Helsinki to Rovaniemi Night Train: Timetable, Cabins, Prices and Taking Your Car

The Helsinki to Rovaniemi night train, VR’s Santa Claus Express, leaves Helsinki Central at 19:29 and 23:13 and reaches Rovaniemi at 07:20 and 10:59 the next morning, a ride of just under 12 hours. A private two-person cabin starts at €59, and you can take your car along from €49.

In short:

• Lower-deck cabins (3.3 m²) have a washbasin, with the shower and toilet in the corridor. Upper-deck cabins (4.2 m²) have their own shower and toilet.
• Prices are per cabin, not per person, so two adults share one starting price.
• Northbound, the 19:29 train is the one to take if you want breakfast in Rovaniemi and a full first day. The 23:13 train gets you there just before lunch.
• Going home, trains leave Rovaniemi at 17:52 and 21:00 and arrive in Helsinki at 06:27 and 09:15.
• Cars are loaded at Pasila in Helsinki and on the east side of Rovaniemi station. Vehicles over 2.60 m high or 3,300 kg aren’t carried.

Information checked on 28 October 2026 against VR’s official pages and Fintraffic’s open timetable data for November and December 2026 departures.

What time does the night train leave Helsinki?

Train 265 leaves Helsinki Central at 19:29, stops at Tampere at 22:31 and Oulu at 04:44, and arrives in Rovaniemi at 07:20. After a 15-minute stop it carries on to Kemijärvi and arrives there at 08:50. Train 273 leaves Helsinki at 23:13 and ends its run in Rovaniemi at 10:59. Both trains also stop at Kemi and other stations along the way.

Southbound, train 266 leaves Rovaniemi at 17:52 and gets to Helsinki at 06:27. Train 274 starts in Kemijärvi, leaves Rovaniemi at 21:00 and arrives in Helsinki at 09:15. These times come from the 2026 timetable for November and December dates. Check your own date on vr.fi before you book, because VR adjusts its schedules during the year.

If you’re heading to Ylläs, train 269 to Kolari is the one to look at. It leaves Helsinki at 20:24 and goes to Kolari (arriving 10:55) without passing through Rovaniemi.

Which cabin should you book on the Santa Claus Express?

The lower-level cabin in VR’s double-decker sleeper cars is the cheapest private option. It has bunk beds measuring 200 × 75 cm, bedding, power sockets and blackout curtains. The shower and toilet are down the corridor.

The upstairs cabin is larger at 4.2 m² and has its own toilet and shower. It comes with bath towels for two. If you’re leaving at 19:29 and arriving at 07:20, a private shower makes the morning easier, especially when you’re heading straight out on a safari.

VR also has special cabins:

• The cabin door is 90 cm wide, and the cabin has an SOS button, support rails and a point for anchoring a wheelchair. The accessible toilet is across the corridor.
• Pet cabins: room for two dogs or two pet carriers. VR provides a water bottle and a towel for the pets. The pet fee is €4.10–8.30, depending on how far you travel.
• Triple cabin: an older car with three bunks.

How much does the Helsinki to Rovaniemi night train cost?

VR’s night-train page lists Helsinki–Rovaniemi cabins from €59. These are starting prices for each cabin, and they go up on busy dates. A cabin plus a car space starts at €108 (€59 + €49).

Plan on other costs too. VR says tap water on the train isn’t drinkable, so bring water or buy it on board. You need to order the breakfast tray (porridge with berries, a French breakfast, or rye bread with yogurt) on vr.fi at least 5 days before you travel. The restaurant car serves dinner, and you can also eat in your cabin.

Can you take your car on the night train to Rovaniemi?

Yes. VR’s car carrier takes cars from €49 and motorcycles from €39, and Helsinki–Rovaniemi is one of its three busiest routes. In Helsinki, cars are loaded at Pasila car-train station, not at Helsinki Central. In Rovaniemi, loading happens on the east side of the station building and unloading on the west side.

• Your ticket shows the loading time. Most drivers drive their own car onto the carrier wagon.
• If VR loads the car for you in Rovaniemi, hand over the keys at least 30 minutes before loading starts.
• The maximum height depends on the train but is never more than 2.60 m. When you give your car’s measurements, include a ski box or tow hook.

Skis, strollers and luggage on board

Luggage that does not fit in the cabin can go in the baggage car for a small fee, and folded strollers travel free. Keep your ticket with you for conductor checks if you walk to the restaurant car.

Arriving at Rovaniemi railway station

Rovaniemi railway station is at Ratakatu 3. The waiting room is open daily from 05:00 to 21:30, so it’s already open when the 07:20 train arrives. It has luggage lockers in S, XL and ski sizes, from €3.90 for 3 hours. That’s handy if your hotel check-in is in the afternoon.

Arktikum is 1.2 km from the station. Linkkari bus 8 goes to Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle. If you’re arriving in December, our guide to Christmas in Lapland covers dates, Santa and prices.

Other ways to get from Helsinki to Rovaniemi

VR’s day InterCity trains also connect the two cities. Train 23 leaves Helsinki at 08:20 and arrives in Rovaniemi at 16:46, a ride of 8 h 26 min. The earlier train 35 leaves at 05:03 and arrives at 14:41. Day trains have seats only, so for most travelers the night train is the better choice: you save a night’s hotel and still arrive in the morning.

Flying is the fastest way. Finavia says Rovaniemi Airport has daily connections from Helsinki. Remember to add the time it takes to get to and from both airports, plus a separate transfer if you want a car in Lapland.

Frequently asked questions

What time can you board the Helsinki to Rovaniemi sleeper train?

VR doesn’t publish a fixed boarding time, so plan to be on the platform well before departure. Both trains stop at Pasila 7–8 minutes after leaving Helsinki Central: the 19:29 train leaves Pasila at 19:37, and the 23:13 train leaves at 23:20. If you’re staying in north Helsinki, Pasila is often the easier station to board at.

Where do you book Santa Claus Express tickets?

Book on VR’s night train page or in the VR app. You can add a car space or change your cabin after booking. VR currently sells night-train tickets up to autumn 2027, so you can book next winter’s Christmas and February trips now.

Is the night train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi good with kids?

Yes, it works well for families. Children aged 0–10 travel free if they share a berth with another passenger. VR’s connectable lower-level cabins have a partition you can open, which turns two cabins into one 6.6 m² space for four people. The modern cabins have free Wi-Fi, but VR warns that the connection can drop in places.

Is the train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi worth it?

For most visitors, yes. On the 19:29 departure, the trip happens while you sleep, one cabin price covers two people, and your car can come along.