Seeing the Northern Lights is on almost every traveller’s bucket list. But let’s be honest — living that dream shouldn’t burn a hole in your pocket. When it comes to witnessing the magical Aurora Borealis, two destinations stand at the top: Russian Lapland (Murmansk) and Finnish Lapland. Both offer snowy landscapes, dreamy lights, Arctic adventures and stunning stays — but one of them delivers the same experience at nearly half the cost.
Welcome to the ultimate showdown for Indian travellers: Murmansk vs Finland.
1. Aurora Hunting: Same Magic, Half the Price
The main reason to travel north — the auroras.
| Experience | Murmansk, Russia | Finland |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Lights Tour | INR 7,000 | INR 13,000 |
Murmansk lies directly in the Aurora Oval, making it one of the best places to catch the lights — without paying Scandinavian prices.
2. Glass Igloos: Luxury Without the Heartbreak
Sleeping under the Northern Lights sounds like a dream… until you see the price. Unless you’re in Russia.
| Glass Igloo Stay | INR 25,000 (Russia) | INR 60,000 (Finland) |
That’s a 35K saving for the same once-in-a-lifetime view.
3. Arctic Floating: Cozy, Calm, Affordable
Floating in icy Arctic waters in a survival suit, staring at the sky — magical anywhere, but kinder on the wallet in Murmansk.
| Arctic Floating | INR 9,000 | INR 35,000 |
Almost ¼th the price in Russia. Need we say more?
4. Husky Farm Fun
Who doesn’t want to befriend (or boop) huskies in the snow?
| Husky Farm Visit | INR 5,000 | INR 10,000 |
Twice the cost in Finland for the same furry joyride.
5. Reindeer Ride: Santa Vibes, Lesser Bills
Step into your Christmas-movie fantasy without paying movie-level budgets.
| Reindeer Ride | INR 4,500 | INR 10,000 |
Another activity more than 2x cheaper in Russia.
6. Visa — The Real Game Changer for Indians
Here’s where Russia practically wins by walkover:
🇷🇺 Russia Visa for Indians
- 100% online
- Fast approval
- Simple process
- No extensive documentation
🇫🇮 Finland (Schengen) Visa
- Lengthy process
- Multiple documents
- VFS appointments
- Longer waiting time
- Higher rejection stress
For Indian travellers, one feels like sending a document, the other feels like submitting a thesis.
The Verdict
Both destinations promise snowy wonderlands and shimmering auroras. But if the experiences are the same, why pay almost double or triple for them?
Murmansk gives you:
Cheaper Northern Lights tours
Affordable glass igloos
Budget-friendly Arctic adventures
Easier visa access
And the same magical winter wonderland
So the real question isn’t “Why pick Russia?”
It’s — “Why pick Finland when Russia gives you everything for almost half the price?”
For Indian travellers looking for value, ease, and unforgettable Arctic memories, Murmansk isn’t just a good choice — it’s the smartest one.
