Levi has no station — the closest is Kolari.
The VR night train from Helsinki runs to Kolari (the northernmost station, closest to Levi) or Rovaniemi. A short transfer — bus, taxi or hire car — covers the last stretch: about 1 h 15 from Kolari or ~2 h from Rovaniemi.
Two ways north
To Kolari — closest to Levi
The northernmost station. The train arrives mid-morning and connecting buses (Tunturilinjat / Eskelisen) meet it for the ~1 h 15 run to Levi. Longer on the train (~14–15 h), shorter on the road.
To Rovaniemi — the big hub
Faster on the train (~12 h) and more onward buses, but ~2 hours from Levi. Handy if Kolari times don't suit — finish by bus, taxi or hire car.
How to get to Levi →The last leg: Kolari to Levi
Kolari is the closest station — about 80 km / 1 h 15 to Levi. Three ways to cover the final stretch:
Connecting bus
Connecting train-buses (Tunturilinjat, Eskelinen) meet the train right at Kolari station. Book ahead or check live times on Matkahuolto — or bundle the ticket when you buy your VR train ticket.
See train times →Drive / car hire
Route 21 north, then Route 79 toward Kittilä and Levi. Winter-ready hire cars can meet your train at Kolari station, or bring your own on the VR car-carrier.
Car rental at Kolari →Taxi
Taxis wait outside Kolari station at train arrivals — worth pre-booking in peak winter. Expect around €120–150 for the ~80 km trip.
View taxis →Levi train options
Real scheduled trains from Helsinki, live from Fintraffic — the overnight sleepers plus daytime services. Departures leave Helsinki Central and call at Helsinki Pasila a few minutes later. Pick your travel date; winter and the seasonal Kolari service publish closer to the time.
Helsinki (Central & Pasila) → Kolari (closest to Levi)
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Helsinki (Central & Pasila) → Rovaniemi
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Good to know
Is there a train to Levi?
Not to Levi itself — there is no station in the village. The VR night train from Helsinki runs to Kolari or Rovaniemi, and a connecting coach covers the last stretch. Kolari is the closest station, about 1 hour 15 minutes from Levi.
Which station is closest to Levi — Kolari or Rovaniemi?
Kolari. It is about 80 kilometres (1 hour 15 minutes) from Levi by connecting bus, and the buses are timed to meet the train. Rovaniemi is a bigger hub with more onward buses, but it is about two hours south of Levi.
How long does the night train from Helsinki take?
To Rovaniemi it is roughly 12 hours (for example departing about 23:13 and arriving around 11:03). To Kolari it is longer, around 14–15 hours, departing earlier in the evening. Both run daily and you travel overnight.
Can I take my car on the train?
Yes — VR runs a car-carrier on the Lapland night trains, so you can load your car in Helsinki and collect it in the north, from around €39 for the car in addition to your seat or cabin. It lets you bring your own car north and skip the long drive.
When should I book sleeper cabins?
As early as you can — sleeper cabins sell out fast in the ski season and at Christmas.
Do I need to check the connecting bus times?
Yes — check that the connecting bus meets your train before you travel. Kolari services are timed to the arrival but run on set days.
Where do I book train and onward bus tickets?
Book train tickets with VR (vr.fi); the onward coach through Matkahuolto or the local operator.
Are the times and prices guaranteed?
No — train times, cabins and car-carrier prices are indicative and vary by season, so always confirm with VR before booking. Onward coach times can be checked via Matkahuolto.
The Santa Claus Express →Rovaniemi → Levi coach times →All ways to get to Levi →