a shame to come all the way to Lapland, make reindeer sledding a highlight and then book an eight-minute ride.

Book a working farm with about 1–2 km or 30–45 minutes in the sleigh, feeding, time with the herder and a warm drink afterwards. That is long enough for the silence of the forest to become the point of the trip. In Rovaniemi, the 2–2.5 km forest ride from €179 fits that best; the Beyond Arctic 2 km visit is the alternative if you want photographs taken for you.

With toddlers, shorten it to 500 metres to 1 km. For couples, consider a night ride, as long as you treat any Northern Lights as a bonus. And if what you want is speed, book the huskies instead. More options are on our reindeer tours page; check your dates early, because December tours sell out.