The cross-border route that connects Norway to Finland!
BOOK NOWThis 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!
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‘.
From NOK 475 - 2090 per person
Book now
First night-connection bus between Tromsø (Norway) and Rovaniemi (Finland). Save time and money and travel under the Aurora Oval (northern lights alert and stops included).
Read more information here
Daily operated bus route from 1 December to 31 March
Fixed prices, according to the distance you travel
Pick which stop you want to leave at
Connecting with airports
WHAT TO DO
3 hours
19:45
Kilpisjärvi, Finland
Drive into the night on a snowmobile in search of the Northern Lights in Kilpisjärvi, Finland: A magical night trip.
4 hours
11:00
Kilpisjärvi
A longer snowmobile tour of the lake of Kilpisjärvi including a tour around Kilpisjärvi, in the winter wonderland snowy forest scenery. A unique offer.
2 hours
14:15
Kilpisjärvi
Keen on exploring the tundra of Finland by foot, during winter time? Join a soft-adventure guided hike on snowshoes in the snowy landscape of Kilpisjärvi, just over the border with Norway in Finland.
12 hours
06:45
Kilpisjärvi
Visit Finland for a day, including bus transport from and back to Tromsø. Join us on a trip to Finland, only 2,5 hours away from Tromsø, to a magical place: the three border point, where Finland, Sweden and Norway come together. Drive your own snowmobile and this unique location.
WHAT TO DO
5.5 hours
10:00
Rovaniemi
Explore Ranua Wildlife Park, 80 km from Rovaniemi. Home to 200 arctic animals from 50 species. Self-guided tour allows flexibility. The park rehabilitates injured wildlife. Don’t miss the Fazer Shop before returning!
2 hours
11:00
Rovaniemi
Husky sleds, reindeer rides, toboggans, and kid’s snowmobiles. Meet Santa, ponder your behavior. Enjoy rustic lunch. Return with magical memories of this festive day!
2.5 hours
10:00
Rovaniemi
Ice fishing adventure on frozen wilderness lake. Learn to lure fish with special gear. Enjoy winter’s tranquility. Hot drinks served. Shh… it’s the town’s best-kept secret fishing spot!
2.5 hours
10:00
Rovaniemi
Explore snowy forests and capture stunning photos. Our expert guide leads you through breathtaking landscapes, creating unforgettable memories in a pristine wonderland.
5.5 hours
10:00
Rovaniemi
Experience the Arctic Snow Hotel via thrilling snowmobile safari. Tour this icy marvel, savor glow-fried salmon in a Kota tepee, and return to Rovaniemi with unforgettable memories of Lapland’s winter wonderland.
2 hours
Several departures
Rovaniemi
Master snowmobiling on this thrilling adventure. Experience the wilderness, pausing for hot drinks and serene moments. Perfect blend of excitement and tranquility in snowy landscapes.
4 hours
20:00
Rovaniemi
Chase Northern Lights at Lapland’s best spots. Guide captures photos and shares night photography tips. Memorable adventure with great photos guaranteed and possibility of northern lights.
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.
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.
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.
This international Finnish Airport is strategically located between the Levi Ski Resort and Rovaniemi city, also allowing you to arrive here and take the Arctic Route bus towards Rovaniemi or towards Tromsø, in Norway. During the winter, Kittilä airport mostly receives visitors from Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, and Canada. It’s one of the busiest airports in Finland.
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).
Located 8 km from Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, the Santa Claus Village opened in 1985. It’s declared as the official hometown of Santa Claus and here you will find many different attractions: Snowman World (a snowy playground where you can ice slide, ice-skate and lose yourself on the snow labyrinth and ice structures with an ice bar and an ice restaurant, among others), the Santa Claus’s Office (where you can meet Santa, talk to him and take photos), the Santa Claus Main Post Office (where you can send a letter to your family and friends, stamped with the special Arctic Circle postmark), among many other attractions.
About Arctic Route
You can purchase tickets online in advance or directly onboard the bus. Please not that only card payment are accepted onboard.
Based on our guests reviews
We took their bus from Kilpisjarvi to Tromsø [...]! The bus was in superb condition, very quiet and the driver was a wonderful elderly gentleman who was fun to talk to and an excellent driver. Very highly recommended.
Based on our guests reviews
A superb bus journey - the most beautiful bus journey we have ever had
Based on our guests reviews
We used them from Tromsø to Kilpisjärvi and back. They were great with friendly drivers, clean well maintained coaches and ran perfectly to time.
Based on our guests reviews
We took the Best arctic bus from Santa Claus Village to Tromso at the end of February. It was on time and the scenery along the way was great. The driver was friendly and the car was clean.
Based on our guests reviews
Take a bus through Norway to Finland in the Arctic Circle, 10 hours of immersive snow viewing, it feels pretty good! […] Before you know it, you're in Rovaniemi!
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