Santa Claus Express Finland
The Santa Claus Express night train goes from Helsinki to Rovaniemi Finland. Rovaniemi is in Finnish Lapland and is the home of Santa Claus. This is not a direct route as there are other stops on the way (22 in fact). The train ride itself was comfortable and clean and a great way to save time and money on accommodation.
Staying in Helsinki for a while? check out my travel guide to Helsinki.
Santa Claus Express Night Train 10 things you need to know
1) The Santa Claus Express night train takes just under 12 hours to get from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.
2) You can either get a seat or a cabin to sleep in.
3) All cabins include bed linen, a pillow and a sink. You have a choice of whether you want an en suite or not (additional cost)
4) You cannot drink or use the train water to brush your teeth. You can buy water in the restaurant car but it may be worth purchasing before you board.
5) f you want to take your pet with you they have specific cabins for you. They also have accessible cabins as well.
6) It is advised to book your tickets in advance if you want a sleeper cabin. Tickets sell out quickly.
7) Food and drink are available on board at an additional cost. Some cabins do provide a bottle of water.
8) There is free Wifi on board however there were times during the journey when it didn’t work.
9) Make sure you have your Ticket/QR code handy as someone will come soon after departure to check your ticket.
10) There are 22 stops from Helsinki to Rovaniemi.
Santa Claus Express Night Train Schedule
There are a few departures from Helsinki to Rovaniemi. The route outlined here leaves Helsinki at 23:13 and arrives in Rovaniemi at 11:03. There are other options as well as a day train if that is what you prefer.
Santa Claus Express Route
Helsinki to Rovaniemi via Tampere and Oulu (this is the most common route)
Helsinki to Kemijärvi via Tampere and Oulu
Helsinki to Kolari via Tampere and Oulu
Turku to Rovaniemi via Tampere and Oulu
Santa Claus Express Helsinki to Rovaniemi
Trains from Helsinki to Rovaniemi Stops
Travel time 11 h 50 min. 22 stops.
- Pasila, 23:18 – 23:20
- Tikkurila, 23:59 – 0:01
- Riihimäki, 0:42 – 0:44
- Hämeenlinna, 1:04 – 1:06
- Toijala (Akaa), 1:29 – 1:30
- Tampere, 1:55 – 2:37
- Parkano, 3:22 – 3:23
- Seinäjoki, 4:11 – 4:15
- Lapua,4:32 – 4:33
- Kauhava, 4:44 – 4:45
- Jakobstad-Pedersöre, 5:22 – 5:23
- Kokkola, 5:48 – 5:51
- Kannus, 6:15 – 6:16
- Ylivieska, 6:39 – 6:42
- Oulainen, 7:00 – 7:01
- Vihanti (Raahe), 7:17 – 7:18
- Ruukki, 7:31 – 7:32
- Kempele, 7:54 – 7:57
- Oulu, 8:06 – 8:26
- Kemi, 9:32 – 9:36
- Tervola, 10:05 – 10:08
- Muurola, 10:43 – 10:44
11:03 arrive at Rovaniemi
Although there are a lot of stops it didn’t affect my sleep at all. I did sleep quite soundly.
Santa Claus Express Night Train Seats
There are two options that you have on the Santa Claus Express Night Train: Seats or Sleeper Cabins.
For a cheaper option, you can opt to get just a seat on the night train. I wouldn’t recommend this option as it is a very long journey however if you are short on cash this is an affordable option
You can choose your seat before you purchase so you have a choice of whether you want an aisle or window. There is also an option to purchase the seat next to you if you do want to have additional space.
Santa Claus Express Eko Class Seats
Travel in the comfortable and eco-friendly Eko Class. These seats you cannot lie down.
Charge your battery – at least one power socket for every two seats.
Free wi-fi (although it is quite patchy)
Comfortable seats with tray tables, reading lights and adjustable backrests.
There is also an option for you to travel in your own compartment for up to four people. This offers comfort and privacy for your journey as the train company does not offer individual seats in shared cabins.
Santa Claus Express Night Train Cabins
Santa Claus Express Upstairs or Downstairs Cabins?
On the Santa Claus Express, there are cabins to suit your needs and situations.
- Add luxury to your journey with an upstairs cabin which has a shower and toilet.
- The downstairs cabins are somewhat more inexpensive, with showers and toilets along the aisles.
- Cabins are for 1–2 or 1–3 people.
- You can also select an adjoining downstairs cabin (2 + 2 persons), with a partition that can be opened.
- The cabins have bunk beds.
- Our night trains also have accessible and even pet cabins.
- We are not selling single sleeping berths in shared cabins, which means the cabin is always used by only you and your travel companions. The price is cabin-specific and not dependent on the number of passengers. You can’t get a social discount from a cabin.
Upstairs cabin with en suite for two people
This cabin is a comfortable option for two people. The cabin has two beds and an en suite shower and toilet. As we do not sell individual sleeping berths in cabins, you will have full, private use of the cabin. You will find storage space for your baggage in the cabin and in the baggage car.
The upstairs sleeper cabins are like hotel rooms travelling on rails. The cabins are suitable for 1–2 persons, they have two beds and an en-suite toilet and shower.
- Bunk bed (sleeps two), size 200 x 75 cm, with blankets, pillows and bed linen.
- Bath towels for two.
- Socket for charging batteries, plus a socket for a hairdryer/shaver.
- Free Wi-Fi.
- The size of the cabin is 4.2 m² and the door is 55 cm wide.
- There is storage space for baggage in the cabin (maximum measurements of baggage that can be stored in a cabin are 56 x 50 x 190 cm) and in the train’s baggage car. The conductor will help you take your baggage to the baggage car. I did bring my check in case which just fitted under the bunks.
- Air conditioning, temperature controller and blackout curtains make travelling pleasant.
- Berth-specific keycards, with one of the keys waiting for you in the cabin door.
- A full-length mirror and a countertop.
- It is advised not to use the train water for drinking or brushing your teeth. They did provide one bottle of water for the journey however you may want to purchase more before your journey.
Upstairs pet cabin for two people (en-suite WC and shower)
In this upstairs sleeper cabin, you can travel with your pet. The cabin accommodates two dogs or two pet carriers. The cabin has two beds and an en-suite shower and toilet. As we do not sell individual sleeping berths in cabins, you will have full, private use of the cabin. You will find storage space for your baggage in the cabin and the baggage car.
- Bunk bed (sleeps two), size 200 × 75 cm
- Bedlinen and towels for two
- Two sockets plus a socket for a hairdryer/shaver
- The size of the cabin is 4.2 m²
- The cabins are equipped with a small water bottle, a water bowl and a towel for pets
- An upstairs cabin has a shower and toilet.
Downstairs cabin for two people
The downstairs cabins are a cheaper option than the upstairs cabins. The cabins have two comfortable beds and a sink, the toilet and shower are located in the corridor.
This cabin is a comfortable option for two people. The sleeper cabin has two beds. The shower and toilet are located in the corridor. As we do not sell individual sleeping berths in cabins, you will have full, private use of the cabin. You will find storage space for your baggage in the cabin and in the baggage car.
- Bunk bed (sleeps two), size 200 x 75 cm, with duvet and pillows.
- Bedlinen for two
- Two sockets and free Wi-Fi.
- Washbasin and a face towel
- The size of the cabin is 3.3 m² and the door is 55 cm wide.
- A face towel and a sink.
- There is storage space for baggage in the cabin (maximum measurements of baggage that can be stored in a cabin are 56 x 50 x 190 cm) and in the train’s baggage car. The conductor will help you take your baggage to the baggage car.
- Air conditioning, temperature controller and blackout curtains make travelling pleasant.
- Berth-specific keycards, with one of the keys waiting for you in the cabin door. The separate keycard for the shower located in the corridor can be found in the cabin.
- Please note that you must bring your water with you because the train water is not drinkable and should not be used for brushing your teeth.
For families with children:
- Children between the ages of 0 and 10 travel on night trains for free when sharing a berth with another passenger. However, travelling will be more comfortable when you book separate beds for bigger children.
- The cabin usually fits a children’s travel bed, the floor area is at least 75 cm wide.
- On the lower level, there is a toilet with childcare facilities and a potty.
- If you need a safety net for a child sleeping on a berth, you can pre-order one free of charge from customer support. The net can only be installed on a lower berth, and it will be already in place when you board the train.
- Prams can be taken to the cabin or the baggage car.
- You can bring children’s food to the restaurant car to be heated.
Services on the Santa Claus Express
- Designated pet area
- Bike
- Wheelchair space
- Restaurant car
- Shower
- Sleeper cabin
- Upstairs pet cabin for two people (en-suite WC and shower)
Santa Claus Express Night Train Restaurant
- The restaurant cars are open as usual.
- You can buy food and non-alcoholic drinks from the restaurant car and enjoy them in your seat.
- The restaurant car is licensed for alcohol consumption. Alcohol sales end at 1.30 AM.
Santa Claus Express Timetable
Here is a live train tracker map to see where the trains are in Finland.
Santa Claus Express Night Train Tickets
It is advised to download the VR app to purchase train tickets. Book in advance especially if you want a sleep cabin as they do sell out. Always have your ticket on you for the duration of your journey as you will be checked.
Android users click here to download VR App
IOS users click here to download the VR App
Santa Claus Express Price
For a seat only it will cost around €100. if there are two of you, a sleeper cabin could be more cost-effective.
A downstairs cabin is an additional €137+ and an upstairs cabin with en suite is an additional €157.
Santa Claus Express Bus
The Santa Claus Express bus takes you from the railway station to Santa Claus Village and Rovaniemi Airport. This option is great for people flying to Rovaniemi Airport and costs €8 one way, it also goes to Rovaniemi city centre. You can purchase your ticket on the bus and they only accept card payments.
Santa Claus Express Bus Route
Railway Station – Lapinkävijäntie – Rinteenkulma – Ruokasenkatu – Aallonkatu – Toripuistikko – Rovakatu extension – Santa Claus Village – Airport *( if necessary)- City centre (Rinteenkulma) – Railway Station
Santa Claus Express Bus Schedule
| Railway station | Santa Claus Village |
|---|---|
| 08.40 | 09.10 |
| 09.35 | 10.05 |
| 10.20 | 10.45 |
| 11.05 | 11.30 |
| 11.50 | 12.20 |
| 13.40 | 14.05 |
| 14.25 | 14.50 |
| 15.15 | 15.35 |
| 16.00 | 16.30 |
| 16.50 | 17.15 |
| 18.15 | 18.40 |
Santa Claus Express Bus Ticket Prices
One-way
Adult 4 €
Child 2 €
Round-trip
Adult 7 €
Child 3 €
To Rovaniemi Airport
8 €
You can purchase tickets on the bus and only card payments are accepted.
Santa Claus Express Night Train Reviews
Although the cost of the sleeper cabin is a little on the pricey side I would still say it was worth going on the Santa Claus Express night train to save time and you won’t need to worry about accommodation for that night. It will be more cost-effective if you share a cabin as it is only slightly more money than having two separate cabins.
The sleep cabins themselves were clean and comfortable. If you are on the top bunk, the stairs to reach the bunk are quite small and skinny. I love the extra plugs, light and storage available on the bunks.
The bathroom was a decent size. The shower which you will find behind the sink (you will need to press a button to slide the door to reveal the shower) was so cold however body wash was provided.
It is not recommended that you drink the water from the bathroom on the trains. They also advised me not to brush my teeth with the water so I would bring a bottle of water with me for the journey. You can purchase water in the restaurant car if you forget or need extra.
I would highly be advised to book your Santa Claus Express ticket as soon as you know you are going especially if you would like a sleeper cabin. These sell out very quickly.
The best way to book your tickets is via the VR app. You will receive a QR code that you will need to show the train conductor. They did walk around many times to check tickets very early on in the journey. You will also need to have your ticket on you at all times in case they do check.
