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Traveling - Flights to Lapland

Only one man on Earth travels to Lapland by flying reindeer. Luckily for the rest of us, Lapland is connected to the world through direct flights and six international airports. This makes Finnish Lapland the most accessible Arctic wilderness destination in the world, where flying, among other things, is developed sustainability first.

Flying to Finnish Lapland

Flying to Lapland is simple, fast and thanks to our regional airports, more convenient than ever before! There are a number of daily flights from Helsinki with flight times that vary between 1–1,5 hours, just enough time for a cup of coffee and a quick bite.

Lapland’s airports

• Kemi-Tornio

Furthermore, there are direct flights to Lapland from various cities around the world. In the winter season, there are direct flights from London, Manchester, Munich, Frankfurt, Berlin and Zurich. Flight time from London to Rovaniemi is 3 hours 20 minutes; from Berlin, it’s only 2 hours 40 minutes.

Check out these companies for your flight to Lapland:

• TUI airways

Fly sustainably

Finnish Lapland, its destinations, tourism operators and national partners are committed to sustainable tourism development. Environmentally, that means reducing the impact that flying has.

Finavia , which manages Finland’s airports, succeeded in its plan to make every airport in Finland carbon neutral in 2019, already meeting 20% of Europe’s goal of 100 carbon neutral airports by 2030. There are six airports in Finnish Lapland, allowing for direct connections with cities all over the world. Direct flights to local airports means less travel between busy airports, fewer emissions, and more time spent enjoying your holiday.

National carrier Finnair has a modern fleet and the latest technology aimed at reducing fuel consumption , as well as an ambitious goal to be carbon neutral by 2045, part of their larger contributions to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. By 2025, they plan to have halved their 2019-level emissions.

Riding the rails?

Whether you arrive in Finland via airplane or cruise ship, there are good rail connections to shepherd you on your journey to Lapland. Traveling from Helsinki to Rovaniemi takes between 8 to 12 hours , depending on the train connections. There are also terminus train stations in Kemijärvi and Kolari.

Sleeping cabins in the night trains are a Finnish tradition, providing a comfortable and refreshing way to travel overnight. Some night trains also have car-carriers, so you can even take your own car along. When visiting some of the more remote destinations, your journey can then be easily continued from the railway stations by bus, car or taxi.

For timetables and tickets, visit VR .

Exploring by car

Traveling by car or caravan? Finland has well-maintained and extensive highways to get you smoothly from Helsinki to Lapland. The most direct road route ( E75 ) from Helsinki to Lapland travels via Lahti, Jyväskylä and Oulu to reach Rovaniemi and continues all the way to the Arctic Ocean. Highway E75 is punctuated with towns, villages, fells, natural monuments and other amazing locations to experience.

Other popular routes include the highways joining the coastal towns of West Finland ( E18 , E8 and E75 ) heading north, and the eastern route that goes through the towns of e.g. Lappeenranta, Joensuu, Kajaani and Kuusamo ( Highway 6 , E63 ).

Finland also has plenty of rental car companies , ready to put you behind the driver’s seat:

planning your next arctic adventure?

• You have questions. We have answers.
• Driving in Winter
• Warm Blankets & Cozy Cabins

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Helsinki to Lapland Train: 7 Important Tips to Booking and Traveling

Traveling from Helsinki to Lapland by train is the most convenient way to get from Southern Finland to Lapland if you have even one of the following:

• loads of stuff
• a limited amount of time

We Finns often drive to Lapland. So did my family too but then we decided to try the train. We booked the night train with a car because we wanted to explore Lapland on our own once we were there.

And oh, the easiness of packing one week’s things in the trunk of our car, parking the vehicle into the car-carrier, walking to our compartment and waking up the next morning in Lapland… After that one time on the train, I knew I was never going to drive to Lapland again!

I have gathered this mini-guide to help you make the best trip to Lapland using the train.

Psssst… For more helpful Finland tips, follow me on Instagram!

            Näytä tämä julkaisu Instagramissa.                         Henkilön Varpu ?? herfinland.com (@her_finland) jakama julkaisu Syys 16, 2018 kello 10.48 PDT

Okay, so let’s go! Here’s what I’m going to be covering with this post.

Table of Contents

Helsinki to Lapland Trains: Your Options

Helsinki to lapland train – how much it costs, the older and newer lapland night trains, a lapland night train with a car, book your lapland train tickets early, pack the minimum, bring at least a big water bottle with you, take a pill if you get easily nauseous, kids aged 10 and under are free, compartment tips for the new lapland train, compartment tips for the old lapland train.

There are a couple of Lappish railway stations: Rovaniemi, Kolari, and Kemijärvi.

From Kolari, it’s the easiest for you to explore the western Lapland. There are buses leaving for Lappish resorts (for example Ylläs and Levi) from the Kolari railway station. From Kemijärvi station, you’ll get to the eastern Lapland. Rovaniemi is the central hub of Lapland.

If you want to find out more about traveling by train in Finland, be sure to read also my helpful guide about using trains and buses in Finland!

On my trips, I have traveled from Helsinki to both Kolari and Rovaniemi. When using the train, my recommendation is to travel from Helsinki to Lapland using the night train. It’s the most efficient use of your time and if you book early, not so expensive as you might think.

Departure time is always around 7-9 pm from Helsinki. The arrival time is either in the morning or before noon at the last destination.

By the way, the Helsinki – Rovaniemi Night Train connection is sometimes called Santa Claus Express because Rovaniemi is the official hometown of Santa Claus.

Check out here the timetables from Helsinki to Lappish railway stations.

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You can buy a seat, a berth, a private compartment and take a car with you if you want.  A lot of options! If you are traveling on a budget, I recommend booking 2-3 months before your trip. You can easily score a cheap berth ticket (for example, 50€/one-way in a Helsinki Rovaniemi train).

In August 2017, the price of Helsinki-Rovaniemi-Helsinki tickets including a car and two persons in a private compartment with own toilet & shower was around 450 euros.

In April and September 2018, the price of Helsinki-Kolari-Helsinki tickets including a car, two persons and a baby in a private compartment was around 650 euros on both times. Kolari is further north compared to Rovaniemi.

In March 2019, the price of Helsinki-Kolari-Helsinki tickets including a car, two persons and three kids (two of them under 10 and thus free of charge), in a private compartment was around 800 euros.

Waiting at Pasila railway station in Helsinki to hop on the train and go to our compartment. The car is already on board.

There are older trains and newer trains shuttling between Lapland and the south. I have traveled in both. The older train model doesn’t have private toilets in the compartments.

However, the cabin and bed are slightly bigger in the older model. So, as we travel with a kid or kids, we have chosen the older train model, if there was a possibility to do so. Both train types have their pros and cons. In both, the bathroom facilities are tidy.

You are able to take a car with you to the Lapland night train. As it might sound a bit tricky (it’s not!), I try to describe how it works.

• Buy the tickets.
• The driver (most likely you) drives the car into the car-carrier. Others wait aside as that happens. This area is somewhere close to the regular station.
• Walk to the regular station platform and board the train as usual. (Car-carriers are attached separately to the ordinary train.)
• Go to your compartment and get comfortable.
• Don’t get too comfortable because you will hear a knock on your door and tickets are checked.
• Get really comfortable.
• Wake up at your destination.
• Walk to the car-carrier platform. The driver gets the car.
• Continue your adventure!

The car-carrier station in Pasila, Helsinki looks like this. There’s a short walk to the main station of Pasila where you get on board.

The car-carrier about to be opened so that the drivers can fetch their cars in Rovaniemi. Behind on the left, the sleeping cars of the same trains.

Seven Important Tips to Lapland Night Trains

Here are my helpful tips from several train rides so you know how to book and what to expect on board!

Remember to book early in advance, in all seasons! Especially wintertime is crazy busy! We buy our tickets online. Finland has only one state-owned railway company, so you can’t go wrong.

Usually, you can buy night train tickets three to four months before the actual date. If the search is not able to fetch your dates, then the tickets haven’t been released.

If you have any questions about trains and tickets, I highly recommend the Finnish train company’s chat  customer service on Facebook. They are very quick to reply. I’ve used it with all my questions. So quick to reply. Another option is to call the customer service .

The cabin is comfortable but understandably tiny. Pack a separate bag with overnight essentials for the train trip only.

The train price includes towels, linen, and a tiny water bottle.  Remember to take earplugs and an eye mask if you are a light sleeper!

There is a cafeteria on board with extended opening hours. On our first train trip, we chose to bring our snacks to maximize the unsocial bliss of our private compartment. Later  (read: after the baby) , we have used the cafeteria as it is so easy to eat there.

Anyway, my recommendation is to take at least a big bottle of drinking water with you!  You cannot drink tap water on the train and the free bottles in the compartment are minuscule.

If you get seasick, the side movement of the train when lying may cause you the same feeling. Have a pill (you can get it from a local pharmacy without a prescription) and feel better.

At the moment, children aged 10 and under travel free of charge if they sleep in the same berths with the parents.

It is a great deal but not a good night of sleep. If you would like to have separate berths for kids but be close to them, you can ask for adjoining compartments. In that case, remember to make your booking via phone or consult your booking in the chat before booking.

If you are just booking one compartment and have young kids who travel for free, you can do the online booking this way: Buy private compartment tickets for the adult/adults.

Then, go to the VR Facebook chat and say you have young kids traveling with you. They will ask your ticket number and send free kids’ tickets into your email.

The cabin with a private bathroom looks like this.

One berth is comfortable for one person and belongings. These two pics are from the newer train model. 

Here are some helpful pics of the older compartment style.

The compartment.

The orange table of the compartment is a sink too!

The upper bed tilts with the use of the ‘wall spike’ so that you fit to sit straight on the bed below.

Will you travel from Helsinki to Lapland by train? Was this guide helpful? Let me know in the comments below!

Looking for more tips on visiting Lapland and Helsinki? Check out some of my other guides:

• Lapland Packing List: What to Wear in Winter Finland!
• Helsinki in Winter: 50 Wonderfully Special Things to Do
• Best Time to See Northern Lights in Finland: The Make-No-Mistakes Guide
• 7 Things to do in Rovaniemi: From Lappish Cuisine to Ice Floating
• 100 Authentic Things to Do in Helsinki to Explore it like a Local

Warm wishes from Finland,  Varpu

After this quick cultural class , you’ll know…

• Why feeling connected with the Finnish lifestyle is easier than you think
• “ The Hedgehog ” template that makes it super comfortable to start a conversation
• The one question that will confuse both you and the Finns
• How to blend in with the Finnish culture, not that you have to fit in

Join the class and jump to Finland with me!

Hello there!

I’m Varpu. One blonde, travel-loving, Finnish engineer driving this site.

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About Varpu I’m the founder of Her Finland. I love cultural tidbits, aha moments, Finnish folklore, and cinnamon buns. My newest interest is learning bird songs. Read more about me..

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Sunday 12th of February 2023

Helpful tips. We want to cross country ski our hearts out in Lapland. Looking for more information on cross country skiing. We'd like to avoid crowds/

Saturday 25th of February 2023

Hi! I love cross-country skiing too. Lapland is a great destination to do this activity. Even the smallest of places will have cross-country ski tracks in Finland. And, anywhere you go, you cannot find any crowds. One of my favorite places to do cross-country skiing is Ylläs. Here's more about Ylläs: https://herfinland.com/yllas-ski-resort/

Sunday 27th of March 2022

Hi! Greetings from Singapore! Your blog is really helpful for me. I am planning to visit Finland this year December with my husband and 2 kids (5 yr old and 10 mth old). I do not know where to begin with my planning. I’m planning for 10-14 days stay in Finland. Do u happen to have itinerary that is suitable for my family? Ps: I just followed you on Instagram:)

Monday 28th of March 2022

Hei Liyana! That's so great that you are planning a trip to Finland. I warmly recommend getting the Lonely Planet Finland book, it includes several ready-made itineraries and the recommendations are great. Overall, it's easy to travel with children in Finland! Here is my affiliate link to the book: https://geni.us/lpfinland Hope this helps!

Nicolle Leider

Thursday 30th of December 2021

Hi! Loved this article, so helpful as we prepare to travel to Finland next March. The VR train website is a bit confusing for us (we don't have trains where we live), and we were wondering how we should put the dates when searching for tickets? When we select a date for the overnight train, it moves it back one day which makes us assume it's asking what day we wish to arrive to Lapland instead of what day we want to depart Helsinki. Is that correct? Thank you!

Saturday 1st of January 2022

Hi Nicolle! I'm so happy to hear that you found this blog helpful! I'm not entirely sure what could be the issue in your case, I really recommend sending a Facebook message on the VR Facebook page with a print screen if possible because that chat is so good! Hope this helps, have the best time in Lapland in March, it's so lovely there at that time of year!

Peter Chamlis

Sunday 19th of April 2020

Good morning, Varpu, My wife, adult daughter and I are considering a trip to Finland NEXT May (13 months away). We'd really like to do the overnight Santa Claus Express to Rovaniemi. We are a party of three and I'd think we'll want to book a double sleeper and a single sleeper. Do you believe it's possible to have them close together? (My daughter is special needs - very independent, but probably doesn't need to be three cars away from us) Also, is it possible to book a double sleeper for single occupancy?

Please feel free to email me privately, I'd love to meet you and learn from your experience. Our family does like to travel, we've proudly touched all seven continents.

Varpu Pöyry

Monday 20th of April 2020

Hei Peter! Happy to help and so awesome that you are considering Finland as your travel destination. Yes, it's definitely possible to have the sleepers close together and to book one for single occupancy. To do this, to my understanding, you would need to make a phone call for the reservation. You could reach out to the chat service on Facebook to doublecheck how to make the perfect reservation for your needs. The chat is great. May is an off-season month for many Lappish operators, as the snow is/has melted and it's not summer yet. Rovaniemi is a big town so the museum etc. are open for sure. If you want to explore winter activities & sun in Lapland, I suggest traveling March - Mid April. The summer season tends to start in June but, of course, it all depends on what kind of exploring you are planning. Hope this helps a bit!

Wednesday 18th of December 2019

I'm so happy found your blog here after about a week frustrating been seeking information about Lapland. I have a question: Can we travel from Lapland to Tromso Norway?

Friday 27th of December 2019

Hei Sumastri! Yes you can! Here is the provider: https://www.thearcticroute.com/route/tromso-rovaniemi/

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How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Finnish Lapland

From the northern lights to the legendary sauna culture, this arctic destination has it all. Here's what you won't want to miss.

Milamai / Getty Images

Lapland, the northernmost region of Finland, is the place to go to check more than a few once-in-a-lifetime experiences off your list — like seeing the northern lights and experiencing the midnight sun. The arctic destination has stunning nighttime skies, wide-open landscapes, and air so fresh it can make you happier. Here’s how to plan a trip to Finnish Lapland that you’ll never forget. 

When to Go to Finnish Lapland

Here’s the good news about Lapland: It’s always beautiful out — well, depending on how you define “beautiful.” The region's peak travel season falls between December and February thanks to a natural phenomenon we’ll get to in a moment. During this period, the region’s average temperature ranges from 3 to 37 degrees Fahrenheit, though it can get down to as low as minus 22 degrees Fahrenheit with added wind chill. 

By contrast, temperatures in the summer can be much milder, usually ranging from 50 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit, making it a prime time to visit the area for hiking, kayaking, and other outdoor adventures.

How to See the Northern Lights in Finnish Lapland

Many visitors travel to Finnish Lapland to take in a few breathtaking natural occurrences — including the aurora borealis, or northern lights. You can see this phenomenon any time between August and April, though it occurs more frequently around the equinoxes in late September and late March. Visit then and look to the sky on clear nights for a chance to witness this incredible celestial light show.

Those looking for a more curated experience can ask their hotel for recommendations, or they can book a guided trip like a  three-hour aurora borealis picnic  in Rovaniemi, which includes a short hike to an outpost with warm drinks and food. You can also take  a snowmobile tour or, the most adventurous of all, an aurora ice floating experience in Rovaniemi . It's just as it sounds — guests don dry suits and set out on a frozen lake to lie back and blissfully gaze up into the night sky.

How to See the Midnight Sun in Finnish Lapland 

Giles Clarke / Getty Images

If you’re not much of a night owl, that’s okay because Finnish Lapland offers another spectacular show: the midnight sun. From late May until early August, the tilt of the Earth means the sky never gets dark. Make the most of the near-constant daylight by taking a hike, going fishing, or even playing a round of golf when you'd normally be asleep. 

What Else to Do in Finnish Lapland

Andrey-Kobylko / Getty Images

Go for a hike.

Finnish Lapland is chock full of  stellar hiking trails  fit for all levels. The Arctic Circle and Inari hiking areas offer everything from one-hour hikes to all-day wilderness adventures, as well as restrooms and visitor centers. 

Hit the sauna.

Sauna culture has long been an integral part of Finnish life , and there’s no better spot to experience it than in  Tampere , the sauna capital of the world. Come for the public spas, but stay for the arts, culture, and attractions like the Tampere Market Hall, the largest indoor market in Scandinavia. 

Paddle your way through the region.

Explore Finnish Lapland from a different perspective by taking to its rivers for a canoeing adventure. During the warmer months, you can take in the amazing views as you meander along calming waterways. Try this six-hour canoe trip  down the River Kapsajoki, which includes a campfire lunch and opportunities for fishing. 

Visit Santa Claus.

Fun fact: Santa lives in Finland. And you can visit him any time of year at the  Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi. Kris Kringle and his elves open their famous home and workshop all 365 days of the year. Meet the man himself, cross the Arctic Circle (which passes through the theme park), embark on a snowmobile safari adventure in the Lapland wilderness, and dine in a restaurant made of snow while you're there.

Where to Stay in Finnish Lapland 

Lingxiao Xie / Getty Images

Arctic TreeHouse Hotel

At the Arctic TreeHouse Hotel in Rovaniemi, guests can enjoy a host of creature comforts in a nature-centric setting. Every room comes with fur throws and floor-to-ceiling windows, while some even have soaking tubs, fireplaces, and decks from which to take in the surrounding forest. Book the chic two-bedroom Arctic GlassHouse  to enjoy all the bells and whistles.

Seaside Glass Villas

Need more of a view? Spend a few nights at  Seaside Glass Villas , a collection of box-shaped bungalows in the waterfront town of Kemi. Each one has a floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the Bothnian Bay, as well as a glass roof through which you can enjoy incredible views of the northern lights while lying in bed.

Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort

You might recognize Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort's gorgeous glass-domed igloos from your Instagram feed, but even the best photos can't capture the magic of actually staying in one. Book the kelo-glass igloo to combine the privacy of a log chalet with the wow factor of the northern lights dancing over your bed.

Those seeking to stay in the lap of luxury need look no further than  Octola , an exclusive five-star hideaway with just 12 rooms and two chalets. Guests can book a single room or buy out the entire space if they want to bring along family and friends. 

What to Pack 

Packing for a summer trip to Finnish Lapland is relatively easy. Just bring whatever you normally would for any other summer getaway — shorts, T-shirts, a bathing suit, pants, and a light jacket for cooler nights. 

If you plan to visit in winter, you'll need to bust out the big checked bag and pack it with cozy thermal underwear, insulated snow boots with a grip, an insulated jacket, waterproof or snowproof pants , a few wool sweaters, warm gloves and socks, a hat, a scarf, and some instant heat packs to throw in your gloves and boots. If your feet tend to get cold, then foot warmers are another option. Don’t forget your camera, and make sure to pack extra batteries — they will drain quickly in the cold weather. 

How to Get There 

Despite being located in Finland's far north, getting to Lapland isn’t nearly as difficult as you may think. First, fly into Helsinki, then, depending on your final destination, continue to either Kemi or Rovaniemi by regional flight. Finnair and Norwegian Air each offer a 90-minute nonstop to Rovaniemi, or you can board a one-stop Finnair flight to Kemi via Kokkola-Jakobstad Airport in Kronoby.

If you've got the time, a scenic seven-hour train ride will get you from Helsinki to Kemi (the ride to Rovaniemi takes 8.5 hours). You can also travel between Rovaniemi and Kemi by train for a 90-minute intra-Lapland adventure.

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