The line from the south to Kemijarvi and Rovaniemi is a passenger railway line in Finland. It has regular daytime and overnight trains from Helsinki, Turku, and Oulu.
Journey comfortably to the Arctic Circle and Finnish winter wonderland on a double-decker sleeper train like this one. Enjoy a meal onboard or relax in your private cabin while gazing at the Northern Lights.
Arrive at Kemijarvi Station
If you’re traveling from Helsinki to Kemijarvi, you can get there by train or air. The fastest option is to fly in on Finnair’s daily flights from Helsinki, which take just one hour.
Once you arrive at Kemijarvi, you can explore the area’s natural beauty and local culture. Some of the top attractions include Suomutunturi Ski Resort, which is perfect for beginner-friendly skiing and snowboarding, and Luirojarvi Wilderness Area, which is home to a range of wildlife, including bears and reindeer.
Other popular activities in the area include hiking and viewing the Northern Lights. Be sure to try the region’s traditional food, including salmiakki, a salty liquorice candy. You can buy it at local markets and specialty stores. The town also has several restaurants serving traditional Finnish cuisine. There are plenty of options for accommodation in the area, including hotels, private cabins, and holiday & ski resorts. Many of these resorts also provide transportation to and from the airport.
Arrive at Rovaniemi Station
The Rovaniemi train station opened in 1909. It is operated by VR Group. It has direct daytime and overnight trains from Oulu, Tampere, Helsinki and Turku. It also has one overnight passenger service north to Kemijarvi. These are modern two-storey trains with 2-person cabins (shared or en-suite).
You can also get to Rovaniemi from the airport by bus. Pikakuljetus Rovaniemi Oy operates buses to the airport, hotels, Santa Park and holiday & ski resorts around Lapland.
A well-functioning rail network is a vital part of fighting against climate change, as it allows people to replace short-haul flights. It also helps reduce car traffic and the impact on reindeer herding and Sami areas. Plans are in place to expand the network to include popular fell destinations, such as Yllas and Levi. It will eventually reach as far north as Kolari and even beyond the Arctic Circle. You can find out more about the latest developments at the Finnish railway website.
Arrive at Kuusamo Station
There are several ways to get to Kuusamo. You can rent a car from the airport or travel by busses or train from Rovaniemi or Helsinki. If you drive, take the E4 (national road 4) or the E8 for a short leg to Tornio and then the E75. If you choose to fly, there are many flights available from Finland and abroad, including charter flights in season.
You can also travel to Kemijarvi and Ruka by overnight train from southern Finland. The trains are modern two-story sleeper cars with 2-person cabins. They can accommodate families with children and a wheelchair user.
There are also coach lines towards Oulu for the south, Kajaani and the Kemijarvi border crossing (“raja-asema”) for the east, Rovaniemi and Salla for the north and Kostamo for the west. Timetables are available at Matkahuolto’s website. You can also use the dial-a-ride service for rides within Kuusamo. Ordering a ride is easy, fast and convenient from your smartphone.
Arrive at Salla Station
With its vast expanse of unspoiled nature, Lake Kemijarvi is the type of lake that makes Finns dream about summers spent on SUP boards, ice cream cones in hand and the Midnight Sun reflecting off its deep waters. With a population of just under 4,000, it’s easy to get away from it all here and take in the scenery.
The closest airport is Kuusamo or Rovaniemi, from both of which you can catch an airport bus to Salla. If you’re flying from Helsinki, you can also catch a train all the way to Kemijarvi via Turku – the service operates on platform 17 (on the opposite side of the railway yard), so keep an eye out for this!
If you prefer to travel by bus, Jbus Oy and Mollarin Linjat operate services between the airport and Kemijarven linja-autoasema, with fares costing between $11 – $17 for a one-way journey. You can find schedules for these buses on Matkahuolto.
