How to get to Rovaniemi
Rovaniemi is the main city of Lapland, the northern region of Finland. It is the coldest area in the entire country and where the largest number of wild animals, snow and northern lights can be seen throughout the year. This city is located 1,200 kilometers from the capital, Helsinki.
Many people may be intimidated by the distance of Rovaniemi and consider it a remote place, far from society. But the truth is, that it is not as difficult to access; nor is it as far away as we may think. That’s why we’ll help you find a way to get to us and enjoy an unforgettable holiday.
It’s a long way to Lapland, home to Santa Claus, through Finland’s more than 100 000 lakes. And we can assure you of one thing: we’ve been there ourselves and it has been one of the most enjoyable experiences of our lives. The amount of nature and the breathtaking views that the Finnish taiga offers are unique. We invite you to check the following options and choose the one that suits you best. You can always count with our team to book activities!
Let’s get started.
Have a look to all the possibilities that we have brought to you on the table!
1. Getting to Rovaniemi by train.
In Finland the principal train company is called VR. Their trains are high-quality, prepared with an area for children to play inside and a restaurant wagon in case you get hungry…It even counts with a wagon for pets! In fact, Finnish trains considered one of the cleanest trains in Europe.
And if the distance seems too long for you, it gets even better: You can sleep inside the train in a sleeping wagon provided with TV and a bed for maximum comfort!
Their website is vr.fi and prices vary depending on how far in advance the reservation is made. We recommend booking train tickets as soon as possible.
2. Fast as a lighting by airplane.
We also can’t stand the time we have to wait to arrive at our destination. We want to get there as fast as possible. Our time is very valuable! So, for people who want to get to the reindeer land in an instant, there is the possibility to use the airplane.The main company operating in Finland with airplanes is Finnair, which allows you to move within the whole territory. If you come in summer, you can be lucky enough to see the spectrum of colours that appears with the midnight sun in the sky during your flight. A unique experience!
3. Car route!
Let yourself be absorbed by the views and forests full of pines, firs and birches with your car, and take the curves with absolute pleasure. As opposed to its brother countries; Sweden and Norway, Finland is a flat country, so it is really comfortable to drive here.
Furthermore, if you are a huge fan of old school cars, you will see these beauties all around the northern areas. Get ready to see old Pontiacs, Cadillacs, Volvo ´s based on Volkswagen type 1 and Muscle cars from the seventies and eighties.
If you are a fan of drifting, you can take your car into the frozen lake during winter and enjoy the craziness! But please, only do this winter or the ice can bring you a surprise!
Some of the websites that you can use for renting cars here in Rovaniemi are Kayak, Sixt or DiscoverCars.
4. Our home with us. Autocaravan.
During the last Northern Lights tour we did recently, we found out our customers were traveling around all the Scandinavian countries in a van. A family of 4 members all together taking pictures everywhere around Lapland!
If you feel that you want to take your time, have an immersive experience in the forest, or you want to keep some distance from all the busy stuff in the city center, this is your option!
Also, Lapland is provided with lots of Laavu. Originally, Laavus were a traditional Finnish shelter intended for temporary residence during hiking trips in the wilderness. They are found throughout Lapland, near national parks and fishing spots and are free to use by visitors to make their own barbeque. It is a cool activity to do all year round and it is very popular among Finnish people.
