Night train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki
The Santa Claus Express
You can travel from Rovaniemi in Lapland to Helsinki by night train in 12 hours. Tickets cost from 29 euros. Cities along the route are: Kemi, Oulu and Tampere. The train has seats and sleeper compartments. You can book these from 49 euros. The night train is particularly family-friendly: children up to the age of 11 travel free of charge in an adult's bed. You can also book a separate bed for your child and benefit from discounted train tickets. There are at least two night trains on this route each day. The train saves you one night in a hotel.
Timetable Rovaniemi-Helsinki
| VR266 | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Rovaniemi | 17:52 | |
| Muurola | 18:10 | 18:11 |
| Tervola | 18:43 | 18:44 |
| Kemi | 19:21 | 19:24 |
| Oulu | 20:24 | 20:55 |
| Kempele | 21:05 | 21:06 |
| Ruukki | 21:35 | 21:36 |
| Vihanti (Raahe) | 21:51 | 21:52 |
| Oulainen | 22:09 | 22:10 |
| Ylivieska | 22:28 | 22:31 |
| Kannus | 22:54 | 22:55 |
| Kokkola | 23:19 | 23:31 |
| Jakobstad-Pedersöre | 23:52 | 23:53 |
| Kauhava | 00:31 | 00:32 |
| Lapua | 00:42 | 00:43 |
| Seinäjoki | 00:58 | 01:15 |
| Parkano | 02:02 | 02:05 |
| Tampere | 02:50 | 03:45 |
| Toijala (Akaa) | 04:10 | 04:12 |
| Hämeenlinna | 04:36 | 04:38 |
| Riihimäki | 05:00 | 05:03 |
| Tikkurila | 05:39 | 05:41 |
| Pasila | 06:19 | 06:21 |
| Helsinki | 06:27 | |
| Status: April 2025 |
| VR274 | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Rovaniemi | 20:57 | |
| Kemi | 22:25 | 22:28 |
| Oulu | 23:49 | 23:53 |
| Ylivieska | 01:07 | 01:09 |
| Kokkola | 01:54 | 01:57 |
| Seinäjoki | 03:45 | 03:56 |
| Tampere | 05:35 | 06:08 |
| Toijaja (Akaa) | 06:33 | 06:42 |
| Hämeelinna | 07:06 | 07:08 |
| Riihimäki | 07:30 | 07:39 |
| Tikkurila | 08:29 | 08:31 |
| Pasila | 09:07 | 09:09 |
| Helsinki | 09:15 | |
| Status: April 2025 |
Information about the night train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki.
Categories
The following categories are available on this night train.
- 2nd class seat (open-plan compartment)
- Sleeping car 2-bed compartment with washbasin
- Sleeping car 2-bed compartment with private shower/WC
You always book an entire sleeper compartment. The price is per compartment, not per person. You therefore always travel privately in your sleeper compartment. There will be no other passengers in your compartment.
Travel time
Ticket prices Helsinki-Rovaniemi
| Category | Price |
|---|---|
| 2nd class seat (open-plan compartment) | from EUR 29 |
| Sleeping car: 2 beds, privately without fellow travellers, with washbasin | from EUR 49 |
| Sleeping car: 2 beds, privately without fellow travellers, with private shower and WC | from EUR 74 |
The ticket price depends on your Travel date and Purchase date. The sooner you book, the higher the likelihood of a Cheap train ticket to receive. If you choose Departure day Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday are fewer travellers on the train, which also results in a cheaper ticket price leads.
Where to buy a ticket?
You can buy your ticket on the official website of the Finnish railway VR Buy
Children
Up to 11 yearsChildren up to the age of 11 travel free of charge if they share a bed with an adult. If they need their own berth, they will receive a discounted ticket (40%).
Ideally it is a Sleeping car compartment with two beds to book. These are even available with their own shower and WC. These compartments are always private and are not shared with strangers. It is even possible to connect two compartments with a connecting door to form one large compartment.
Private compartment and families
Would you like to go out with your family or friends alone in a compartment travel, without other travellersyou can book your own sleeper compartment. These always have two beds, but are always private. There will never be anyone else in your compartment.
Own compartment in sleeping car from 49 euros
Buy a ticket from Rovaniemi to Helsinki
Buy fast, secure and simply your night train ticket on the official website of the Finnish railway.
Groups
Larger groups (e.g. school classes) receive a special offer. Please contact the customer service of Finnish Railways VR.
Dog and animals
Your dog or cat can travel with you for 8 euros. However, you must book a sleeper compartment that is authorised for animals.
Bicycle
You can easily add the ticket for your bike on the booking page of the Finnish railway. A Bicycle ticket costs 4 euros. There is a special area to park your bike. You cannot take it into your share!
Car and motorbike
You can take your car (from 39 euros) or your motorbike (from 29 euros) on the "Santa Claus Express" from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The loading station in Helsinki is called "Pasila". You can find more information by clicking on the button below. You can also buy your special train ticket there.
Daytime train connection from Rovaniemi to Helsinki
You can also drive the route from Rovaniemi to Helsinki during the day. The The journey takes eight hours. You can buy train tickets from 20 EUR Buy
| InterCity24 | Arrival | Departure |
|---|---|---|
| Rovaniemi | 09:22 | |
| Muurola | 09:39 | 09:40 |
| Tervola | 10:08 | 10:11 |
| Kemi | 10:38 | 10:40 |
| Oulu | 11:40 | 11:55 |
| Ylivieska | 12:57 | 12:59 |
| Kokkola | 13:35 | 13:38 |
| Seinäjoki | 14:34 | 14:38 |
| Tampere | 15:51 | 16:00 |
| Tikkurila | 17:19 | 17:20 |
| Pasila | 17:28 | 17:29 |
| Helsinki | 17:35 | |
| Status: April 2025 |
Night train Helsinki to Rovaniemi
Travel report: Night train, wintry Lapland, tourists and Father Christmas
Night train Rovaniemi to Turku harbour
Travelogue: on the way to a ferry, with a dining car and strange observations
FAQ
Where can I book the "Santa Claus Express" from Rovaniemi to Helsinki?
You can buy your ticket for the night train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki on the official website of Finnish Railways VR.
What does a couchette coach on the "Santa Claus Express" from Rovaniemi to Helsinki look like?
There are no couchette cars on the "Santa Claus Express" night train. Only seating carriages and very inexpensive sleeping carriages (from 49 EUR).
What does a sleeping car on the "Sanata Claus Express" from Rovaniemi to Helsinki look like?
A sleeping car is a compartment with a maximum of two beds. There are compartments with their own washbasin from 49 euros. The toilet is in the corridor.
And sleeper compartments with private shower and WC, from 74 euros.
The compartments are always private, which means that there is never a stranger travelling with you in the compartment. The price is per compartment and not per person.
How much does the "Santa Claus Express" from Rovaniemi to Helsinki cost?
You can buy seat tickets from 29 EUR. A bed in the sleeping car costs from 49 EUR (with washbasin), from 74 EUR (with shower and WC). These prices are per compartment and not per person - and therefore very good value! The prices depend on your travel dates and how far in advance you book.
Which is cheaper: Fly or train from Rovaniemi to Helsinki?
On average, the train is cheaper. When making an honest calculation, also take into account the departure to and from the airport to the city centre. You need one hotel night less when travelling by night train. What's more, the damage you do to the environment by flying is priceless.
Flight from Rovaniemi to Helsinki
Of course, you can also cover the distance from Rovaniemi to Helsinki by plane. The flight takes about 1:30 hours. In addition, there is the walk from Rovaniemi city centre to the airport (which is very close to Santa Claus Village). The same applies to Helsinki, from the airport back to the city centre. Be there on time, check in etc.
That is of course not sustainableto take a quick flight on a subsidised plane. Everyone has to decide for themselves where they want to start doing something for planet Earth. And on this route, from Rovaniemi to Helsinki, it's quite simple.
With the night train you save on transfers and waiting times. In addition one night in a hotelwhich is not always cheap in either city. It is simply A relaxed way of travelling. Definitely more relaxed and communicative than in a cramped aeroplane.
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