The Santa Claus Express is VR’s overnight train, Helsinki → Rovaniemi.
It’s the easiest rail route to Lapland: board in Helsinki in the evening, wake up in Rovaniemi around eleven, then finish to Levi by coach, taxi or hire car. Levi itself has no station, so the train gets you within about two hours.
How it works
- Helsinki Centralboard in the evening
- Santa Claus Express · overnight sleeper
- Rovaniemiarrive ~11:00
- Coach / taxi / hire car · ~2 h
- Leviarrive
Onboard
Sleeper cabins
1–3 berths, some with a private toilet and shower — arrive rested. Seats are also available.
Car-carrier
Load your car in Helsinki and collect it in Rovaniemi, from around €39 in addition to your travel.
Closer to Levi?
The Helsinki–Kolari night train stops about 1 h 15 from Levi. Compare both train routes →
Live train times
Real scheduled Helsinki → Rovaniemi trains, live from Fintraffic — the overnight sleepers plus daytime services. Pick your travel date; winter times publish closer to the season.
Loading VR train times…
At a glance
- Route
- Helsinki ↔ Rovaniemi
- Duration
- ~12 h overnight (daily)
- Onward to Levi
- ~2 h coach / taxi / car
- Cabins
- Sleeper, 1–3 berths
- Car-carrier
- Yes · from ~€39
- Book
- VR (vr.fi)
Frequently asked
What is the Santa Claus Express?
It’s the nickname for VR’s overnight sleeper train between Helsinki and Rovaniemi, the capital of Finnish Lapland. You board in the evening, sleep in a cabin, and arrive the next morning — a scenic, low-carbon way north.
Does the Santa Claus Express go to Levi?
Not directly — Levi has no railway station. The Santa Claus Express runs to Rovaniemi, about two hours from Levi by coach, taxi or hire car. If you’d rather be closer, the Helsinki–Kolari night train stops about an hour and a quarter from Levi.
How long does it take?
Helsinki to Rovaniemi is roughly 12 hours overnight — for example departing about 23:13 and arriving around 11:03. It runs daily, with extra services in the winter season.
Can I get a cabin or take my car?
Yes. There are sleeper cabins (1–3 berths, some with a private toilet and shower) as well as seats, and a car-carrier so you can bring your car north from around €39 on top of your travel. Book cabins early for winter and Christmas.
How do I book the Santa Claus Express?
Through VR (vr.fi). Book the onward coach from Rovaniemi to Levi separately via Matkahuolto, or arrange a transfer.
Train times, cabins and car-carrier prices are indicative and vary by season — always confirm with VR before booking. Onward coach times via Matkahuolto.