Travel to Lapland by Train – The Santa Claus Express!
Experience the magic of the Arctic summer with an unforgettable journey aboard the Santa Claus Express by VR. Travel overnight to Rovaniemi and enjoy the freedom to create your perfect holiday for two — from handpicked accommodation and local dining to unique summer activities under the midnight sun. Discover Lapland at your own pace, with long summer days giving you more time to explore nature, experience local culture, enjoy Arctic flavours and make the most of every moment. The Santa Claus Express makes the journey part of the experience, offering a comfortable and more sustainable way to travel north.
Santa Claus Express – Iconic Train Connection from Helsinki and Turku to Rovaniemi
Travel to Lapland by Train is a memorable experience by itself. This year-round VR train takes you sustainably to Rovaniemi – The Official Hometown of Santa Claus®. Travel in comfort aboard the double-decker night train, affectionately known as Santa Claus Express. Multiple daily departures allow you to choose the best time for your trip. Whether you prefer a cozy sleeper cabin or a seat with a view, the train accommodates your needs.
Train Journey Through Finland
Step aboard the Santa Claus Express and let your northern holiday begin the moment the train departs. As the train glides from the lively cities of southern Finland toward the peaceful wilderness of Lapland, you’ll witness a breathtaking cross-section of the country—from summer’s deep green forests and shimmering lakes to the warm golden tones of early autumn.
Travel to Lapland by Train – Your Adventure Starts Already on Board!
Modern Comforts
Aboard VR, enjoy delicious meals from the restaurant car menu, relax by your cabin window watching the summery scenery pass, and wake up refreshed in the morning with breakfast served right to your cabin. The Santa Claus Express is equipped with all the amenities to make your journey smooth and enjoyable. Stay connected with Wi-Fi, charge your devices with cabin power sockets, and if you like, select a private cabin with your own shower and toilet.
Towards The Midnight Sun
In summer, the sun barely sets—the magical Midnight Sun bathes the landscape in a soft, glowing light even through the night, turning your journey into a dreamlike experience. Travel to Lapland by train is more than just travel—it’s an unforgettable part of your Arctic adventure. Settle into your cozy cabin, enjoy locally inspired dishes in the dining car, and watch Finland’s endless nature unfold outside your window. The Santa Claus Express is not just a way to reach Lapland—it’s where the adventure truly begins.
In Rovaniemi, summer invites families to paddle on shimmering rivers, hike sunlit trails, and meet reindeer under the Midnight Sun. As autumn arrives, nature turns golden, perfect for berry picking, cozy campfires, and watching the northern lights dance across the evening sky—every season an adventure to share together.”
Happy Days full of activities!
Taste of Lapland
One of the best summer activities in Lapland shows you awesome hidden places of untouched wild nature.
Private Traditional Lakeside Sauna with Midnight Sun & Bbq
For your authentic Finnish experience, sit back in the lakeside private traditional Finnish sauna with the mild steam warming you up.
Live the Life of a Reindeer Herder – Half-Day in the Arctic
Join a real reindeer herder’s day — small groups, book early.
Lapland Berry Day Experience
Unique nature in Lapland prepares an amazing summer tour for you! In northern and eastern Finland you can find the largest quantities of berries.
Delightful Quadbike Ride around the Arctic Circle & Bbq
Join us if you want to drive an ATV (Quad Bike) from a lakeside and through the mystical Arctic forest!
Overnight Bear Safari – Kuusamo & Oulanka rapids – Small Group Tour
Take an opportunity to seek for the bears in their habitat. These lovely ones have excellent senses of smell, sight, and hearing.
Vikaköngäs Hiking Tour with Bbq
The Vikaköngäs Hiking Area, located at the southern end of Vikajärvi village, offers trails suitable for both beginners and experienced hikers. Enjoy scenic landscapes, and end your adventure with a relaxing BBQ in the heart of Lapland.
Accommodation options for Your Journey!
Hostel Café Koti
Hostel Café Koti is located in the heart of Rovaniemi. The building was originally a bank and the old feeling is kept in renovation but spiced it up with modern and cosy touch.
Arctic Light Hotel
The Arctic Light Hotel is a multi-award winning, family-owned boutique hotel situated in the heart of Lapland-Rovaniemi.
Santa Claus Holiday Village
From a classic rooms to families suites build in Lapish cottage style for sure you can find room which will suites your needs.
Santasport Apartment Hotel
Have a nice stay at Santasport Apartment Hotel! All our rooms have a cosy interior with good amenities for your stay!
Halo Igloos Resort Rovaniemi – Aurora Borealis Hotel
Halo Igloos invites you to experience Lapland in its purest form. Far from the glow of city lights yet only minutes from the Arctic Circle and Santa Claus Village, our brand-new resort offers the perfect balance of privacy, comfort, and connection to nature.
Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus
Santa’s Hotel Santa Claus is a high-quality hotel and it’s located in the center of Rovaniemi at the Lordi’s Square and along the promenade.
Aino Private Island Hotel
Aino Private Island Hotel is an exclusive adults-only retreat just outside Rovaniemi, hidden in plain sight on a private island in the Kemijoki river.
Apukka Resort Rovaniemi – Glass Igloo Hotel
Apukka Resort is a wilderness holiday village in the embrace of two lakes, only a 10-minute drive from Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi International Airport, yet the middle of unspoiled nature.
Nova Skyland Hotel
Nestled in the serene nature of Lapland, Nova Skyland hotel offers a unique experience in high-quality lodgings with friendly and attentive service.
Arctic City Hotel
Arctic City Hotel is a modern, family-owned hotel set in the very centre of the town of Rovaniemi. The warm and personal service as well as delicious cuisine create a cozy base for business and pleasure.
Villa Virpi
Villa Virpi was built in the mid-1900s. This wooden house is located in nearby Rovaniemi center.
Transportation on Your Arctic Adventure!
Hertz car rental
Hertz provides a diverse and reliable range of vehicles to meet any travel requirement. You can find us in Rovaniemi at the airport, downtown and at the railway station.
Menevä Taxi Service Rovaniemi Area
You can find MENEVÄ taxis at the airport exit as well as in the city center.
24Rent – Car Rental 24/7
Finland’s largest car-sharing service, where you can rent a car 24/7 using your own phone.
Getting around
Rovaniemi is a town with short distances. The centre is easily explored on foot, and many transport options are available for reaching the surroundings. Find out more here.
Restaurant Options in Rovaniemi
Amarillo Rovaniemi
Eating together and a good atmosphere are close to Amarillo’s heart, as many of the dishes on the menu are meant for sharing.
Glass igloos – Private Dining in Three Elves Restaurant
If you are looking for a unique place to enjoy an unforgettable meal with your friends, come and enjoy the dinner in our glass igloo.
Piparina Restaurant
Enjoy summer and the flavours of Lapland at Piparina’s Summer restaurant
Lunch at Piparina’s Summer Restaurant in Santa Claus Village
Enjoy summer and the flavours of Lapland at Piparina’s Summer restaurant
Three Elves Restaurant
Three Elves Restaurant offers Lappish cuisine every day of the year. It is situated right at the Arctic Circle, in Santa Claus Village.
Cafe Ensilumi
Café Ensilumi is a warm, peaceful, cozy and spacious café located next to the reception of Snowman World, right next to Santa Claus Village’ Main Square.
Loft Cafe
Daily fresh coffee, cake and brunch in cozy and friendly atmosphere.
Frans&Chérie Rovaniemi
This happy French bistro welcomes you to the pulsating heart of Rovaniemi, the restaurant at the base of Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna Rovaniemi.
Rosso Rovaniemi
Rosso is a well-known Italian classic, which has offered relaxing moments to Finns for five decades.
Ranch Kuulas restaurant Loimu
Set in a beautifully restored historic log building, Ranch Kuulas Restaurant “Loimu” is a charming and intimate dining retreat nestled amid the serene wilderness just 35 minutes from Rovaniemi.
Restaurant Monte Rosa
Come and try out the fine local flavors spiced up with an international touch in Monte Rosa restaurant in Rovaniemi, Lapland.
Rakas Restaurant & Bar
Rakas Restaurant & Bar charms with its unique ambiance and menu of meals made from local ingredients prepared with a modern twist.
Activities, Attractions & Shopping
Arctic Adventure Park Huima
Experience a great adventure at Arctic Adventure Park Huima and see the Lappish nature from totally different angle – from the tree tops of Ounasvaara!
Sauna raft Erkin Arkki
Sauna raft m/s Erkin Arkki cruises the scenic rivers Ounasjoki and Kemijoki from June to October.
Mainoa Craft & Design
Shopping in Rovaniemi Mainoa Craft & Design
Santa Claus’ Main Post Office
Santa Claus’ Main Post Office is the only official post office of Santa Claus. Here you can feel the Christmas spirit every day of the year and be served by the merry post office elves in several languages!
Santa Claus Holiday Village
Santa Claus Holiday Village right on the Arctic Circle in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland, offers everything you could want for your dream holiday: high-quality accommodation, a wide range of activities, fantastic food and drinks, shopping, the chance to meet Santa Claus and much more!
Guided Amethyst Mine visit at Luosto in summer
Lampivaara Amethyst Mine, located in Pyhä-Luosto national park, is a fascinating travel destination all year round. The amethyst of Lampivaara fell was born 2 000 million years ago in the bowels of the ancient mountains. There is now a gem mine on the top of the hill that will sustain for the hundreds of years. Visitors are welcome!
Santasport pool area
Santasport pool area is ideal for competitive swimmers, aquatics, swim schools, and recreational swimming.
Baba Husky
We have created a husky safari experience that reflects who we are: adventurous, cozy, and deeply family-friendly.
Popular Sights & Attractions in Rovaniemi
Arctic Circle Hiking Area
Spectacular rapids and aapa mires close to Rovaniemi – Enjoy Lapland in the Arctic Circle Hiking Area at half an hour’s distance from Rovaniemi!
Arctic Garden
The seven-hectare Arctic Garden is one of the most beautiful parks in Rovaniemi.
Santa Claus Village – Rovaniemi, Arctic Circle, Lapland, Finland
You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi.
Angry Birds Activity Park
Children of all ages, and children at heart, can come and enjoy the fun, inspired by Angry Bird figures. The open-air playground is located within walking distance from the city centre.
King’s Lean-to
King’s lean-to is a famous and extremely beautiful day hike destination in Rovaniemi, Lapland, Finland. The lean-to is reachable both in winter and in summer.
Local Heritage Museum
Local Heritage Museum illustrates life in the house and outbuildings of a wealthy farmer over 150 years ago.
Koivusaari Nature Trail
Photogenic Koivusaari Nature Trail is a popular day hike destination nearby Rovaniemi city in Lapland, Finland.
Auttiköngäs
Auttiköngäs is one of Finland’s most magnificent waterfalls in peaceful Taiga forest an hour from Rovaniemi.
Forestry Museum of Lapland
Forestry Museum of Lapland is one of a kind; there is no museum like ours anywhere else in Finland. During one museum tour you can get a wide perspective of how people worked and lived in forests here in Lapland during 1870’s until 1950’s.
German Soldiers’ Cemetery
German Soldiers’ Cemetery was blessed on 31 August 1963. Its mausoleum contains the remains of over 2,500 German soldiers who fell during the Second World War.
Rovaniemi Aalto Centre
Lappia Hall, City Library of Rovaniemi and Rovaniemi Town Hall – the most famous of architect Alvar Aalto’s works in Lapland.
Ounasvaara Nature Trail
The Ounasvaara Nature Trail is 2.9 km east of the city centre of Rovaniemi. It is an ideal day-trip destination because of its easy accessibility.