How to get here

Reaching the northernmost part of Finnish Lapland is easier than you might expect. Whether you fly directly to Ivalo Airport, arrive by train and bus from the south, or travel across the border from Norway, the journey brings you straight into the heart of Arctic wilderness. Here, wide-open landscapes, calm roads, and seamless connections make travelling comfortable in every season.

Finnairin matkustajakone lennossa pilvien yläpuolella kirkkaalla sinisellä taivaalla.

Arriving by air

Ivalo Airport is the northernmost airport in Finland and the most convenient arrival point for Saariselkä, Ivalo, Inari, and the surrounding region. The airport offers year-round flights from Helsinki and seasonal direct flights from several European cities during the winter.

Distances from Ivalo Airport:

Saariselkä: 25 min
Ivalo village: 10 min
Inari village: 50 min
Kiilopää: 30 min
Kakslauttanen: 30 min
Utsjoki: 2 h

Tilava lentoaseman terminaali, jossa on kirkas, pyöreä, oranssin ja keltaisen värinen lattiakuvio, hajallaan olevia istuinalueita, käveleviä ihmisiä, suuria ikkunoita, lähtöselvitystiskit ja seinämaalausta, jossa on maisemallinen maisema.

Ivalo Airport

The airport is small, modern, and easy to navigate. Services include cafés, car rental desks, airport taxis, and pre-booked transfers. Winter brings additional seasonal services, such as frequent airport buses connecting to Saariselkä, Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen, and other accommodation areas.

Starting your adventure is effortless—step outside the terminal and you are already surrounded by Arctic wilderness.

Flight connections during winter season 2025/2026

Airport Transfers

Luminen maisema aamunkoitteessa, jossa talot ovat lumen peitossa, metsän yllä on sumua, kaukana hehkuvat valot ja savu nousee taustalle värikkään, vaaleanpunaisen-oranssin taivaan alla.

Airport Bus (seasonal)

Operates mainly during winter from every Finnair flight.
Runs between Ivalo Airport, Saariselkä, Kiilopää, Kakslauttanen and key accommodation areas.
Tickets available online or from the driver (depending on provider).

Pre-booked Transfers

Door-to-door service for individuals and groups. Offered usually by your acoommodation operator.
Recommended for late-night arrivals or remote destinations.

Lumen peittämä tie ulottuu kauas dramaattisen auringonnousutaivaan alle, joka hehkuu elinvoimaisen vaaleanpunaisen, oranssin ja violetin sävyissä laajassa, lumisessa maisemassa, jossa on vain muutamia paljaita puita.

Airport Taxi

Available flexibly according to flight schedules.
Ideal for quick transfers to Ivalo village or nearby accommodation for example in Saariselkä.

Car Rentals

Several rental companies operate directly at the terminal.
A good choice for independent travel and exploring multiple destinations within the region.

Poro, jolla on suuret sarvet, makaa lumessa ja katsoo kohti kameraa. Sen turkki on ruskeaa ja valkoista, ja taustalla on pehmeästi sumeaa lunta ja puita.

Arriving by Train

Yöllinen luminen kylä mäntyjen ja kukkuloiden ympäröimänä. Lämpimät valot loistavat rakennuksissa ja kaduilla, kun taas taustalla olevat laskettelurinteet ovat valaistuja ja muodostavat kontrastin lumen peittämän maiseman kylmän sinisiin sävyihin.

Closest Train Stations

There is no direct railway connection to Lapland North, but the journey is easily completed with a train–bus combination.

Rovaniemi (most common arrival point)
Kemijärvi
Kolari

From each station, long-distance buses continue north to Ivalo, Saariselkä, Inari, and Utsjoki.

Train + Bus Connection

Trains from southern Finland arrive multiple times per day.
Bus connections from Rovaniemi operate daily and match many train arrivals.
Travel time from Rovaniemi to Saariselkä is approx. 3 hours.
Travel time to Inari is approx. 4 hours.

This connection is a popular and environmentally friendly way to reach the region

Arriving by Bus

Luminen maisema, jossa mutkitteleva tie leikkaa lumen peittämiä kukkuloita ja puita, kaukana ajava ajoneuvo ja taustalla metsäisiä kukkuloita peittävä sumu tai sumu.

Direct Bus Routes

Long-distance buses provide a reliable option for travellers coming from southern and central Finland.

Overnight buses run year-round from cities such as Helsinki, Tampere, Jyväskylä, and Oulu.
Buses stop at major destinations along Highway E75, including Sodankylä, Saariselkä, Ivalo, and Inari.

Regional Bus Connections

Local buses operate between the villages of Lapland North.
Book a bus connection to Kirkenes region starting from Kiilopää northwards here
- Plan your route here
Routes and schedules vary by season.
Provides sustainable access to hiking areas, services, and cultural attractions.

Arriving by Car

Main roads

Driving to Lapland North is a rewarding way to experience the landscape at your own pace.

E75: The primary north–south route via Rovaniemi → Sodankylä → Saariselkä → Ivalo → Inari → Utsjoki.
Road 4 / Road 91: Connections toward Norway (Kirkenes).
E8: Western Lapland and coastal Norway route connections.

Seasonal Driving Tips

Winter tyres are mandatory during the winter season.
Road maintenance is excellent, but weather can change rapidly.
Reindeer and wildlife may appear on the roads year-round—drive with caution.

Luminen kaupunki iltahämärässä, talot ja puut lumen peitossa; lämpimät katuvalot ja rakennusten valot loistavat lumen peittämillä teillä ja luovat rauhallisen talvikuvan.

Mutkitteleva joki virtaa kumpuilevien kukkuloiden välissä, joita peittää elinvoimainen syyslehtivihreä, kultaisia ja oransseja puita osittain pilvisen taivaan alla. Kapea tie kulkee joen oikealla puolella.

Example Driving Distances

Rovaniemi → Saariselkä: 260 km
Rovaniemi → Inari: 320 km
Kirkenes (Norway) → Inari: 120 km
Tromsø (Norway) → Saariselkä: 480 km
Helsinki → Saariselkä: 1,100 km

Arriving from Norway

By Air with Finnair connection

Lapland North is easily reached from northern Norway, making it an ideal multi-country Arctic route. You can easily reach Ivalo Airport with a five time weekly connection from Kirkenes from March till October.

Book your flight to Ivalo from Kirkenes