How to Get to Lapland? Flights, Trains & Driving

Planning a trip to Finnish Lapland? Here’s how to get here by plane, train or car, and which option makes the most sense for your trip.

Lapland may look far away on the map, but getting there is actually quite straightforward. Most international travellers arrive by flying to one of Lapland’s airports, while trains are a great option if you are travelling from Helsinki or elsewhere in Finland. Driving gives you the most flexibility, especially if you want to visit several destinations.

Flying to Lapland

For international travellers, flying is usually the easiest and fastest way to reach Finnish Lapland.

There are several airports serving Lapland:

• Rovaniemi (RVN) – the most popular choice, usually cheapest flights, especially for first-time visitors and Santa Claus Village
• Kittilä (KTT) – best for Levi, Ylläs and nearby areas
• Ivalo (IVL) – convenient for Saariselkä and northern Lapland
• Kuusamo (KAO) – useful for Ruka and the Kuusamo area. Technically not in Lapland.
• Kemi-Tornio (KEM) – useful for southern Lapland, also usually cheap option
• Enontekiö (ENF) – mainly for private flights and sesonal charters

During the winter season, there are more direct international flights to Lapland than during the rest of the year.

Extra options are also flights to Sweden Luleå airport (LLA) or Oulu airport (OUL). Both are roughly 3 hours drive away from Rovaniemi. You can get from Oulu to Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi or Kolari by train and around Lapland by bus. From Luleå you can easily get to Tornio and from there anywhere in Lapland by bus.

Which airport should you fly to?

Going to Rovaniemi? Fly to Rovaniemi Airport.

Going to Levi? Kittilä is usually the most convenient airport.

Going to Saariselkä? Fly to Ivalo.

Going to Ruka? Kuusamo is the closest airport.

One important thing: don’t automatically book the cheapest flight without checking the distance to your actual destination. Lapland is huge. Choosing the right airport can save you hours of ground transportation.

Taking the train to Lapland

The train is one of the easiest ways to travel from southern Finland to Lapland and it can be a fun part of the trip itself.

You can travel from Helsinki to Lapland by train, with services operated by VR.

The most popular option for travellers is the overnight train, often called the “Santa Claus Express“.” You can sleep during the journey and wake up in Lapland the next morning.

The main railway destinations include:

• Rovaniemi
• Kemijärvi
• Kolari

This makes the train particularly useful if you’re travelling to destinations such as Rovaniemi, Pyhä/Luosto or Ylläs.

Only real website for getting train tickets in Finland is VR.FI. (Finnish National Railway = Valtion Rautatiet = VR) Do not use anything else!

Is the train better than flying?

It depends. The train takes considerably longer than flying, but you don’t have the same airport procedures, and an overnight sleeper can effectively turn the journey into a night of accommodation.

For a longer Finland trip, combining a flight one way and a train the other way can also be a great option.

Driving to Lapland

Driving to Lapland gives you the most freedom. If you’re already travelling around Finland, renting a car can make sense, particularly if you want to visit several destinations rather than staying in one resort.

For example, you could combine:
Rovaniemi -> Pyhä -> Luosto -> Levi
or explore smaller villages and viewpoints that aren’t as easy to reach by public transport.

I have written separate guide for Driving in winter in Lapland.

Driving all the way from Helsinki?

Yes, you can absolutely drive from Helsinki to Lapland. But it’s a long journey. Rovaniemi is roughly 800 km from Helsinki, and destinations further north are considerably farther.

If you’re travelling in winter, you also need to account for:

• snow and ice
• limited daylight
• slower driving speeds
• winter tyres
• reindeer and other wildlife on the roads
• changing weather conditions

For a short 3–4 day holiday, flying will usually make more sense.

For a longer road trip, however, driving can be an excellent way to experience Finland.

Getting around once you arrive

Getting to Lapland is only half of the question.

You also need to think about how you’ll get from the airport or railway station to your accommodation.

Depending on your destination, you can use:

• airport buses
• local buses
• taxis
• private transfers*
• rental cars*

Rovaniemi is particularly easy if you are staying in the city centre or Santa Claus Village, while destinations such as Levi, Ylläs and Saariselkä have their own transfer and bus connections.

Always check the connection between your arrival time and your accommodation before booking your flight or train.

A cheap flight arriving late at night isn’t necessarily a cheap trip if you then need an expensive private transfer.

Can You Travel Around Lapland by Bus?

Yes, you can. Would I recommend it to everyone? Not necessarily.

Even my friends who live here sometimes shake their heads when I tell them I’m sometimes travelling around Finnish Lapland by public transport. And honestly, I understand why. The bus network in Lapland is nothing like public transport in a big European city. If your bus leaves and you’re not on it, there may not be another one coming along in ten minutes. There might be another one tomorrow. Or day after that. And that is the important thing to understand.

Buses do connect the main towns and tourist destinations, and you can absolutely use them to travel without a car. But services are much less frequent than you may be used to. A bus stop can also be surprisingly… minimal. Don’t always expect a shelter, a timetable or even much of anything besides a small sign by the road. In some places, the “bus stop” really does feel like a sign in the middle of the forest.

So check your timetable carefully, know exactly where your stop is and arrive early. Once you’re on the bus, though, it’s a completely different experience. You get to sit somewhere warm while the frozen forests, snowy fells and endless winter landscapes pass outside the window.

You can find all bus schedules and tickets from Matkahuolto website.

So, should you travel around Lapland by bus?

Yes, if you enjoy planning. Buses can be a great option if you’re staying in one of the main destinations or travelling between places with established connections. But if your itinerary involves several remote locations, small villages or multiple activities at different times, a rental car will give you much more flexibility.

My rule of thumb would be:
– One destination -> public transport can work very well.
– Several destinations -> consider renting a car.
– Remote areas + tight schedule -> definitely check the connections carefully before booking anything.

Should you fly, take the train or drive?

Here’s the simple version:

Option	Best for	Main advantage
✈️ Flight	International travellers, short visits	Fastest
🚆 Train	Travelling from southern Finland (Helsinki airport), flexible schedule	Comfortable overnight journey
🚗 Car	Road trips & multiple destinations	Maximum flexibility

FAQ: Getting to Finnish Lapland

What is the easiest way to get to Lapland?
For international travellers, flying is generally the easiest option. Rovaniemi, Kittilä and Ivalo are among the main airports used by visitors.

Can you get to Lapland by train?
Yes. Overnight trains connect Helsinki and other parts of Finland with destinations including Rovaniemi, Kemijärvi and Kolari.

Can you drive to Lapland?
Yes. Driving is a good option for longer trips and road trips, but winter driving requires extra time and preparation.

Which airport is best for Lapland?
It depends on your destination. Rovaniemi is best for Rovaniemi, Kittilä for Levi and Ylläs, Ivalo for Saariselkä, and Kuusamo for Ruka.

How far is Lapland from Helsinki?
Rovaniemi is around 800 km from Helsinki by road. Northern destinations are significantly farther.

Do I need a car in Lapland?
Not necessarily. If you’re staying in one of the main tourist destinations, you can often manage with buses, transfers and taxis. A car becomes more useful if you want to explore multiple destinations or travel independently.