A road trip through the Arctic!
This incredible route takes you between Tromsø, the Paris of the North, to Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, where you will experience the beauty of Finnish Lapland, both the tundra and the small municipalities along the way.
Discover Norway (Tromsø) and Finland (Rovaniemi) by bus. This route will connect you to both destinations on a single day, stopping at several other interesting destinations in Laplad Finland such as the Levi Ski Resort, Kilpisjarvi and the Santa Claus Village. Check our “Highlights of this route” suggestions.
This is one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful bus routes, as you get to enjoy the unbelievable views of the two countries and be amazed by their beauty: from the Norwegian fjords, tundra landscapes to the snowy famous Finnish trees of Finland.
This journey is taken on new and comfortable coaches with free Wi-Fi (only between Tromsø and Kilpisjärvi), toilet, and experienced and service-oriented drivers fluent in English.
Read more about the route’s highlights below!
Important note: Between 21/12/2024 and 05/01/2025, there is a price increase of NOK 160 per person in place.
This incredible route takes you between Tromsø, the Paris of the North, to Rovaniemi, in Finnish Lapland, where you will experience the beauty of Finnish Lapland, both the tundra and the small municipalities along the way.
Discover Norway (Tromsø) and Finland (Rovaniemi) by bus. This route will connect you to both destinations on a single day, stopping at several other interesting destinations in Lapland Finland such as the Levi Ski Resort, Kilpisjärvi, the Santa Claus Village, or Hatteng (in Norway) – check our “Highlights on this route” suggestions.
This is one of Scandinavia’s most beautiful bus routes, as you get to enjoy the unbelievable views of the two countries and be amazed by their beauty: from the Norwegian fjords, tundra landscapes to the snowy famous Finnish trees of Finland.
This journey is taken on new and comfortable coaches with free Wi-Fi (only between Tromsø and Kilpisjärvi), toilet, and experienced and service-oriented drivers fluent in English. Read more about the route’s highlights below!
Important note: Between 21/12/2024 and 05/01/2025, there is a price increase of NOK 160 per person in place.
The Arctic Route uses our iconic red buses, with The Arctic Route logo on them and our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat uses yellow and red buses with their logo on it. Look for them.
You will change bus in Kilpisjärvi:
– If you are travelling from Tromsø: Look for the red Arctic Route buses.
– If you are in Rovaniemi: Look for the yellow and red buses of our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat.
The buses have free WI-FI available, USB and charging points, as well as English-speaking drivers and a toilet onboard.
Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate animals onboard (except guide
dogs).
Dress comfortably and according to the weather. Here are some tips to know what to wear in the winter above the Arctic Circle.
There is no food included on this route. You can bring food with you on the bus.
There is no age limit to take this route. We have children seats available, please get in touch with us to info@bestarctic.com so we arrange it for you.
Each passenger may bring one item of easy-to-manage hand baggage, which must fit under the seat or in the overhead rack, as well as an item no larger than height + length + width = 200 cm/23 kg.
We want to support you in getting your sports gear with you (for example skiing equipment) so you can maximize your holiday.
To ensure the bus has enough storage space, please send your request beforehand to info@bestarctic.com.
Download our unique and multilanguage Digital Story and Guiding app before you hop on the bus.
The app gives you:
• Detailed information about the bus stops (picture, Google Maps links)
• Information about activities to join
• Helpdesk Information
• Internet password and more information about the bus journey.
Available in: • English, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Japanese, Chinese.
Download it here.
The Arctic Route uses our iconic red buses, with The Arctic Route logo on them and our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat uses yellow and red buses with their logo on it. Look for them.
You will change bus in Kilpisjärvi:
– Direction Tromsø – Rovaniemi: From the red Arctic Route buses, to the yellow and red buses operated by our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat;
-Direction Rovaniemi – Tromsø: Change from the white and red buses of our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat to the red buses of the Arctic Route.
-In Tromsø, the bus leaves from ‘Bus Terminal Prosneset‘.
The Arctic Route buses (between Tromsø and Kilpisjärvi) have free WI-FI available, USB and charging points, as well as English-speaking drivers and a toilet onboard. A longer stop (30 minutes) happens in Karesuando (Finland), where you can buy food, coffee and stretch your legs.
Unfortunately, we can’t accommodate animals onboard (except guide
dogs).
Notice: Due to Arctic weather and road conditions driving times can be extended and arrivals can be delayed.
Dress comfortably and according to the weather. Here are some tips to know what to wear in the winter above the Arctic Circle.
Each passenger may bring one item of easy-to-manage hand baggage, which must fit under the seat or in the overhead rack, as well as an item no larger than height + length + width = 200 cm/23 kg.
We want to support you in getting your sports gear with you (for example skiing equipment) so you can maximize your holiday.
To ensure the bus has enough storage space, please send your request beforehand to info@bestarctic.com.
Download our unique and multilanguage Digital Story and Guiding app before you hop on the bus.
The app gives you:
• Detailed information about the bus stops (picture, Google Maps links)
• Information about activities to join
• Helpdesk Information
• Internet password and more information about the bus journey.
Available in: • English, Italian, French, Spanish, Dutch, German, Japanese, Chinese.
Download it here.
On this route, our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat operates the route between Kilpisjärvi (Finland) and Rovaniemi/Santa Claus Village (Finland). For the stops from Rovaniemi to Kilpisjärvi, please look out for this type of bus.
Please notice that in high season around New Year period, you could be standing on the bus, due to lack of available seats. The Finnish law allows an overbooking of 30% on the bus. If this occurs, Best Arctic will compensate you for the stretch where no seat was available for you. Send your refund claim to booking@bestarctic.com.
For the stops between Tromsø and Kilpisjärvi, please look out for this type of bus.
The bus switch is done in Kilpisjärvi, on the stop ‘K-Market’ at the gas station.
On this route, our partner Eskelisen Lapin Linjat operates the route between Kilpisjärvi (Finland) and Rovaniemi/Santa Claus Village (Finland). For the stops from Rovaniemi to Kilpisjärvi, please look out for this type of bus
For the stops from Tromsø to Kilpisjärvi, please look out for this type of bus:
The bus switch is done in Kilpisjärvi, on the stop ‘K-Market’ at the gas station.What to do along this route
NOK 2690 / pp
- 07:00 (am)
- 12 hours
- Kilpisjärvi
Snowmobile Safari in Finnish Lapland, from Tromsø
NOK 1790 / pp
- 11:00
- 4 hours
- Kilpisjärvi
Tour of Kilpisjärvi by Snowmobile
NOK 950 / pp
- 14:15
- 2 hours
- Kilpisjärvi
Snowshoeing near the Sacred mountain of Saana
NOK 1390 / pp
- 19:45
- 3 hours
- Kilpisjärvi
Northern Lights and the Magical Night Sky by Snowmobile
NOK 5500/pp
- 07:00 (am)
- 2 days
- Kilpisjärvi
At the gateway of Finnish Lapland
Tickets to travel between Tromsø and Rovaniemi
Timetable and price list
TROMSØ – ROVANIEMI
| Bus stop | Time | Timezone | Price |
| Tromsø | 7:00 | NO | 0 |
| Nordkjosbotn | 8:00 | NO | NOK 475 |
| Hatteng | 8:20 | NO | NOK 510 |
| Skibotn Circle K | 8:50 | NO | NOK 540 |
| Helliskogen (on demand) | 9:10 | NO | NOK 650 |
| Kilpisjärvi (K-Market) - you will change bus here Kilpisjärvi (Cahkal Hotel) | 10:50 | FIN - TIMEZONE CHANGE (UTC/GMT +2 HOURS) | NOK 700 |
| Kilpisjärvi (Arctic Land Adventure) | 11:10 | FIN | NOK 700 |
| Karesuando | 12:30 | FIN | NOK 1000 |
| Palojoensuu | 13:10 | FIN | NOK 1080 |
| Muonio | 14:00 | FIN | NOK 1.200 |
| Levi | 15:00 | FIN | NOK 1.340 |
| Kittilä Airport Kittilä Hotel | 15:15/17:20 | FIN | NOK 1.380 |
| Rovaniemi Bus Station/Train Station | 17:25 | FIN | NOK 1.830 |
| Santa Claus Village | 17:35 | FIN | NOK 1.930 |
ROVANIEMI – TROMSØ
| Bus stop | Time | Timezone | Price |
| Santa Claus Village | 11:00 | FIN | 0 |
| Rovaniemi Train Station Rovaniemi Bus Station | 11:20 / 11:40 | FIN | NOK 200 |
| Kittilä Hotel Kittilä Airport | 13:40 | FIN | NOK 650 |
| Levi | 14:00 | FIN | NOK 690 |
| Muonio | 15:05 | FIN | NOK 830 |
| Palojoensuu | 15:50 | FIN | NOK 950 |
| Karesuando | 16:30 | FIN | NOK 1030 |
| Kilpisjärvi (Arctic Land Adventure) | 17:30 | FIN | NOK 1.330 |
| Kilpisjärvi (at the main route at Cahkal Hotel) Kilpisjärvi (K-Market) - you will change bus here | 18:10 | FIN | NOK 1.330 |
| Helliskogen (on demand) | 17:30 | NO - TIMEZONE CHANGE (UTC/GMT +1 HOUR) | NOK 1.380 |
| Skibotn | 17:50 | NO | NOK 1.490 |
| Hatteng | 18:15 | NO | NOK 1.520 |
| Nordkjosbotn | 18:25 | NO | NOK 1.555 |
| Tromsø | 19:30 | NO | NOK 1.930 |
Unique features
Daily operated bus route from 1 December to 31 March
Fixed prices,
according to the
distance you travel
Daily operated bus routes from 1 December to 31 March
Fixed prices,
according to the
distance you travel
Hop-on &
hop-off
Connecting with
airports
See more of our adventures below
Accommodation along this route
All activities are accessible via the Arctic Route - no rental car is
needed. We offer, you choose.
All activities are accessible via the Arctic Route - no rental car is needed. We offer, you choose.
- Kilpisjärvi
- Check in: 14:00
Cahkal Hotel
The Cahkal Hotel offers modern and stylish rooms with breathtaking views of mountains. Their sauna provides a great opportunity to relax while enjoying the scenic beauty. The hotel has a limited number of rooms, making it an intimate and unique experience. The hotel also offers guided tours for an adventurous experience in the Arctic wilderness.
Other dreamy accommodation
Highlights on this route
Tromsø
Tromsø, known as the Arctic Capital, is nestled in Northern Norway, with unique attractions and serving as an excellent base for winter adventures. Dog sledding, the chance to experiencing the Sami culture and their reindeer, whale watching that provides the opportunity to see these majestic creatures up close, snowmobiling, the awe-inspiring spectacle of the Northern Lights are some of them.
Visitors can also take a cable car ride to Mount Storsteinen for panoramic views of the city.
Kilpisjärvi
Just across the border between Norway and Finland, you will find the little village of Kilpisjärvi. Here is where the change of bus occurs, between the red buses of Best Arctic / Bussring and the buses of Eskelinsen.
The landscape here is pretty flat, with a lot of pine trees along the way, making it the perfect scenario, movie like.
At Kilpisjärvi we recommend you a stay at the Cakhal Boutique Hotel, with stylish and trendy rooms and suites, including a 3 hour snowmobile in the area, a dining experience and access to an authentic Finnish sauna.
Levi Ski Resort
With 44 ski slopes, 26 ski lifts, 2053 saunas, a spa and over 25.000 beds, the Levi Ski Resort is the biggest ski resort in Finland. Its slopes are mostly suitable for beginners or intermediates, but there are also three black slopes for experts, with a skiing and snowboarding season long, often from October to mid-May.
After skiing, you can always rest, eat at the local restaurants, chill and relax at the Spa and go party on the local pubs and some nightclubs in the area, often open until 2 am or 4 am.
Kittila Airport
Rovaniemi
Located roughly 800 km North of Helsinki (almost 10 hours driving), and located 6 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, it hosts the Santa Claus Village, the official residence of Santa Claus, and is also a great place for tourism activities such as northern lights chases, snowmobile, dog-sledding or reindeer sledding.
Rovaniemi also offers great restaurants with a lot of options and very tasty food (we recommend Café and Bar 21 for delicious gluten-free salted waffles, Gustav Kitchen Bar or Monte Rosa, among many other great local home-made food).
Santa Claus Village
