Winter in Lapland is pure magic: snow-covered forests, reindeer, the Northern Lights dancing over our heads, and long nights that make every light more vivid. If you’re planning a trip between Finland and Norway this winter, combining two “overnight” travel experiences — the Santa Claus Express train and the Aurora Express Nightliner bus — is one of the most charming, comfortable, and memorable ways to travel within the Arctic Circle. Below is everything you need to know about each, how they compare, and how to stitch them together into a seamless Lapland adventure.
What is the Santa Claus Express?
The Santa Claus Express train is Finland’s overnight train route connecting Helsinki in the south to Rovaniemi (and onward to Kemijärvi) in the far north of Finnish Lapland.
Where it departs from and route
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Departs from Helsinki Central Station in the evening.
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Key stops along the way: Tampere, Oulu, Kemi, ends (for many travellers) in Rovaniemi, which is often considered the “Santa Claus capital” of Finland.
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On some services it continues beyond Rovaniemi to Kemijärvi.
Duration
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Roughly 12 hours from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.
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The train leaves in the evening (around 19:30 or later) and arrives next morning.
Cost & classes / what’s included
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Tickets start around €32 for a seat or basic option.
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Sleeper compartments (for 2 people) start from about €219 (with shared shower) – prices may vary according to availability and season.
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There are different classes: seats, sleeper compartments for two or four people; some cabins have washbasin, some have full bathroom & WC.
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Family-friendly: Children under the age of 4 travel for free and kids aged between 4-17 with a child discount on the long-distance trains.
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Onboard amenities: there is a restaurant / dining car; power sockets; WiFi (where available); luggage racks; toilets and showers in certain cabins.
Pros & things to note
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You “save” a hotel night because you sleep on the train.
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Very scenic: as you travel north, landscapes shift, and if you’re lucky you might catch northern lights near Rovaniemi.
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Booking in advance is highly recommended, especially in high season (winter / Christmas) as trains fill up.
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Because of the night travel, preparation (warm clothes, comfort items) is key.
What is the Aurora Express Nightliner?
The Aurora Express Nightliner is a newer night-bus service operated by Best Arctic between Tromsø (in northern Norway) and Rovaniemi (in Finnish Lapland). It’s designed not just to move people, but to make the journey itself part of the Arctic experience.
Route, season, duration
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Runs every evening from 1 December to 31 March.
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Connects Tromsø, Norway ↔ Rovaniemi, Finland.
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Departs at about 20:00 (8 pm) and arrives roughly 07:25 am the next morning. So a journey of about 11-11.5 hours overnight.
What’s included & amenities
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Panoramic upper-deck glass rooftop for sky / Northern Lights viewing, when possible.
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Seats are semi-reclining; there are premium seats (especially those under the glass roof) and other seats with good visibility.
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Complimentary amenities: cozy blanket, eye mask, ear plugs.
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Onboard WiFi and power outlets.
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Evening stop (on the Tromsø → Rovaniemi route) at Skibotn Hotel for warm dinner and breakfast on arrival in Rovaniemi at Santa Claus Hotel.
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Digital Storytelling App: gives you stories, cultural, geographical, nature contexts during the ride.
Cost
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Prices start on about 3.300 NOK per person.
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Some tickets may cost more depending on exact seat type, timing, demand. The “from” gives you basic fare.
How to cross between Finnish Lapland and Norway by night bus
Here’s how you can combine the Santa Claus Express and the Aurora Express Nightliner for a trip that cross-borders (Finland ↔ Norway) and gives you both experiences: train + bus, plus plenty of Arctic magic.
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Start in Helsinki, Finland
Arrive in Helsinki, spend a day or two seeing the city (Old Market Hall, Suomenlinna, etc.). -
Take the Santa Claus Express (Helsinki → Rovaniemi)
Board in the evening, settle into your sleeper cabin, arrive early morning in Rovaniemi. Spend a day or two in Rovaniemi: visit Santa Claus Village, Arctic Circle line, reindeer / husky experiences, local culture, daytime winter activities, explore museums, local cuisine, perhaps try to see the Northern Lights locally if staying a few nights. -
Take the Aurora Express Nightliner (Rovaniemi → Tromsø)
Depart in the evening, enjoy the Nightliner bus: viewing stops, sky ceiling, overnight journey. Arrive in Tromsø in the morning. -
Explore Tromsø
Use Tromsø as your Norwegian Arctic base: Northern Lights tours, fjord trips, Sami culture, snow activities, etc. – check here all our offers, -
Return journey
Depending on your travel plan, you could return via flight, or reverse the bus + train combo, or even fly from Tromsø and then train or flights back to your home country.
Advantages of combining the Santa Claus Express train and the Aurora Express Nightliner
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Immersive travel: You don’t just fly in and out but truly travel within the Arctic night, watching landscapes, maybe catching glimpses of aurora from the bus or train.
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Cost vs time balancing: You “save” hotel nights by travelling overnight (on train or bus), and maximize daylight in Lapland and Norway.
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Cross-border experience: You get the Finnish Lapland vibe (in Rovaniemi etc.) + Norwegian Arctic (Tromsø) without flying back and forth.
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Comfort: More comfortable than low-cost budget buses by night, better amenities.
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Unique storytelling & views: With the Santa Claus Express train you have train atmosphere; with Aurora Express Nightliner you have sky ceiling & dedicated Northern Lights stops.
Overnight Arctic travel train and bus – what to consider
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Time zones: Finland is one hour ahead of Norway; you’ll gain/lose an hour depending on direction.
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Weather / road / train delays: winter travel in the Arctic can be unpredictable. Plan some buffer days.
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Book ahead: cabins, premium seats on the Aurora Nightliner, especially during December / Christmas / New Year & peak Northern Lights season sell very fast.
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Winter gear: cold temperatures, snow; ensure you have warm clothing, perhaps pack snacks etc.
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Border formalities: although Finland and Norway are both in Schengen, check any entry/exit rules (if any), and travel documents.
If you love travelling via unique, memorable routes and want more than just destinations, the combination of the Santa Claus Express and the Aurora Express Nightliner gives you a perfect Arctic winter journey: train comfort, overnight bus novelty, sky-ceiling aurora watching, and the chance to spend quality time in Rovaniemi and Tromsø. With preparation, warm clothes, and good timing, this combo can be one of the highlights of a lifetime in Lapland.
