I looked at flights last year for November of last year from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. They were very reasonable. I'm looking now at flights for November of this year and they are literally 5 times more expensive. They are reasonable up to Oct 31 then starting in November they jump up really high. Why is this?
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
What do you consider reasonable vs 5 times more expensive.
Finnair for a md November RT is showing about 138 EUR. https://www.finnair.com/us-en
Flight from
Helsinki
HEL, Helsinki Vantaa
Flight to
Rovaniemi
RVN, Rovaniemi
Passengers
1 adult
Travel class
Economy
Departure date
11 Nov 2020
Wednesday
Return date
18 Nov 2020
Wednesday
Prices from
€138
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5845 posts
Is it possible that you are looking too early? I see that Norwegian flies that route. Have they opened up booking yet?
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
Airlines typically sell ticket up to about 11 months/330 days in advance.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5845 posts
Airlines typically sell ticket up to about 11 months/330 days in advance.
While that is true of the major carriers, the low-price carriers don’t always follow the norm.
This doesn’t answer your question exactly, but Norwegian indicates that they release routes in two chunks with the break between Oct 31 and Nov 1:
https://norwegian.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/15/~/route-release
They are currently showing flights on that route through October 23rd. It is not clear whether they stop flying that route in October or whether they just haven’t released tickets yet.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6968 posts
You never know with airline prices. But my advice would be to skip the flight and take the overnight train instead, it will save you both time and money.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
The Finnish VR train website isn't working properly but the Rail Europe is pricing Helsinki to Rovaniemi at $91 US each way second class, $182 US total return.
Posted by
Medford, OR, USA
5837 posts
VR website appears fixed:
https://shop.vr.fi/onlineshop/SearchResultDomestic.do
Helsinki to Rovaniemi one way is priced at 80EUR Regular 64EUR for pensioners.
Departure 8:24
Arrival 16:46
The Senior RT cost of 2x64=128 EUR is 10 EUR cheaper than the Finnair RT of 138 EUR and you would save the cost of getting to the airport. If you are not a pensioner, the trail RT of 160 EUR would be more expensive than the Finnair RT.
Posted by
Uppsala, Sweden
6968 posts
The Senior RT cost of 2x64=128 EUR is 10 EUR cheaper than the Finnair
RT of 138 EUR and you would save the cost of getting to the airport.
If you are not a pensioner, the trail RT of 160 EUR would be more
expensive than the Finnair RT.
But, if you take the overnight train, you save the cost of one night in a hotel.