Flights

Please note that you are liable for the cost of your airfare in the event you need to cancel off the program; if Travel/Study must change the arrival / departure cities; or if Travel/Study is unable to run the program for any reason.

We strongly recommend purchasing refundable or transferrable tickets, or purchasing additional travel insurance to cover the cost of your flights in case you are unable to use your ticket. You may opt to work with your travel agent or call airlines directly or look on your preferred travel websites for flight options.

If you don’t already have a travel agent, we recommend you contact Carol Brazeau at Travel Experts, Inc., located in Oceanside, CA. She would be happy to assist you with air arrangements.

• Carol can be reached by email at carol@travelxperts.com or by phone at 650-823-9958. 

• Note that Carol charges a service fee for making travel arrangements.

Once you have booked your air, please forward a copy of the flight itinerary you receive from your airline or travel agent (including from Carol Brazeau, if you opt to book through her) to travelstudy@alumni.stanford.edu. Include the following details:

• Your airline record locator number

• Arrival date and time at the start of the trip

• The departure and arrival airports for the final leg of your journey at the start of the trip

• Departure date and time at the end of the trip

• The departure and arrival airports for the first leg of your journey at the end of the trip

• Airline and flight numbers

You may wish to download the app for your airline(s) and explore it prior to the trip by looking up your reservation, etc. The app typically allows you to check-in for your flight in advance of arriving at the airport, manage seat assignments, and provides contact information for the airline.

When to Arrive/ Transfers 

Arrive in Helsinki (airport code HEL) at any time on Saturday, March 22.

• Transfer duration: approximately 30-40 minutes from the airport to the Hotel Haven (12 miles).

• Check-in time at hotel: rooms will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. on March 22. We have requested early check-in for our group but it is not guaranteed.

• First activity: Our first official group event will be a welcome orientation and lecture the morning of Sunday, March 23.

  • An optional walking tour will be offered on Saturday, March 22, departing at 1:00 p.m. from the lobby of our hotel, for those who arrive earlier in the day on March 22 before their rooms are ready.

Transfers from the Helsinki airport to the Hotel Haven are provided for all travelers, regardless of arrival date. We’ll use the flight information you provide to arrange included transfers. 

• You may be grouped with other travelers arriving on the same flight or at the same time. 

• If you are not arriving to the Helsinki airport and staying at the Hotel Haven, you will need to request a private transfer at additional cost or make independent arrangements to meet up with the group.

When to Depart/Transfers 

Depart from Rovaniemi (RVN) at any time on Sunday, March 30.

• Transfer duration: approximately 10-15 minutes from the Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus to the airport (5 miles). It is recommended that you arrive at the airport in Finland 3 hours prior to an international departure.

• Final activity: farewell dinner on March 29.

Transfers from our hotel to the Rovaniemi airport are provided for all travelers, regardless of departure date. We’ll use the flight information you provide to arrange included transfers. 

• You may be grouped with other travelers departing on the same flight or at the same time. 

• If you are not staying at the Hotel Santa Claus and departing from the Rovaniemi airport, you will need to request a private transfer at additional cost or make independent arrangements.

Arriving early or departing late?

If you decide to arrive early or depart late, please request your extra hotel nights by emailing your program manager, at nkraemer@stanford.edu.   

The following are costs for extra hotel nights:

Hotel Haven, Helsinki – grand deluxe*

• $315.00 per room per night, double occupancy

• $300.00 per room per night, single occupancy

Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus, Rovaniemi – superior room*

• $360.00 per room per night, double occupancy

• $350.00 per room per night, single occupancy

* These prices include breakfast and taxes.

• Note that the rates above may include booking fees and more restrictive cancellation penalties than the main program. Payment for extra hotel nights made through Travel/Study are nonrefundable after the final payment date for the trip. 

• These rates may not represent the lowest available pricing; you may find better deals online or by booking directly with the hotel.

• You may need to change rooms if you opt to book directly; hotels cannot always link individual hotel reservations with group reservations.

• If you elect to make your own additional hotel reservations, please notify program manager Nancy Kraemer by email at nkraemer@stanford.edu.