About 170 km — roughly two hours — from Levi.
The bus is the cheapest (from ~€35, with one change in Rovaniemi), a taxi is the simplest door-to-door option (~€250 per car), and a hire caris the most flexible (~€70/day). Here's how each one works.
Three ways from Rovaniemi
Bus
Cheapest. Airport shuttle into Rovaniemi, then the Lapland coach north.
Hosted arrivalfrom €725 per group
Met at Rovaniemi with bags handled and car seats fitted, then Santa Claus Village on the Arctic Circle beside the airport before the drive north — the long transfer turned into the first day rather than spent on it.
The Perfect Arrival Day — Rovaniemi · Lapland Concierge
See what’s included →The journey north
170 km through the fells — about two hours from the airport to Levi.
By bus
There is no direct bus from the airport to Levi — the road to Levi branches off before the airport, so the long-distance coaches leave from Rovaniemi. You make one easy change: a short airport shuttle into the city, then the Lapland coach.
- Rovaniemi AirportRVN — you land
- Airport shuttle into the city · ~10 min
- Rovaniemi bus / railway stationchange here
- Coach · ~2 h · via Kittilä
- LeviHissitie or Hullu Poro / Crazy Reindeer Hotel — arrive
Rovaniemi Airport into the city
Your first move is the Airport Express / Santa's Express shuttle into town. It meets arriving flights and runs frequently, taking about 10 minutes to the centre — board right outside the terminal and pay online or on the bus.
- Fare€8 one way (online or from the driver)
- How oftenMeets flights · roughly every 25 min
- StopsAirport · City Centre · Railway Station · Santa Claus Village
- SeasonRuns through the winter (short summer break)
Step 2 · Rovaniemi → Levi coach times
The Levi coaches leave from Rovaniemi's bus station and railway station. These are the real scheduled departures, live from Matkahuolto — winter ski-season dates included. Pick your travel date:
Loading coach times…
Long wait for the coach? Store your bags
If you land well before the next Levi coach, don't drag your cases around. The lockers at Rovaniemi railway station (Ratakatu 3, open daily 05:00–21:30) let you stash everything and explore hands-free. The bus and railway stations are a 7-minute walk apart (under 700 m), and the airport shuttle can drop you at the railway station directly.
Bags stowed, you've time to see Rovaniemi. What to do in Rovaniemi with a few hours →
By taxi
The simplest option: a taxi takes you door-to-door in about two hours, with no change in Rovaniemi. Taxis wait at the arrivals rank, or you can pre-book — worth doing for late-night flights. It's usually the best choice if you're arriving after the last coach, travelling as a group, or carrying a lot of ski gear.
- Journey
- ~2 h, door-to-door
- Indicative fare
- ~€250 per car (up to ~4)
- Best for
- Late arrivals · groups · gear
- Booking
- Rank at arrivals, or pre-book
By hire car
The most flexible option. The major car-hire desks operate at the terminal, and it's a straightforward ~2-hour drive (~170 km) up good main roads to Levi. Winter tyres are fitted as standard; a car lets you explore the wider fell region, Santa Claus Village and beyond during your stay.
- Drive
- ~2 h · ~170 km, main roads
- Indicative cost
- from ~€70 / day
- At the airport
- Major desks · winter tyres fitted
- Best for
- Flexibility & exploring
- Winter driving is easy on the main roads, but plan for darkness, snow and ice.
- Watch for reindeer near the road, especially at dawn and dusk.
- Book ahead in peak ski weeks — airport cars sell out.
At a glance
- Distance
- ~170 km, Rovaniemi → Levi
- By bus
- ~2 h coach + shuttle · from ~€35
- By taxi
- ~2 h door-to-door · ~€250/car
- By hire car
- ~2 h drive · from ~€70/day
The faster alternative — fly to Kittilä
If it suits your dates, flying into Kittilä (KTT)skips the ~2-hour leg entirely: it's only about 15 minutes from Levi, with transfers and taxis meeting the flights.
Compare Rovaniemi & Kittilä flights →All ways to get to Levi →
Frequently asked
How do I get from Rovaniemi Airport to Levi?
Rovaniemi is about 170 km (roughly two hours) from Levi, and there are three ways to cover it: by bus (the airport shuttle into Rovaniemi, then the Lapland coach), by taxi (door-to-door), or by hire car. Choose on budget, group size and arrival time.
Is there a direct bus from Rovaniemi Airport to Levi?
No. The turn-off to Kittilä and Levi is south of Rovaniemi, before the airport, so the long-distance Levi coaches do not call at the airport. You take a short airport shuttle into Rovaniemi first, then change to the Lapland coach.
How much is a taxi from Rovaniemi Airport to Levi?
Indicatively around €250 for the whole car (typically up to four passengers) for the ~2-hour, door-to-door drive. It is often the best choice for late-night arrivals, groups, or lots of ski gear. Confirm the fare when you book.
Can I hire a car at Rovaniemi Airport?
Yes — the major car-hire desks operate at the terminal, with winter tyres fitted as standard. It is about a two-hour drive to Levi on good main roads, from roughly €70 a day, and gives you the most flexibility during your stay. Book ahead in peak weeks.
How much does the bus cost and how long does it take?
The Rovaniemi–Levi coach is typically around €33–40 per adult one way (shown live per departure below), plus a few euros for the airport shuttle. Allow roughly 3–5 hours door-to-door by bus, including the change in Rovaniemi.
Can I store my luggage while I wait for the coach?
Yes — Rovaniemi railway station (Ratakatu 3, open daily 05:00–21:30) has self-service lockers from about €3.90 (small) and €4.90 (extra-large, 63 × 96 × 94 cm) for three hours, with ski-length lockers too. Pay by card.
Is it easier to fly to Kittilä instead?
Often, yes. Kittilä Airport (KTT) is only about 15 minutes from Levi, so a short transfer or taxi gets you there with no ~2-hour leg. Compare both airports on our flights page.
Prices are indicative and not booked through this site — always confirm current fares and times with the operator. Coach times are live from Matkahuolto (data © Matkahuolto, CC BY 4.0).