Rovaniemi is far north — about 830 km from Helsinki — yet surprisingly easy to reach. The airport is ten minutes from the centre, trains run daily from Helsinki, and in winter many European cities have seasonal direct flights. Here is how to get to Rovaniemi and how to get around once you are there.
By plane
- Via Helsinki: several flights a day year-round; the Helsinki–Rovaniemi leg takes about 1 h 20 min.
- Seasonal direct flights: in winter, airlines and charter operators fly directly to Rovaniemi from various European cities (often from the UK, Germany, France and other countries). Schedules change every season — check before you plan.
- Other Lapland airports: Kittilä (Levi) and Ivalo (Saariselkä) are further north; Kemi is about 1.5 hours away by road.
- Time zone: Finland is on Eastern European Time (UTC+2, UTC+3 in summer) — one hour ahead of most of western Europe.
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Rovaniemi Airport to the city
| Option | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Airport bus | ≈ 15–20 min | timed with arrivals in winter |
| Taxi | ≈ 10–15 min | at the terminal |
| Hotel or tour transfer | — | some hotels and tours include it |
| Rental car | ≈ 10 min | winter tyres standard |
Santa Claus Village is even closer — less than 5 km from the terminal.
By train: the night train from Helsinki
Finnish Railways (VR) runs daily trains between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, including night trains with sleeping cabins — often nicknamed the “Santa Claus Express”. You board in the evening and wake up in Lapland. Daytime trains take about 8 hours, night trains about 10–13 hours depending on the service. Some night trains carry cars, and cabins with private shower are available.
- ✔ Pros
- No extra flight
- Saves a hotel night
- An unforgettable arrival in the snow
- ✘ Cons
- Long journey
- Cabins sell out early around Christmas
Car hire in Rovaniemi
You do not need a car for a classic trip: tours pick you up, and the centre is walkable. A rental car is useful if you want to explore beyond Rovaniemi — Ranua, Kemi’s icebreaker, the fells further north — or chase the northern lights on your own. Most rental companies are at the airport; cars come with winter tyres. Drive carefully: roads are snowy, days are short and reindeer often wander onto the road.
Compare car hire at Rovaniemi Airport →
Getting around Rovaniemi
- On foot: the centre is compact; paths are gritted but wear boots with good grip.
- City buses: line 8 links the centre with Santa Claus Village all year.
- Taxis: available, but book ahead at busy times in December.
- Tours: nearly all include pickup from central hotels.
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Hotels in Rovaniemi near the station and centre
Map with live prices from Booking.com & co. — partner link, no extra cost to you.
Where to stay: see our guide to areas and hotels. Package holidays: see itineraries and budgets.
Read also:Where to stay in Rovaniemi
Quiz: getting to Lapland
Three quick questions.
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What is Rovaniemi Airport’s code?
RVN — about 10 km from the city centre.
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How long is the night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi?
Board in the evening, wake up in Lapland.
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Which bus goes from the centre to Santa Claus Village?
City bus 8 runs all year.
Answer every question to see your score.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get to Rovaniemi?
Fly to Rovaniemi Airport (RVN) via Helsinki or on a seasonal direct flight, or take the train from Helsinki (about 8 h by day, 10–13 h at night).
How far is Rovaniemi Airport from the city?
About 10 km — 10–15 minutes by taxi or about 15–20 minutes by airport bus.
Do I need a car in Rovaniemi?
Not for a classic trip: tours include pickup and the centre is walkable. A car helps for day trips further afield.
Is there a direct flight to Rovaniemi?
In winter, seasonal direct flights operate from several European cities; schedules change each year. Year-round, you connect in Helsinki.
By
Aino lives in Finnish Lapland and writes about everything that matters on the ground; Markus is a travel editor who compares tours, prices and hotels. We are independent — not a tour operator, and not affiliated with Visit Rovaniemi or Santa Claus Village.
Affiliate disclosure: this guide contains affiliate links (GetYourGuide, Booking.com & co. via Stay22). If you book through them we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Prices are indicative and were checked at the time of writing — the live price on the booking page always prevails.