The Santa Claus Express is the overnight sleeper train from Helsinki to Rovaniemi — a comfortable, scenic and characterful alternative to flying, run by VR (Finnish Railways).
The journey
The trip takes roughly 8–12 hours overnight, so you board in Helsinki in the evening and wake up in Lapland. It saves a night's accommodation and is a memorable part of the trip.
Cabins and comfort
Choose a private sleeper cabin (some with an en-suite shower) or a seat. Double-deck cabins are comfortable, and there's a restaurant car on board.
Bring your car
A car-carrier option lets you load your own vehicle onto the train — handy if you want to drive around Lapland after arriving.
Booking
Book early for winter, especially December, as sleeper cabins sell out. See our getting to Rovaniemi guide for all options.