How to Easily Get From Tromsø to Rovaniemi (4 Easy Options!)

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Post overview: This guide will detail the ways you can get from Tromsø to Rovaniemi (in Finland). It will cover options by plane, bus, rental car, and a private transfer. If you’re looking for how to easily get from Tromsø to Rovaniemi, keep reading!

For many people, traveling to the Arctic is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and they plan to visit multiple towns and see different aspects of the most beautiful region in Europe. The most popular combination is Tromsø and Rovaniemi in Finland.

This allows travelers to combine the dramatic fjords, whales, and old-school charms of Tromsø with the frozen forests and Christmassy vibes of Rovaniemi. 

However, finding ways to travel from Tromsø to Rovaniemi can often leave travelers scratching their heads. Europe is famed for its great transportation options, and in general, traveling around the continent is seamless, with the Schengen area making cross-border travel frictionless.

However, as you edge up towards the northern reaches of the continent, public transportation starts to become less regular, and during winter the roads require a high level of confidence to drive.

Thankfully, there are multiple options available to travel to Rovaniemi from Tromsø. This guide will take you through every option available, and my personal thoughts on each option. If you have any additional questions about how to get from Tromsø to Rovaniemi, please drop them in the comments or send us a message. Thanks!

How to Get from Tromsø to Rovaniemi (Overview)

In this guide, I cover four (somewhat simple but not always affordable) ways to get from Tromsø to Rovaniemi.

Here are the ways I cover in this guide:

1. Flying from Tromsø to Rovaniemi
2. Taking the Best Arctic bus (there are two routes broken down)
3. Driving with a rental car
4. Booking a private transfer to Rovaniemi from Tromsø

If there is another way you’d like to inquire about, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message, and we can look into it. There is no rail service between Rovaniemi and Tromsø.

How to Get from Tromsø to Rovaniemi (Details)

1. Flying to Rovaniemi (RVN) from Tromsø (TOS)

There are almost daily flights between Tromsø and Rovaniemi, and this is by far the quickest way to travel between the two cities. The direct flight takes an hour and 15 minutes, although you will also need to factor in time at the airport, as well as getting to the Tromsø Airport.

The flight is actually to Helsinki, but it stops in Rovaniemi to drop off and pick up passengers along the way. Booking flights early is essential, as the prices can get relatively steep, especially as you go into December. The downside of flying is the cost of baggage, which can add up when purchasing the economy superlight tickets.

Thankfully, winter clothes can easily be rented in the two cities, so you do not need to overload yourself with bulky luggage.

Personally, if not driving myself to Tromsø, I would opt to take the flight, as it is so much easier, and when booking far in advance you can get a one-way flight for €175 (around $200) or less with baggage included. Click here to check flight prices with Expedia.

2. Taking the Bus from Tromsø to Rovaniemi

There are two bus services that run daily between Tromsø and Rovaniemi from the end of November until the end of March. You can opt for either a day bus or a night bus; both are operated by Best Arctic.

Day Bus to Rovaniemi

The day bus leaves Tromsø at 7 am and arrives in Rovaniemi around 5 pm, depending on the weather. This journey is actually split into two, with the first part being between Tromsø and Kilpisjärvi in Finland.

From Kilpisjärvi, you will then transfer onto a bus provided by their local partner. In my personal opinion, the drive between Tromsø and Rovaniemi is one of the most beautiful routes, as you will go from the fjords, up through the Lyngen Alps, down into Finland, where the boreal forest starts to take hold.

The bus journey itself is fairly basic after switching to the partner bus service, where there is no WiFi onboard. The prices for the route are fixed and dependent on where you get on and off the bus.

From Tromsø to Rovaniemi city center, it costs 1790 NOK (about $179), while to Santa Claus Village it is 1890 NOK (about $189) one way. During the weeks around Christmas, this increases to 1890 NOK ($189) and 1990 NOK ($199), respectively.

The one downside of this bus is that you cannot book seats on the bus, and they are first come, first served. It is also important to note that during the prime season, there is a chance that, for sections between Kilpisjärvi and Rovaniemi, there are no seats available and you will have to stand; if this is the case, Best Arctic will provide you with a partial refund. Click here to check bus prices with Best Arctic.

Overnight Bus to Rovaniemi

The night bus is a great option for those looking to maximize their time during the trip. Following the famous Northern Lights Route, the bus departs Tromsø at 8.50 pm daily between the 7th of December and the 31st of March, and takes around 11 hours.

The best thing about this bus is that it travels through the night, meaning you don’t need to pay for accommodation that night. Additionally, as you follow the Northern Lights Route north, if there are clear skies and auroral activity, the bus will stop for you to view the show above.

Each passenger on the bus receives a blanket, earplugs, an eye mask, a snack box upon boarding, and a breakfast buffet in the morning.

The price for the bus is around 3500 NOK ($350), which I personally find to be a little expensive, but it does cover travel, accommodation, aurora chances, and breakfast within that price.

Seats, though, are not reservable and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis, so I would get there early if you want to sit together with your travel partners. Click here to check prices and availability for the northern lights bus to Rovaniemi.

3. Driving to Rovaniemi

I personally opt to drive between the two as I have my own car. The drive without stops takes between 8 and 10 hours and is about 605 km (376 miles). The drive is scenic, and the road is generally well maintained (sometimes better on the Norwegian side than the Finnish side, though). This is why I think renting a car in Tromsø may be a good option (depending on a few things).

The benefit of driving yourself with a rental car is that you can opt to make stops wherever you want along the way and check out some of the small villages and towns along the way.

As I tend to not be in a rush when I do this drive, I will occasionally opt to stay overnight around Levi and break up the drive a bit, especially in winter when you have to drive in the dark a lot.

During the summer months, however, it is a nice drive to make as the sun doesn’t set, and you will always see plenty of reindeer!

If you plan to rent a car and drop it off in a different country, you will need to check the policies of the rental agency you book with, and extra fees can occur. Click here to check rental car rates and availability in Tromsø.

4. Getting to Rovaniemi from Tromsø with a Private Transfer

If you are traveling in a larger group, it could end up being more cost-effective to hire a private car with a driver.

Prices start at around €1600 (about $1840) per group of up to eight people. While this price seems expensive, if you are able to fill the car, it works out at nearly the same price as the bus or slightly cheaper.

The added benefit of the private hire car is that you can choose a time to suit your travel needs to depart Tromsø.

I personally think this is also a more comfortable option for larger groups, as you will only be in proximity to your group members and you will not need to rush on to a bus to ensure you are seated next to each other. Click here to check prices for a private transfer to Rovaniemi from Tromsø.

FAQ about Getting to Rovaniemi from Tromsø

Is there a train between Rovaniemi and Tromsø?

No. Unfortunately, there is no train between the two cities, nor is there a partial service between the two cities.

Is there border control between Finland and Norway?

Not normally. While Norway is not an EU country, they are part of the Schengen area, and this allows free movement between the two countries. There are occasional customs checks on the border, and it is always recommended to have your travel documentation on you while traveling between the two countries.

Can I rent winter clothes in Tromsø and drop them off in Rovaniemi?

Yes! Winterent offers the opportunity to rent winter clothes in Tromsø and drop them off at their office in Rovaniemi. This service costs an extra 40 euros (a flat fee for the entire booking, not per clothing set).

Do you have any questions about getting from Tromsø to Rovaniemi? Let us know in the comments (or send us a message). Thanks!