Inside Finland, Rovaniemi can be reached by plane, train, coach or car. Huskies are a special breed of dog which are well adapted to long periods of intense activity as well as cold conditions. As a Finn, we get a slight feeling of irritation when this happens. The "Lapland Express": a Helsinki-Rovaniemi High Speed Train If you do plan on visiting a number of the museums or other attractions in Helsinki, consider investing in either a museum card or the Helsinki Card (buy the latter here). There is usually something of interest in each town or city, and if you have a friend there they should be able to give you some advice as to what there is to do and see So I would check with them and see what they say! Beyond Santa, theres plenty more to see and do at Santas Village. If you are driving, its around 90 minutes each way from Rovaniemi to Kemi. PRO TIPS FOR TRAVELLING EUROPE ON THE CHEAP, 2023 Big World Small Pockets. Otherwise, you can also fly direct to Laplands main airport from London and a few other major European cities. Of course, there could also be lots of snow! It's a great alternative to an unnecessary flight. Taking the train is a fast and ecological way to travel between the bigger cities in Finland. Weve tried a few different accommodation options, and have shortlisted the following as our favourites. However, Rovaniemi Airport does receive international flights. The first option you have is to head north to Saariselka. Alternatively, you can take a dedicated Northern Lights tour. You can rent the car in the city or from the airport itself, in which there are 6 different car rental companies so that you can have a car after landing in Helsinki. Bus rides are especially handy in Lapland, as trains stop at Kolari, Kemijrvi and Rovaniemi but you might want to have an adventure further in the north (and you totally should!). This is a UNESCO world heritage site, and in our opinion is a must-do attraction when visiting Helsinki. The are a number of flights each day (depending on the day) and take between one and one and a half hours. So that should help you narrow down your options. El almacenamiento o acceso tcnico que es utilizado exclusivamente con fines estadsticos. So yes, you should be able to see the ice around you, and you will also get either a sunrise or sunset from the boat, depending on which cruise you take. How to arrive to Lapland UAS - Lapland University of Applied Sciences During this time, it was also possible to take a walk on the snow covered ice, which was also a unique experience. There is no exact price for the ticket since there are different trains, whose speed is different, and you have to make a transfer, so the duration of this, although not significantly, will also influence the price. This is open throughout the winter on every day except Monday, and theres a fee to visit. Visit Finland during December for the full festive experience, or consider January or February for cheaper winter rates, albeit with lower temperatures. Whilst we very much enjoyed our stay at Kakslauttanen, its not the only option in Saariselka. This itinerary will have you visiting many of the highlights of Finland, including Finnish Lapland and the capital city of Helsinki. There are several ways to do this. It means that the newspaper has been left there for otherpassengers toenjoy. You have a few options for getting from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. Living Nomads celebrates and is inspired by explorers and their passion for travel, curiosity about the world and unique points of view. Rovaniemi: bus ticket from the railway station to Santa Claus Village. Weve had some incredible trips to Finland in winter. The train schedule, price information and basic information about the Finnish railways are available on www.vr.fi. <3. Hi Laurence and Jessica, We can also recommend getting coffee and cake at one of Finlands best known cafes, Ekberg 1852. Its free to visit Santa, although if you want a photo or video with him theres a fee for that. You can see timetables and book this train onlinehere. This website contains affiliate links to products and services that generate a small income to us if you choose to use them, at no cost to you. A fairytale spot, with old houses, cobbled streets, a historic cathedral and some charming small museums, taking a walking tour is a great way to explore this quintessential destination. By Train There are a number of trains scheduled between Rovaniemi and Helsinki per day with the journey lasting between 8 and 13 hrs, including overnight services. Notice that it is easier to travel if you take a straight connection to Kemi without changing trains on your way. Then from here, you can take the train, onnibus or plane to getting here. Thats why I think the most suitable time and best time to travel to Finnish Lapland is in the period from November to March. The Ultimate Guide to Helsinki Airport and Logistics, Helsinki Tallinn Ferry: Visit Two Capital Easy and Cheap, How to Travel from Helsinki to Lapland with Night Train, How to Plan a Finland Family Holiday without Stress. If youd like some more ideas for what to do in the city, see our guide to things to do in Helsinki, which has many more ideas. Lapland Finland is also a very large region rather than a specific city or place. This is found in Lampivaara, and here you can learn all about amethyst mining, as well as having a go at mining for amethyst yourself! Use the online shop of the Finnish Railway company, VR. Dont hesitate to drop them into the comments below Id love to hear them! Then, you can return to Rovaniemi, drop off your hire car if you have one, and fly home. Pyhtunturi or Pyh is a small town in the Pelkosenniemi municipality in Lapland, Finland. Welcome to Lapland! On your first day in Helsinki, wed suggest getting acquainted with the city center and visiting some of the attractions. The city center of Helsinki is fairly compact, and you can get pretty much anywhere with public transportation and walking. We hope you have a great trip though! Again, dont forget to check the Northern Lights forecasts! Thanks very much. In winter, cars will come with studded tyres, and the roads are well maintained. How long is the train ride from Helsinki to Rovaniemi? The flight time between Los Angeles (LAX) and Rovaniemi (RVN) is around 19h 31m and covers a distance of around 8434 km. Hei Glynis! You can check flight times and prices, andbook online here. The distance from Helsinki to Rovaniemi is about 700-800km. Porvoo, which is a cute day trip destination. Or use the VR app. This sport has you drilling a hole into the ice on a frozen lake or river, and then using special ice fishing equipment to try and catch a fish. In the last week of December, or in December at all in fact, you wont get any sunlight. Also, any tips for general solo travel in Finland would be greatly appreciated! Hopefully, it will help you enjoy an amazing trip to this country like I did. Choose a place within a reasonable distance so as not to waste too much time in transit. If youre looking for the perfect winter wonderland destination, look no further than Finland. Above this line you can experience the Midnight Sun in summer, as well as days in winter when the sun never rises at all! So, fun and interesting! Some options we suggest you take a look at include: You can also see listings for Helsinki on Vrbo here. By the way this was by far the best blog I have come across! You can always take all your luggage (even big suitcases) to a bus or train in Finland. Just near to the city museum is Helsinki Cathedral. Kemijrvi and Kolari are both above the magic Polar Circle. Heres an overview of this itinerary for quick reference: You might be wondering what the best way to get around Finland in winter is. In addition, if you have children, you can go to the Science Centre Pilke museum (Address: Ounasjoentie 6, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland) and the Angry Birds Playground (Address: Valtakatu 4, 96100 Rovaniemi, Finland). You can see our full review of Kakslauttanen here. Ticket price is 3.2/way and you can catch a bus from Rovaniemi center to Santa Claus village in 15 minutes. Launched in 1961, the Sampo is a genuine icebreaker built for serious arctic conditions. Services are operated by KLM, Finnair, Alaska Airlines, Inc. and others. My Lapland guide is a great read for you if youre planning a Lapland vacation! It takes a lot of effort to hunt this super picky girl. Utilizamos tecnologas como las cookies para almacenar y/o acceder a la informacin del dispositivo. You should exchange money at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. How to get to Lapland: the best way to travel - Backpack Adventures You should camp in national parks where firewood is available, free kitchens for grilling food, and tents near the lake. Just enter your details below and I'll email it you - simple! Being a subscriber also makes you eligible to enter our monthly travel and photography giveaways! We will have one large suitcase that's bigger than a typical carry-on size. This is one of the most traditional Finnish experiences you can have. In Helsinki region, it is rare that people greet the driver when entering or exiting the vehicle. Finland is a fairly big country though, so you might be wondering how best to spend your time here when visiting in winter. After all, you came to Finland in winter to have a winter adventure! This is amazing blog I have never come across. Or Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort (Agoda.com or Booking.com). How and where can you check timetables and buy tickets online? From Helsinki for example, take a look at this tour, which includes a traditional smoke sauna and the chance to do a cold icy plunge if youre feeling brave! Finland-themed sweaters and accessories made-to-order. First of all, getting from Helsinki to Lapland is super easy via train. Your next destination is Rovaniemi. Situated pretty far away, Ive written a full post about how to travel from Helsinki to Lapland here, which I recommend you check out for the full lowdown. Discover the art of traveling anywhere you want. Best Scandinavian Tours & Trips to See Northern Lights - Tours to Lapland Theres lots more to do in the Kittil area than skiing though. However, Rovaniemi is a city with a dense population and is polluted by lights, so its best to go to the very remote hills, the darker and less inhabited the better. Finland is a fantastic destination for a solo female traveller because it's super safe. There is a direct bus/train service from Helsinki-Vantaa airport to the train station. This was a lot of fun, although it was definitely less like swimming and more like floating. The train schedule, price information and basic information about the Finnish railways are available on www.vr.fi. In your experience, do you know if there are any problems taking these larger suitcases on the OnniBus? Finnish Lapland is a very large region with an area of about 100,367 square kilometers of which 92,667 square kilometers is land, 6,316 square kilometers is freshwater and 1,383 square kilometers is sea. The main advantage is that it has a slightly lower price compared to the train. These are famous local dishes in Lapland. There are 8 ways to get from Helsinki Airport (HEL) to Lapland by plane, bus, night train or car Select an option below to see step-by-step directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in Rome2Rio's travel planner. The fastest option will be to fly. For example, see this, If you want a more immersive and complete experience, they also offer a, We have a comprehensive guide to all our favourite, Finland is very cold in winter, and the key to a good trip is to pack appropriately! In less than fifteen hours, you will find yourself in a magical place where the sun doesn't set for weeks in summer and doesn't rise for weeks in winter. It's not clear what the size limit is. If you visit in mid-February, you get 8.5 hours between sunrise and sunset. However, there are some other activities that still cost money. KLM. Theres also Ivalo airport, 25km to the north of the city, which has services to Helsinki and other European destinations. Hi Rachel! As I mentioned in previous posts, sauna is a Finnish initiative and sauna bathing has become an indispensable part of their lives. And thats it for our one week winter itinerary for Finland. Information will be sent to the email provided above. Besides Helsinki, there are a handful of national airports, such as Rovaniemi (RVN) and Kittil (KTT) in Lapland, that offer direct international flights. The shortest road route between these two cities is 827 kilometers. Lets check out our Lapland travel blog (Lapland blog) with the fullest Lapland travel guide (Lapland guide) from how to get to Lapland Finland, best time to come, where to stay, what to see in Lapland Finland, things to do in Lapland Finland as well as what to do in Rovaniemi to find out the answer! If you are visiting Finland with children, you should be aware that most snowmobiles cant be operated by children under 15 years of age. Its so detailed and to the extend youd brought me into Finland while reading. Ticket price 20 for 1 hour or day ticket of 40. At first glance, the Kaklauttanen looks like it just step out of a sci-fi movie. A really popular activity amongst Finnish people in winter is ice fishing. Air France. Getting here - transport to and from Rovaniemi - Visit Rovaniemi Thanks for you help with this. For December it shows that you are looking at sunrise between 10am and 10.45 (depending on when in December), and sunset between 2.17pm and 2.50pm. What gives me the best chance to see the northern lights and also do all the wonderful winter activities. Lets experience Finnish Lapland through the sharing below. Personally, I would not recommend you booking aurora hunting tour, the aurora appears or not depends mainly on the weather, not on people. All scheduled flights are available at NyxAir (flynyx.com) Learn more in this article I wrote. How to get from Los Angeles to Lapland by plane, train or bus - Rome2rio The theme varies each year, with 2018-19 having a Game of Thrones focus. Thanks. Ive visited Rovaniemi in winter with and without a car on my two visits. Living + Nomads Travel tips, Guides, News & Information! Here you will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus, visit the post office where Santa works, send letters to people all over the world. Presuming you do only have a week in Finland and need to motor on, its time to head to your next destination on day 4 of your Finland itinerary. Despite having a good number of airports, they are small in size and cannot handle a large number of flights and, in many cases, the flights operated are local, so it is not possible to travel from abroad. Weve taken a few long distance buses in Finland and they have all been fine. In Finnish, a railway station is rautatieasema and a bus station is linja-autoasema. How to travel by train & ferry from London to Helsinki & Finland By using this service and related content, you agree to the use of cookies for analytics, personalised content and ads. Driving in Lapland Finland needs to be careful because the reindeer often roam on the roads. If you simply visit Rovaniemi, I think the most suitable means of transport is the public bus. The cost of a self-sufficient travel, I think it largely depends on each individual. This is the best spot to see the aurora borealis in the city. If possible, you should rent a hotel room with a sauna room, so that after every day of going out to explore the experience, when you return, you will be able to enjoy a body sauna for comfort and relief. Rovaniemi is situated in Finnish Lapland, right on the Arctic Circle. Great to hear Vilas! Never one for staying at home for too long, Ive been travelling for over 15 years! Address: Pohjoisranta 4, 96200 Rovaniemi, Finland It is okay to eat and drink in all forms of public transportation in Finland. Theres a huge amount to do in the city, which has a great many museums, restaurants, a historical sea fortress, and other attractions. From Rovaniemi and Kemijrvi, you can quite easily travel to Pyh, Luosto and Salla. This includes an average layover time of around 5h. Near the village of Santa Claus, there is an Artic Circle marking the arctic circle of the earth. Because the number of reindeers much more than residents living here. There are several ways to do this. We can also recommend checking out the options for Rovaniemi on Vrbo here. Hei Jody! Rovaniemi is the capital of Lapland which is considered the official hometown of Santa Claus. Please check your e-mail to confirm your sign up. The only thing to bear in mind is that there might not be snow everywhere in early November (this changes each year of course), so if you wanted snowy landscapes as well as the northern lights, its something to keep in mind. With forests, rivers, parks, the sea and a number of islands all easily accessible from Porvoo, theres loads of nature trails, not to mention kayaking opps, cycling possibilities and river cruises to enjoy in and around the town too. Its spectacular to view from the outside, but you can also go inside too of course. I have found it to be the most reliable app that doesnt drain my phone battery, but has always reliably alerted me to aurora activity. Meals: 12/meal. Your email address will not be published. You can buy your ticket online in advance or purchase it from the station itself. A great starting point is the Helsinki City Museum. Thank you so much for your prompt and satisfactory response. Its a kind of encyclopaedia for me. I hope to give you helpful detailed advice so that you feel comfortable planning your trip! This is probably an experience that requires extremely high patience for tourists. Hi Varpu, Isnt the stay experience in Dec boring and dull in absence of light? Its a popular place for a range of outdoor activities, including snowshoeing, hiking and skiing. Usually the forecast is only accurate within 1 week. It's easy to travel from London to Helsinki by train and ferry, a wonderful 2-day 3-night journey across Scandinavia with a lot to see on the way. Or is Finland a very safe place? And finally, on your last day in Finland, its time to wrap up your Lapland activities and sadly head home. Thankfully, seeing Santa can be done at his official home in Rovaniemi for free. I can't think of any special safety precautions you would need. Theres no shortage of choice when it comes to winter adventures, so Ill just provide some options and let you decide what you might enjoy the most. On the long-distance trains, you take care of all your luggage by yourself. Learn how your comment data is processed. However, the prices are not exorbitant. We have stayed at a number of accommodation options in Helsinki, including apartment rentals and hotels. As this is a new style of accommodation, the service and facility levels differ between resorts. So this itinerary can be done with or without a car. Traveling by bus allows you to see the gorgeous Finnish nature up and close. Susan. Expert Hacks for Affordable Adventures In your opinion what is the best time to go? This lets you walk without sinking in. Type date, your starting point (e.g., Helsinki) and end destination (e.g., Rovaniemi) and get a suggestion of connections. Here are our three suggested options for you to choose from, depending on your interests. The Lapland region, located in northern Finland, has a total of 6 airports spread across different cities in the territory: Rovaniemi, Ivalo, Kittil, Kemi, Kuusamo and Enonteki. This itinerary will of course also work perfectly well with a car. Lapland can definitely be considered a remote destination. This is one of the most popular places to stay in a glass igloo in Finland, and was where the concept of glass igloos first originated. For more inspiration, see our guide to things to do in Rovaniemi. Your email address will not be published. On one bus website I looked at showed a very high price compared to others or the train. Kittil airport serves Kittila/Levi, with flights from Helsinki and a number of destinations across Europe. It's about 76cm x 50cm x 33cm. How to Use and Book Trains and Buses in Finland - Her Finland How to get to Lapland from Helsinki or any other country. Both Finnair, British Airways and a host of other airlines arrive into HEL and you can get the best prices by checking Skyscanner. There are a range of accommodation options in Kittil. This covers a huge time period, from prehistoric times to the present day, and is an excellent way to learn a lot about the whole country. The resort has a wide range of accommodation options, depending on what you are interested in. So there is plenty of light. We keep our voice to the minimum and avoid unnecessary conversations. However as weve only visited southern Norway, we dont have any specific advice for you. If you are looking for the northern lights, then usually the further north you go the better your chances. When youre traveling yourself, your luggage is transported free of charge. Rovaniemi is the main city in the Finnish Lapland region and has the most important airport in the area, so you will likely end up opting for it if you travel by plane. Forget daily commutes. Also, I have noticed that sometimes the tickets are the cheapest there. You can refer at this progearmoto website. From Helsinki there are two airline companies, Finnair and Norwegian that operate between Helsinki and Rovaniemi. Once you have explored some of the highlights of Rovaniemi, you will likely want to have your evening meal. You should try this feeling :D. An indispensable experience when traveling to Finland. Bear Hill husky is our favourite husky operator in this region, and I actually took a two day husky safari with them. As an amusement park built in an underground cave with many recreational activities, especially suitable for families with young children. You absolutely could extend this trip to Northern Norway and that would make for a wonderful adventure. This route is known as the Santa Claus Express, and the journey takes around 12 hours. So useful and informative. As always, you have choices for where you decide to go! This is found 160km from Rovaniemi, so will take a couple of hours to drive to. Malaysia Airlines. Check out my list of the top 10 Helsinki Airbnbs if you want some self-catering accommodation, otherwise Hotel F6 or Hotel Helka are great choices in this city. Cambodia top beaches 15+ most beautiful & best beaches in, Phnom Penh itinerary 2 days How to spend & what, Pattaya nightlife guide 11+ best rooftop bars in Pattaya &, Bangkok Pattaya itinerary 3 days Suggested Thailand itinerary 3 days, Cormorant fishing Li river Exploring the art of cormorant fishing, Thailand travel tips 17+ what to know & things to, 4G SIM card Maldives How to get sim card in, Kyoto travel tips 12+ Kyoto insider tips & things to, What to eat in Penang? Id particularly recommend going hiking in the Korouoma National Park. For example this town Sastamala I have friend there and dont know what to expect as it is small town and there isnt as much information online. If you are interested in learning about Smi culture, you should drive 4 hours from Rovaniemi to Inari. You download the Aurora app to monitor the possibility of aurora in specific locations. Thought to be the oldest town in Finland, dating back to the Medieval times, its the painted traditional buildings which are most famous here. Unless you find an offer, this will be the most expensive alternative. The third way to travel to Rovaniemi is by long-distance bus. Lets take a look at our detailed day by day itinerary for visiting Finland in winter. With our detailed 1 week Finland itinerary weve got you covered. However, if you want to do this, you can check car rental prices on Rentalcars.com here. But, whats even cooler is that some cities have a travel center, matkakeskus, in Finnish. We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. When we visited Saariselka, we stayed in the Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort. Naturally, you can also ask! All of them offer several daily flights from Helsinki and other cities in Finland. Yep, as the name suggests, the Santa Claus village is actually home to Santa Claus himself. So if thats an option that would be my preference. Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above. But please ask Onnibus to be certain. We will be doing a lot of train travel. Just stand or slow down next to the seat you want and watch the pile of stuff on it. For a refresher and some different after all the sightseeing, why not head to one of Helsinkis main shopping streets, including Aleksanterinkatu, where you can visit the classic Finnish caf, Fazer, and enjoy an elegant coffee and lots of chocolate!